Story: " Humbled by his first electoral defeat ever, President Hugo Chavez said Monday he may have been too ambitious in asking voters to let him stand indefinitely for re-election and endorse a huge leap to a socialist state."I understand and accept that the proposal I made was quite profound and intense," he said after voters narrowly rejected the sweeping constitutional reforms by 51 percent to 49 percent.
Opposition activists were ecstatic as the results were announced shortly after midnight - with 88 percent of the vote counted, the trend was declared irreversible by elections council chief Tibisay Lucena.
...The defeated reform package would have created new types of communal property, let Chavez handpick local leaders under a redrawn political map and suspended civil liberties during extended states of emergency.
Other changes would have shortened the workday from eight hours to six, created a social security fund for millions of informal laborers and promoted communal councils where residents decide how to spend government funds."
Several things to note here:
- Communism was held at bay in Venezuela, if only for a short time. While the margin of victory was concerning, as this election was only of a 2 point differential, it is a victory for liberty nonetheless.
- Chavez has thrown down the gauntlet to the west on numerous occasions, and in essence, has done so again. We shall see just how long he allows pestering little things like elections get in the way of his power grabs.
- More then 50% of the country voted. What's wrong with the US?
UPDATE: Lenin is probably rejoicing with the results of the Russian, or should I say, Soviet, elections.
Putin pretty much just jigged his election to ensure a victory, with democracies in both the US and Europe crying foul. Gary Karaspov was harassed throughout the campaign, and his party was not allowed to run for parliament. Sore news indeed in what is once again becoming the land of Lenin.
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17 comments:
Sorry to say, I fear a bit for those who voted against Chavez. True to form as the communist thug he really is, I don't think he'll take this lying down. I expect him to begin pursuing those who oppose him with a vengeance. He indeed will not let a little election stop him.
I hope he repents before someone puts a bullet in his head.
Amazing...a 51% win against tyranny.
Of course, it came with a six hour workday and other entitlements.
The funny thing is: if "civil liberties" can be "suspended" for "extended" periods of time, who says those entitlements are assured?
Sola, I heartily agree with you. Even during the campaign they were harassed and fired upon, Chavez may extract some vengeance for this setback.
By bullet in the head, are you speaking of an assasination attempt?
KA, it was a 51% vote against tyranny, yes. But the election was also seemingly rife with corruption and intemidation, so even a victory against tyranny with a small margin is impressive.
And those entitlements, you have to know they don't go anywhere. Just look at Social Security... wait...
his future is still bright. he could get a tenure job in the poli-sci dept of any ivy league college.
Chavez is a bad guy.
Putin?
He does not seem to care much about democracy and my country has to put pressure on the Russians to investigagte the death of whats-is-name.
On the other hand, Putin seems to be a force for stability in Russia.
Russia does not have much of a history of democracy. It is hard to expect them to liberalise too rapidly.
What the West does not need in Russia is another Yeltsin.
It is a worrying situation if Russia becomes more democratic, but descends into chaos. I think the West can benefit from a strong Russia under Putin's leadership. It would be worthwhile to do our best to stay friends with him.
We still have to keep the pressure up for demorcratic reforms. Just not push too hard.
Every Blessing in Christ
Matt
PB,
Yes, an assassination attempt is one possibility, and it doesn't necessarily have to come from a Venezuelan civilian. It could come in form of a military coup, or perhaps foreign intelligence services. I don't know, I am merely speculating.
I do know this. Countries tend to defend their national interests, and if Chavez beats his chest too hard and begins monkeying around with the global oil supply, he could have lots of enemies aiming for his rather porcine head.
BTW, kudos to King Juan Carlos for telling this mammary gland with legs to shut up.
I guess that's true. I mean, I'd take a 51% win over the [liberal] democrats, even though it's inconceivable that so many people would vote for them. :)
Gino, that is always a comforting thought. Him and Noam Chomsky are already pretty chummy.
Matt, Putin may be a force of stability on Russia, but a rather violent and totalitarian stabilizer.
I would rather have a weakened Russian state splintered by anarchy then a renewed soviet empire.
Joel, his chest beating is rather bold for a country with such a small effect in geopolitics. Even with a large quantity of oil, his influence is petite.
Mammary glands with legs? I don't think I get the analogy...
KA, unfortunately not inconceivable. The teeming ignorant masses will exist as long as society does. :D
Ah, yes, the teeming ignorant masses. Perhaps I should say that it's sad that they're so teeming and so ignorant. (:)) Of course, part of the problem is when the Republicans drop the ball.
Ooh. I am almost embarrassed to spell it out. But here it is.
Chavez is a boob. Using the clinically correct term "mammary gland" spared me from the need to use a more scatalogical term.
I hope you forgive me now that you understand my attempt at being delicate. (snicker, guffaw, chortle)
I love the "...promoted communal councils where residents decide how to spend government funds." Wonder who the lucky residents are?
Sola, I understood the "mammary gland on legs". Perhaps you didn't express it delicately, but I certainly agree with your sentiment.
Jeana
Palm Boy, what's the nickname gadget just above the Anonymous option? Is it for people with no account, like me?
Jeana
KA, Republicans in washington frequently drop the ball. It's actually pretty unique when they pick it up to begin with...
Sola, I should have figured that out on my own... der.
Good description.
Jeana, I imagine the lucky residents are party members. :D
And the nickname thing is is for people like you, who enjoy commenting, but do not want a blogger account seen.
I think it's a better alternative to Anon comments. :D
Goody, goody, now I don't have to look like a liberal trying shark around and ruin your day! :)
Which is actually what I suspected of you when you first started here. :D
Did you really? Ouch.
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