Buenas intenciones

Argentina reinvented the Law of Supply (or so they thought);

Secretary of Justice Julián Alvarez responded to criticism of the Supply Law: “Is the Supply Law intended to force businesses to produce less? No. Is it designed to shut down businesses? No. The Supply Law is intended to address situations when there is scarcity of basic needs that affect the entire population and monopolies refuse to produce and sell that product. In that case, the state can request that a business take action, and if it does not, it will be fined.”

How appropriate that it's French companies that are the first to feel the government's power to disrupt;

Officials fined French automaker Peugeot AR$800,000 (US$54,400) for understocked automobiles and delivery delays in violation of the state’s automobile-subsidy plan Pro.Cre.Auto.

Following approval of the New Regulation on Production and Consumption Relations in September, which amended the Supply Law, the state gained the ability to set utility margins, maximum and minimum prices, and reference prices, as well as levy fines and force shop closures.

According to the policy, Peugeot must pay its fine in full before attempting to appeal the penalty. In addition to Peugeot, the auto company Renault also faces government sanctions, though the severity of their fine is not yet clear.

We like this response;

Martín Carranza Torres, a lawyer and president of the Liberal Republican Party of Córdoba Province, filed a criminal complaint against the legislation’s sponsors, as well as those who voted for its passage.

“This is an anti-republican law as it grants extraordinary powers to the Executive Branch, eliminating the constitutional guarantees of due process and the court system. It also strikes down the republican principle of separation and balance among governmental powers,” Carranza Torres declared.

We'll cry for you, Argentina. Just as soon as we stop laughing.