Every now and then, CNN has someone on one of their programs that doesn’t twist whatever they’re talking about into a love fest over who dislikes President Trump the most. Sunday night was one of those times — even if one of the hosts tried to give certain politicians a pass.
Venezuelan expatriate and immigrant Daniel Di Martino joined CNN’s “New Day” on Sunday to talk about the conflict currently facing his home country of Venezuela. Di Martino’s appearance followed a recent op-ed he wrote for USA Today in which he warned Americans not to trust socialism, as the U.S. could turn out like Venezuela.
While the majority of Di Martino’s time on CNN was spent talking about the personal ills he and his family faced in socialist Venezuela, Di Martino was asked about recent developments in Venezuela as socialist dictator Nicolas Maduro clings to what remaining power he feels he still has left.
Here was Di Martino’s answer to the question of whether the U.S. needs to get involved militarily in the Venezuelan conflict:
I am suggesting that [Venezuelan] President [Juan] Guaido on Monday, when he meets with [U.S.] Vice President Mike Pence and with all Latin American leaders, he needs to call for an international intervention led by Columbia and Brazil, and that the United States must support worldwide diplomatically and rally all the region around this purpose. Because, look Dave [Briggs] and Christi [Paul], there is no other way out. Three hundred thousand children are going to die in Venezuela if we don’t do this, of starvation. Thirty thousand are being murdered. This is a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions.
Di Martino then went on to talk about his childhood in Venezuela and the point at which he and his family noticed the country changing for the worse. He noted how, beginning in 2010, the Venezuelan people were already experiencing shortages on multiple items and utilities, putting an emphasis on electricity and water.
“At the end the regime closed our borders, just like they’re doing right now with the humanitarian aid and destroyed our private industry,” Di Martino said. “By destroying our private industry with nationalization and price controls, there’s just nothing left to eat.”
Towards the end of the interview, CNN host Dave Briggs played defense for noted socialists Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) by saying the same tired thing that all people who classify as socialist tell others about their plans, ‘It’s not the same kind of socialism.’
“Now, just to be clear, neither AOC nor Bernie Sanders is pushing for a Venezuelan style of socialism,” Briggs said, knowing Di Martino would have no opportunity to respond.. “They want the Green New Deal and Medicaid for all but you’re saying that is perhaps a path down that road , but it’s great to have your perspective. Daniel Di Martino, thank you for your time.”
However, if Briggs had actually read Di Martino’s entire USA Today op-ed, he would’ve known that Di Martino addressed the Green New Deal and “Medicaid for all” that socialists are pushing for:
Additionally, many congressional Democrats support Medicare for All and the Green New Deal, proposals that would nationalize the health insurance industry, guarantee everyone who wants it a job and massively raise taxes, increasing government intervention in the economy like few countries except Cuba and Venezuela have seen before. Proponents think that they can give all Americans quality health care, housing and everything for free and that somehow, politicians can do a better job at running a business than the business owners themselves.
Maybe if CNN allowed their guests to respond to claims made by hosts, Di Martino could’ve explained to Briggs why socialism, in any form, is a “utopia” that leads to devastation — much like it did in Venezuela.
For video of the CNN interview with Di Martino, watch below:
H/T: Daily Caller