Summary of Venezuela

Source: CIA: The World Factbook

Venezuela is a country that is located in South America, which neighbors Ecuador and Colombia, two countries that formerly of "La Gran Colombia", along with Venezuela, before their split-up in 1830. In the Pre-Chavez era, Venezuela was a Democratic country that was ruled by military strongmen and was allowed for some social reforms. In other words, it was a pretty peaceful place, that's what it used to be.

However, when Hugo Chavez was elected president in 1999, he turned the country into a new and ominous direction, which he looks to put it in a "21st Century Socialism" and demolish capitalism and democracy in Venezuela, limiting in Free Speech and Liberation.

Since then, the country, was shrouded in Chaos and Violence, increased drug possession, and destruction of rain forest. Many citizens are looking for a way to let their voice be heard by millions of people worldwide and put an end to the Chavez dictatorship.

Economy Article

The article discusses about the current lawsuit that is given to Toyota regarding the number of accidents in January that were caused by malfunctioning gas pedals. However, Toyota's U.S. and Canadian HQs were not notified until after it was discovered by its European HQ.

Article from NYTimes.com

What is an opportunity cost?

An opportunity cost is the cost you pay when you give up something to get something else.

An example of this, is when you want to buy a new video game, but you also want to buy a new music CD, you will have to give up one thing for the other in some cases.

I have done a lot of this in my life, since I'm poor, I don't have enough money to buy two things at once, I have to sacrifice one thing for the other, and someday, I can buy the item I gave up.

What exactly is a stock and why do companies sell stock in the first place?
Stock represents partial ownership of a corporation, it serves as a security for the creditors of a business since it cannot be withdrawn to the detriment of the creditors. When you buy shares of a stock, the company gives you a stock certificate which shows that you own a small fraction of that company.

What is the difference between a public and a private company?
A public company is a company that has permission to offer its registered securities for sale to the general public. A private company, however, is a company owned by non-governmental organizations.

What is the Dow Jones industrial average?
The Dow Jones Industrial Average is one of the several stock market indices in America to measure a section of the stock market.

What is a blue chip stock?
A blue chip stock is the stock of a well-established company having balanced incomes and no extensive liabilities. They pay regular dividends even during economic meltdowns.

What is the NYSE and NASDAQ?
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and NASDAQ are two Stock exchanges that both serve an important role in the stock market, their job is to provide assistance to stock brokers and traders in trading stocks and other securities.

What is a mutual fund?
A mutual fund is a pro-managed type of investment plan that pools money from many investors and invests in stocks, bonds, and/or other securities.

What are some of the biggest companies on the stock market (in total value of their stock)?
Activision/Blizzard ($12,808.7 Million)

Electronic Arts, inc. ($5,246.7 Million)

Sony Corporation ($3,382.6 Million)

What is a stock dividend?
A Stock Dividend is payment made by a company or corporation to its shareholder members. When the corp. earns a profit or surplus, it can either be re-invested in the business (known as retained earnings), or be paid to the shareholders as a dividend.

List of grievances

The list of grievances I would give out are:

• Why can't the U.S. Government pay attention to anything we have to say about what's going on.
• People need to look into reality and stop complaining and stereotyping our president-elect [Obama]. He is an historical figure and hopes he will do something for the good of our nation, after we survived eight years of EPIC FAIL! (George Bush). Obama proved that anyone can be president, no matter what skin color, ethnicallity, or gender you are.
  

I would like to give out these complaints to the youth frustrated to know about what is going on.

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