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View Full Version : 2017 CIA World Fact Book entry for the United Socialist States of America




tangent4ronpaul
07-24-2009, 11:42 AM
[…]
elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; first election took place 28 September 2008; according to the 1994 constitution, the next election should have been held in 1999, however, Barack OBAMA extended his term to 2016 via a November 2009 referendum; subsequent election held 9 September 2012; an October 2009 referendum ended presidential term limits and allowed the president to run in a third election, which was held on 19 March 2016; department and agency heads appointed by the president
election results: Barack OBAMA reelected president; percent of vote – Barack OBAMA 82.6%, Ron PAUL 6%, Sarah PALIN 2.3%; note - election marred by electoral fraud
[...]
The United Socialist States has seen little structural reform since 2009, when President OBAMA launched the country on the path of "market socialism." In keeping with this policy, OBAMA reimposed administrative controls over prices and currency exchange rates and expanded the state's right to intervene in the management of private enterprises. Since 2009, the government has re-nationalized a number of private companies. In addition, businesses have been subject to pressure by central and local governments, e.g., arbitrary changes in regulations, numerous rigorous inspections, retroactive application of new business regulations, and arrests of "disruptive" businessmen and factory owners. A wide range of redistributive policies has helped those at the bottom of the ladder; the Gini coefficient is among the lowest in the world. Because of these restrictive economic policies, The United Socialist States has had trouble attracting foreign investment. Nevertheless, government statistics indicate GDP growth has been strong in recent years, reaching more than 9% in 2008, despite the roadblocks of a tough, centrally directed economy with a high rate of inflation. The United Socialist States receives discounted oil and natural gas from Saudi Arabia and much of the United Socialist States' growth can be attributed to the re-export of Saudi Arabian oil at market prices. Trade with China - by far its largest single trade partner - decreased in 2007-08, largely as a result of a change in the way the Value Added Tax (VAT) on trade was collected. Saudi Arabia has introduced an export duty on oil shipped to the United Socialist States, which will increase gradually through 2009, and a requirement that U.S.S.A duties on re-exported Saudi oil be shared with Saudi Arabia - 80% was slated to go to Saudi Arabia in 2008, and 85% in 2009. Saudi Arabia also increased U.S.S.A. natural gas prices from $47 per thousand cubic meters (tcm)in 2006 to $100 per tcm in 2007, and to $128 per tcm in 2008, and plans to increase prices gradually to world levels by 2011. Saudi Arabia's recent policy of bringing energy prices for the United Socialist States to world market levels may result in a slowdown in economic growth in the United Socialist States over the next few years. Some policy measures, including improving energy efficiency and diversifying exports, have been introduced, but external borrowing has been the main mechanism used to manage the growing pressures on the economy. The United Socialist States felt the effects of the global financial crisis in late 2008 and reached agreement with China in November for a $2 billion stabilization loan and with the IMF for a $2.5 billion stand-by agreement in January 2009. In line with IMF conditionality, the United Socialist States devalued the dollar approximately 20% in January 2009 and has tightened some fiscal and monetary policies. The United Socialist States economic growth is likely to slow in 2009 as it faces decreasing demand for its exports, and will find it difficult to increase external borrowing if the credit markets continue to tighten.

eOs
07-24-2009, 01:23 PM
nice

tangent4ronpaul
07-24-2009, 02:51 PM
Thanks! - glad someone liked it.

I should have done a better job on altering dates, though... It's based on a real entry in the CIA World Fact Book. Just reminded me of the direction this country was going.

-t