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On the basis of what? All those elections and referendums? That's not typical dictatorial style, actually. You'd expect more in the way of edicts and proclamations from a dictator.
More specifically than just plain what, what that is so egregious that it would cause you to support the concentration of all political and economic power in Venezuela into the hands of a few who then use that power to line their own pockets, protect their own interests, and deprive everybody else of even the basics of a decent life?
I've known many Venezuelans in my life; I've heard more about Hugo Chavez in the early 1990s than a lot of Americans have since he took power, and I have yet to meet a Venezuelan who has anything but negative things to say about him. He's a lying scumbag dictator; he wants to be Fidel II.
He is forcing people to vote "his" way - "his" elections and referendums are far from being "free" in any way
He stifles discent - shuts down radio and tv stations. Uses threats -
On the basis of what? All those elections and referendums? That's not typical dictatorial style, actually. You'd expect more in the way of edicts and proclamations from a dictator.
More specifically than just plain what, what that is so egregious that it would cause you to support the concentration of all political and economic power in Venezuela into the hands of a few who then use that power to line their own pockets, protect their own interests, and deprive everybody else of even the basics of a decent life?
I would rather see that power in the hands of a few than in the hands of one.
And why does Chavez need to change these election rules, anyway? How is that improving the lives of his citizens?
Whether Chavez is a dictator or not is irrelevant. What is important is Venezuela is one of our trading partners, and we receive oil from them. It is therefore essential we take our own interests into consideration, not focus on another country's politics.
If Chavez doesn't suit this country, we need to find other sources for this resource!
On the basis of what? All those elections and referendums? That's not typical dictatorial style, actually. You'd expect more in the way of edicts and proclamations from a dictator.
More specifically than just plain what, what that is so egregious that it would cause you to support the concentration of all political and economic power in Venezuela into the hands of a few who then use that power to line their own pockets, protect their own interests, and deprive everybody else of even the basics of a decent life?
You mean basics like milk and cooking oil. There is a scarcity of these and other basic necessities because state run markets that have stifled competetion.
Hugo Chavez was born in a mud hut, the second son of two school teachers. Like virtually all of his generation growing up under the brutal rule of the caudillos and the Oligarchy, his life was one of austerity and poverty. Mornings, he fished with his father before school so that the family could have better food. Weekends, he sold sweets made by his grandmother in the market so the family could have enough money for new clothes and shoes. At 17, he was admitted to the Academy of Military Sciences (the equivalent of West Point) graduating as a second-lieutenant. There followed a 17-year military career, during which time he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He commanded paratrooper units and also held a variety teaching and administrative positions at the Academy during those years. In 1992, he led a 12,000-man coup against the caudillos. The coup ultimately failed, but not before Chavez was able to give an impassioned nationally televised speech that made him a household name. Chavez was imprisoned for the coup, but popular support led to his release in 1994. In 1998, he was overwhelmingly elected to the Presidency, and he has been easily re-elected several times since in elections that have been certified as free and fair by teams of international observers. He draws his support from the lower and middle economic classes...people who, since 1998, have seen their needs taken seriously for the first time in their lives. His opposition comes from wealthy landowners, industrialists, and communications moguls...the very people who made up the Oligarchy that oppressed the Venezuelan people for more than three decades before Chavez came to power. The oligarchs are tired of seeing the country's oil wealth wasted on the welfare of peasants and would like to return to the days when they kept all that for themselves. The Bush administration sides with the Oligarchy on this...
Without going into the arguement of redistribution.Once a leader sets himself up for life,changes the Constitution with strong arm tactics,and dismantles the election process to where it means nothing...that leader is no longer "for the people",and every leader for the poor,be it Chavez,Castro and such always falls prey to the "I am the one" mentality".
Saganista,pick your perfect candidate you would like to see elected president for America.
Fast forward 4 years latter your president now declares the Constitution void,declares MSNBC,FOX,CNN and all media to be state run with his oversight.Declares that election terms should be made to 20 years because he "needs" to retain the office to insure his just policies continue to protect the interests of the poor.
I can just say one thing to that scenerio,American civil war number 2.Of course most leaders who would do this know this therefore this is why they make sure only their loyaltists are the ones armed.
Once a leader sets himself up for life,changes the Constitution with strong arm tactics,and dismantles the election process to where it means nothing...that leader is no longer "for the people",and every leader for the poor,be it Chavez,Castro and such always falls prey to the "I am the one" mentality".
You'd have to admit there are some parallels as to what's taken place right here in the U.S. Some sublte things are the Dem/Rep are in it togehter. The idea that there are two parties with different views is an illusion at best. Therefore, the election process is basically null. The parties haven't been 'for the people' for quite some time as in hearing what the constituents say/want/need.
As far as the constitution goes, that has been dismantled in a sense via the authoritarion 'decider' for war. Plus, it is a 'living' document which is always (in the minds of power..) open to interpretation.
(off topic though...)
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Off topic again...
