Argentina hit by nationwide strike over inflation

A nationwide strike paralyzedArgentina's economy on Thursday, shutting down air, train and bus traffic, closingbusinesses and ports and emptying classrooms. The strike also stopped all non-emergency hospital attention, left garbage in emptied streets and complicated manyother aspects of life in the South American nation, according to AP.Labor leaders want higher pay, lower taxes and millions of dollars they say areowed to union-run health care providers. The government disputes this debt to thefunds, which the unions lost total control of after being accused of misusing themoney.All Argentines are struggling with 30 percent inflation, but any money for pay raiseshas to come from somewhere, and analysts say the economy has almost stoppedgrowing for lack of confidence in the country's future.Many worry that President Cristina Fernandez, who rules with decree power overmany aspects of Argentina's economy, is squeezing the middle class by raising taxesand fees and cutting subsidies as she seeks funds to appease the unions and othersectors that could threaten her government.Fernandez was dismissive of the strike.