Since when, if ever, have the phrases “economic responsibility” and “South America” been seen in the same sentence?
With common sense in such short supply in the current Western world, we can take heart that necessity will again bring common sense into its rightful place if recent developments are anything to go by.
On the day Australians overwhelmingly rejected the expensive and virtue-signalling constitutional Voice proposal at the ballot box, their cousins across the Tasman Sea were ditching the last remains of Jacinda Ardern’s experiment in New Zealand which was wokeism on steroids, leaving a struggling economy the wake of a cost of living crisis.
It appears when populations start analysing the promises made by their leaders and observe, if not directly feeling the consequences, they settle for common sense.
Well done Australia and New Zealand.
But even more inspiring is the uprising of the Argentinian people—not just a sea away but a whole ocean away—who finally jettisoned big-spending government in favour of one that talks economic responsibility.
Javier Milei, of whom most would not have heard, is Argentina’s president-elect as of Nov. 19. He had only served two years as a congressman.
At the closing campaign rally, the supporters of the anti-communist Mr. Milei held a substantial sign depicting the soon-to-be-elected president wielding a chainsaw.
That sign captured the mood of the people which rewarded the relative newcomer to Argentinian politics with a handsome majority.
Sure, in South America, it helps to have a bit of a populist aura about you and Mr. Milei had it in abundance.
A soccer player and a singer did not go a miss.
Combining the talent of singing with hard-hitting political messages, Mr. Milei convinced the people of the need to halt the printing of money given the burden hyperinflation was imposing on Argentinians.
Courage to Stand Up
Confronting the political elites and returning to free-market reforms was the winning formula.The corrosive and stifling impact of inflation at 142 percent (yes, there is no decimal point missing!) predicted to rise to 180 percent left the way open for a fresh leader not tainted by the brush of political elitism to speak the truth and recommend common sense responses.
The undoubted cause of the hyperinflation in Argentina is government spending—in other words, a lack of responsible leadership and a disregard for the consequences of profligacy.
Ultimately, profligacy cannot be disregarded because it has devastating consequences, especially for the public. Many were likely seduced in the short term by the promise of government largesse provided through an overheated money printer.
Having the courage from opposition to promote the cutting of 19 federal departments to eight and openly proclaiming that the state is the problem, not the solution, provides a clarity of direction and leadership that needs exporting around the world.
Among the departments meeting their destiny are Western sacred cows such as the Ministry for Environment and Sustainability, along with the Ministry of Women, Gender, and Diversity. He also called the Ministry of Education the “Ministry of Indoctrination.”
Mr. Milei’s bold and necessary reforms will face the opposition of the lingering political elites and the architects of the demonstrably failed 21st-century socialism.
With resolve, they will be overcome because they need to be overcome.
Interestingly, some commentators see Mr. Milei’s rise as a harbinger of things to come in neighbouring South American nations.
I would like to think that the small government, back to basics, and focus on the welfare of the often-neglected parts of the population approach will not only seep across the borders into other South American nations but further afield as well.
Here’s hoping.
