Socialism in Two Countries
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A Chicago Teachers Union delegation takes a road trip to Venezuela.
The Chicago Teachers Union is taking fire after a trip to Venezuela by a four-member delegation made the headlines. Critics say it was inappropriate for the union group to meet with officials from the beleaguered Nicolás Maduro government, criticize U.S. sanctions on the Cuba-backed regime and praise its socialism—all while traveling under the Chicago Teachers Union banner.
Yet in one sense the visit is fitting: The CTU really does admire Venezuelan socialism. The CTU president re-elected in May is Jesse Sharkey, formerly of the International Socialist Organization.
During the trip to Venezuela, one member of the CTU delegation endorsed dictator Maduro’s superiority over former Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel : “Through major economic hardships, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro never closed a single public school or a single health clinic”—this, she said, in “stark contrast” to Mr. Emanuel’s record.
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