Dictator Chavez?

[budda]

The 'populist' leader of Venezuela, now can rule be decree for the next 18 months, is this their version of the Enabling Act of early Nazi Germany?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/6315819.stm

[minimi38]

Also bought loads of new weapons with his oil revenue. Probably scared of a coup.

[Territt]

Seems like his just trying to do whats best for Venezuela

[Anomie]

This is actually the third time Chavez has received such authorization during his presidency and Chavez is the fifth Venezuelan president to take advantage of this power, which both the 1961 and the 1999 constitutions permit.

The majority of legislators discussed in depth how they trusted Chavez to pass laws that would increase democracy in Venezuela and the need to act rapidly because this is what the Venezuelan people are expecting.

'We in the National Assembly do not vacillate in giving the president the enabling law to legislate. The laws that Hugo Chavez will decree are laws destined to satisfy the immense majority of Venezuelans.'

When asked by international media if this decree signified a movement towards aggressive dictatorship, Venezuela's Vice-President, Jorge Rodriguez, posed a question of his own..."What kind of a dictatorship is this?" The enabling law "only serves to sow democracy and peace."

The last time Chavez was granted an enabling law was in the year 2000.

Did the shit hit the fan then?
So why then now?

[Disillusioned]

*Patiently awaits Aladdin's hagiographical defence of Chavez*

[Aladdin]

Well Dis if I were you I would simply be using that honoured trick of saying it's not of my business to comment on other countries' internal affairs.

This is a worrying move. However Chavez appears to count with the support of the immense majority of his people.

The man is by no means a saint but it is still disgusting that a certain nation keeps ceaselessly trying to overthrow him by any means necessary, no matter how illegal or dirty.

Seeing as they have tried numerous times to impose regime change in Venezuela it is possible he has genuine concerns of yet another US-sponsored coup d' etat. Then again he might just be becoming more power-hungry as time passes and starting to see himself as some kind of emperor.

In either case he's still far more preferable than the odious regime a few thousand miles to the north.

[ShyBoy]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

In either case he's still far more preferable than the odious regime a few thousand miles to the north.

What's wrong with Canada? They're all hippies and goths!

[budda]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

This is a worrying move. However Chavez appears to count with the support of the immense majority of his people.

Indeed, but many regiemes have been popular with the majority by punishing the minority.

With the oil prices the way they are its boom time for the country, I just hope the money gets put to good use, and the economy isnt managed too tightly from the centre.

[Toadborg]

Originally Posted by Aladdin

In either case he's still far more preferable than the odious regime a few thousand miles to the north.

Why?

The US is one of the most free countries on earth, more so than Venezuela I would hazard.

if it was Venezuela that was the superpower and the US the relatively small country I dread to think what woe that a man like chavez would impose on the world.....

[AllAmericanRageJunky]

Originally Posted by ShyBoy

What's wrong with Canada? They're all hippies and goths!

and that's why we got to nuke'em!

[Aladdin]

Originally Posted by Toadborg

Why?

The US is one of the most free countries on earth, more so than Venezuela I would hazard.

I don't think the average US citizen is any freer than the average Venezuelan... hell, at least the latter are not banned from visiting certain countries or import their products under penalty of imprisoment.

But there is a lot more to a regime than whether it is a democracy isn't it? The US government might not be odious to some of its citizens, but sure as hell it is to no fewer than several billion people around the world for various reasons ranging from warmongering and unwarranted attacks to political interference to pollution. Not since the darkest days of WWII there has been a regime that has generated so much hatred and despair.

if it was Venezuela that was the superpower and the US the relatively small country I dread to think what woe that a man like chavez would impose on the world.....

I wouldn't want to see Chavez with too much power either. I don't think he'd be worse than your average Republican US President though... certainly not worse than the chimp.

[Blagsta]

Originally Posted by Toadborg

The US is one of the most free countries on earth,

Only if you have money.

[Disillusioned]

Originally Posted by Blagsta

Only if you have money.

Yeah, cos the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights only apply to the rich.

[Blagsta]

Originally Posted by Disillusioned

Yeah, cos the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights only apply to the rich.

Come on Dis, you're not that thick.

[budda]

Originally Posted by Disillusioned

Yeah, cos the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights only apply to the rich.

They do if you have to fight your cause in the courts.