Argentina's Mileise: Retailers report wholesale price hikes averaging 40%, ahead of shock devaluation

[peppertree]

2. Argentina's RW played a good game of good cop, bad cop

Whereby Milei would scream out the most outrageous policy changes - followed by a parade of nicely-dressed talking heads and surrogates that would promptly downplay his statements.

Many really didn't think he would follow through - but as you pointed out, they should have.

After all, it's the same trick Trump's pal Macri pulled on voters in 2015 - with similar, albeit milder, results.

That said - yes, some realized all this and approved anyway. It's the same, "no free lunch" self-righteousness you see in Republicans.

"If you buy or use something, you should pay what it's worth!" they'll sniff.

Except that what the government might "save" by cutting subsidies (mainly in the case of fares and utilities - which will now probably triple), Milei would more than give away in the form of tax cuts to the rich and big business.

They forget that part.