蕭錫惠 | Hsi-Huei Hsiao
委內瑞拉的警告：撒幣政治會毀掉國家
當選舉變成比誰會撒錢、政策變成全民分紅，民主就開始走向墳場。看看委內瑞拉，原本是全球最大石油出口國之一，靠天然資源養出龐大的國家補貼體系。從查維茲到馬杜羅，政權靠印鈔發現金、全民補貼、免費物資收買民心，一度讓民眾誤以為生活「被照顧了」。
但當國際油價下跌、經濟失速，政府卻不願縮減開支、改革產業，反而更加依賴國營化與大撒幣，最終導致惡性通膨（年增1300000%）、貨幣崩潰、糧食短缺、醫療瓦解、社會暴動與800萬人逃離國境。這場災難，不是天災，而是民粹撒錢政治製造的人禍。
如今的台灣，也面臨類似的危機前兆：從「普發一萬」到「每人五萬Gogoro」、「地方政府喊話全民分紅」，這些口號看似討喜，實則違憲濫編預算，是拿全民未來換短期選票的政治詐術。一旦國家財政失控、人口老化加速、產業未升級、能源未轉型，我們離經濟崩潰就不遠了。
真正的社會福利，不是印鈔送錢，而是制度性照顧弱勢、創造就業、推動稅改與教育投資。委內瑞拉的教訓提醒我們：撒錢買票，不是對人民的愛，而是對未來的出賣。
台灣要避免步上委內瑞拉的後塵，必須守住財政紀律、杜絕民粹誘惑，並要求立法院為每一分預算負責。民主不是提款機，更不是提款完就跑路的政客秀場。
The Warning from Venezuela: Money-Giveaway Politics Will Destroy a Nation
When elections become a contest of who can hand out more cash, and policies turn into nationwide profit-sharing schemes, democracy begins its march toward the grave. Just look at Venezuela—a nation once among the world’s largest oil exporters, sustained by natural resources and an expansive state subsidy system. From Hugo Chávez to Nicolás Maduro, the regime printed money, handed out cash, subsidized everything, and distributed free goods to win public favor—creating the illusion that people were being “taken care of.”
But when global oil prices dropped and the economy stalled, the government refused to cut spending or reform industries. Instead, it doubled down on nationalization and reckless giveaways. The result: hyperinflation (reaching 1,300,000% annually), currency collapse, food shortages, healthcare breakdowns, social unrest, and the exodus of 8 million citizens. This disaster wasn’t a natural calamity—it was a man-made catastrophe fueled by populist money politics.
Today, Taiwan is showing early signs of a similar crisis. From “universal NT$10,000 handouts” to “NT$50,000 Gogoro scooters for everyone” to local governments touting “profit-sharing for all,” these slogans may sound appealing but are, in reality, unconstitutional, fiscally irresponsible budget gimmicks. They trade the nation’s future for short-term electoral gains. If fiscal discipline breaks down, the population ages faster, industries fail to upgrade, and energy policies remain stagnant, economic collapse may not be far behind.
True social welfare isn’t about printing money or handing out cash—it’s about building systems that protect the vulnerable, create jobs, reform taxation, and invest in education. Venezuela’s tragedy reminds us: cash giveaways are not an act of love for the people—they’re a betrayal of the future.
If Taiwan is to avoid repeating Venezuela’s mistakes, we must uphold fiscal discipline, resist populist temptations, and demand that the Legislative Yuan be held accountable for every cent it allocates. Democracy is not an ATM—and certainly not a stage for politicians to withdraw and flee after their performance ends.