I WOULD like to add to Mr Siret’s comments about Venezuela and socialism in general.

Under Chavez the living standards of Venezuelans have improved greatly, despite the attempt by the US Government to subvert their democracy. Poverty has been cut in half, millions have access to free health care, college enrolment has doubled, with free tuition for most students. Contrast that with pre-Chavez times with real income per person actually falling by 14 per cent between 1980 and 1998.

The USA’s main concern revolves around the preservation of the petrodollar and Venezuela’s oil, just as in the case of Iraq, Iran and Libya.

Also in regards to Cuba, which someone mentioned a short while ago. True incomes in Cuba are controlled and pathetically low but then again so are basic requirement prices, which are combined with free accommodation, health care and education. Life expectancy in Cuba is higher than in the USA.

Unfortunately in the UK, us plebs have been indoctrinated to believe socialism is a dirty word but the need for it in the modern world is higher than ever.

It’s time the railways were re-nationalised – we have the highest fares and most unreliable railways in western Europe. It’s time gas and electricity were re-nationalised – we live in a country where people cannot afford to turn their heating on, while power companies make obscene profits.

It’s time house building was nationalised, instead of printing billions through ‘quantitative easing’ to give to banks who merely go on another gambling spree.

I’m not suggesting that we should become totally socialist, but a mixture of socialism and capitalism is best for everyone.

R. LEE, Burford Road, Witney