2008 Woodie Awards
Chavez's socialist policy moves paralyze democracy
Tom Speaker
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: OpEd Page
The year 2007 has seen many bewildering cries of praise for Hugo Chavez-Venezuela's controversial and theatrical president. He's received visits from several American celebrities such as Sean Penn, Danny Glover and Harry Belafonte-all of whom laud his criticism of the war on Iraq. After former UN ambassador John Bolton spoke at Miami University in April, some leftists were quick to attack how he avoided mentioning the poor countries that Chavez has supposedly brought out of poverty. Apparently, many people have come under the delusion that a socialistic philosophy automatically makes one a good person.
Chavez's supporters have consistently overlooked how he and his cronies have further damaged Venezuela's hitherto questionable system of democracy and freedom. In January, the country's parliament puzzlingly approved the president's request for special powers that would allow him to rule by decree. This fascistic approach is only supposed to last for 18 months-but if Chavez is allowed to be a dictator-who is to stop him from going on longer? It could be until his death-Chavez stated in a January USA Today article that a commission was being formed to oversee proposed constitutional reforms, including one that would allow "indefinite re-election" by doing away with presidential term limits that bar him from running again in 2012. He has even frequently insinuated his own intentions to become president for life.
Chavez has continued his oppressive trend by shutting down many of Venezuela's private television companies, unsubstantially accusing them of "subversive" activities-though their most egregious crimes were probably bothering to criticize him. The nation's oldest station, Radio Caracas Television, was closed in May, and immediately replaced by a channel featuring artists who sang pro-Chavez music. Several messages were broadcast that proclaimed, "Now Venezuela belongs to everyone."
Socialistic rhetoric like that is now found throughout the country as the administration clamps its perspective down on its citizens.
Chavez's supporters have consistently overlooked how he and his cronies have further damaged Venezuela's hitherto questionable system of democracy and freedom. In January, the country's parliament puzzlingly approved the president's request for special powers that would allow him to rule by decree. This fascistic approach is only supposed to last for 18 months-but if Chavez is allowed to be a dictator-who is to stop him from going on longer? It could be until his death-Chavez stated in a January USA Today article that a commission was being formed to oversee proposed constitutional reforms, including one that would allow "indefinite re-election" by doing away with presidential term limits that bar him from running again in 2012. He has even frequently insinuated his own intentions to become president for life.
Chavez has continued his oppressive trend by shutting down many of Venezuela's private television companies, unsubstantially accusing them of "subversive" activities-though their most egregious crimes were probably bothering to criticize him. The nation's oldest station, Radio Caracas Television, was closed in May, and immediately replaced by a channel featuring artists who sang pro-Chavez music. Several messages were broadcast that proclaimed, "Now Venezuela belongs to everyone."
Socialistic rhetoric like that is now found throughout the country as the administration clamps its perspective down on its citizens.
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