While this CIA backed coup is trumpeted by certin schools of thought as a perfect example of US imperialism and obnoxiousness in the modern world, they would be wise to actually learn a little about the situation before they launch into an anti-American diatribe. Although he branded himself a "socialist," he had a close relationship with the Chilean Communist party:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salvador_Allende. While much attention is paid to the US owned copper mines he nationalized, he held far more insidious intentions. He intended to seize all property holdings of over 80 hectares, a clear violation of individual liberty and property rights. Within time, his moronic policies led to massive hyperinflation and a collapse of the Chilean economy, a result that could have been easily predicted. Then he began requisitioning private trucks and other vehicles for use by the government. At this point, he was losing control of the country, and was starting to implement dictatorial policies and ignore the court system he was responsible for protecting.
The Declaration of Independence states that all individuals are entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness (which includes property rights to a large degree). When a government becomes destructive towards these ends, it is the Right and Duty of the people to overthrow the government and institute new protections for these rights. The Chilean government under Allende had obviously reached this point. The United States, by virtue of its founding thesis, has the obligation to assist individuals all around the world in their quest for liberty. While one may not agree with the particular action of installing Pinochet, himself a terrible dictator, but at least one who held individual rights to be of some importance, any true American (in the ideological sense) should find it difficult to take the view that Allende's anti-freedom policies should have been allowed to fully take their course.
