Chavez's urgings are, uh, well, ignored!

President Hugo Chavez has been urging the citizens of Venezuela to adopt socialist values.

The national response has been a culture of consumerism, flourishing as an oil boom ignites the nation's economy.

Consumers are buying everything. Shopping malls are springing up. Banks are competing for clients by cutting consumer loan rates in half. Everything is selling, except socialism.

The oil industry, which accounts for 78% of Venezuela's exports, and 14% of the country's gross domestic product, has been booming, setting off a consumption trend that is touching all social classes, increasing the work-force.

However, Chavez cannot recognize capitalism if it hit him square in the face. He calls the positive economic change "Part of our policy seeking equality," since even the poorer citizens of his nation are benefiting.

Granted, oil revenue is primarily guzzled up by the government, but if consumer spending continues as it does, Venezuela may spit back socialism when Chavez finally tries to fully enforce it.