By Susan Wright

Few would think of the Democratic Socialist nation of Venezuela.

If you ask the idealistic, budding Socialists of the United States about Socialism, you’d get their explanations of the virtues of Socialism, pulled from their readings and indoctrination, but not any real experience with Socialism.

If you ask people who have actually lived under Socialism, however, you get horror stories.

I’ve been bringing you the story of the crisis in Venezuela, because the coverage of what is happening in the streets and under the leadership of President Maduro is spotty, at best.

If you go to the World Socialist Movement site, it defines Socialism in these rosy terms:

In socialism, everybody would have free access to the goods and services designed to directly meet their needs and there need be no system of payment for the work that each individual contributes to producing them. All work would be on a voluntary basis. Producing for needs means that people would engage in work that has a direct usefulness. The satisfaction that this would provide, along with the increased opportunity to shape working patterns and conditions, would bring about new attitudes to work.

It sounds really positive and people-oriented, which may be why those who have no idea what it is to live under Socialism seem so eager to try it out here. They actually believe that under the right leadership, and given the mystical, magical shield of America, we could, somehow, do right with a system that is destroying the nation of Venezuela. Just within the month of April, unrest in the streets has resulted in the deaths of over 30 citizens.

Americans on either side of the political aisle are clueless to the treacherous nature of Socialism. That is both a blessing and a curse.

A blessing, because no one should have to live in those conditions, and we have been spared.

A curse, because a few words of propaganda have convinced too many that we’re missing out on a better form of government.

Prager University put out an amazing video that goes right into the heart of the unrest in Venezuela and allows a look at what life is like for those living in Democratic Socialist HELL.

A nation that should be one of the richest, most vibrant in the world is a dystopian nightmare.

The video runs 9:21, so this is not going to take a huge bite out of your day, so please, take a look, and then pass this on to as many as you can (especially any friends or family members that may be supporting this ideal of what they think Socialism is).

And pray for Venezuela.

And if you are so moved, donate to the Helping Venezuela GoFundMe page, which is a grassroots effort to feed the most needy in one Venezuelan community.