In Praise of Competence
31st August 2026
Before Caesar Chavez, Venezuela leased its oilfields to American companies who drilled, pumped, and transported oil. The companies generated profits which they shared with the Venezuela government. Then, Chavez and the socialists came in; kicked the American companies out; seized all their equipment; and began drilling, pumping, and transporting the oil themselves so that they could keep more of the profits. Over time, the equipment declined due to inadequate maintenance. As the decline continued, the amount of oil drilled, pumped, and transported also declined. The socialists blamed others and vowed to fix the problems, but the decline continued. The post-Maduro government, at gunpoint, is now putting America companies back in charge.
Until the next Democrat President gives it all away again.
Florida is hot, muggy, and flat. Much of Florida is uninhabitable swampland. Hurricanes happen in Florida. The historic concentration of money and talent in New York City is unsurpassed. New York City has been the real “city that could” for generations. California’s natural gifts, and the talent those gifts attracted, made California our most populated, our richest, and our most visited state. Vast areas of Texas are attractive only to Texans. The most beautiful parts of Texas would be considered below average in many states.
The defining story, so far, of the American 21st Century is the migration of wealth and talent out of California and New York into Florida and Texas.