Chavez asking his people to make him president until 2031!

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez said Saturday that Venezuelan voters should have the chance to decide whether he should govern the country for the next 25 years.

This sounds like a very dangerous propostition to me. What do you guys think about this?

Here is the Full Story:
Yahoo News-Chavez seeking to rule until 2031


Kind Regards,
Digitalgrl

mod edit to use external quote code, please review this link

[edit on 7-5-2006 by DontTreadOnMe]

LoL im suprised by this. not suprised that he wants to do this but by the fact that he is actually asking the people.

yea when i found that article online i just had to post it on here. i was like omg..this man has some serious balls.

but do you guys think it will actually go through?
and if it does what does it mean for the rest of the world?


Kind Regards,
Digitalgrl

I dont think he can pull it off, unless he has a VERY good reason to do so.

The US is trying so hard to spin against Chavez that I'm not sure I believe this. They already tried a coup attempt in 2002, which failed miserably because people understand that Chavez doesn't want to sell Venezuela out to the US and wants a fair price for its oil. There followed a campaign of disruption and disinformation, and now the US has sent a carrier group to carry out 'military exercises' in the Caribbean right on Venezuela's doorstep. As usual, the US is desperate to get rid of anyone who won't just bend over for them. From the source above:

The Venezuelan Constitution allows a president to be re-elected only once in immediate succession. Chavez is eligible for re-election to another six-year term in December, but if he wins he would not be able to run again in 2012.

Polls indicate Chavez is likely to win the Dec. 3 election, and international observers have signed off on recent votes as fair.

Four government opponents have announced plans to run against Chavez, although not all have agreed to participate in primaries to choose a single opposition candidate.

Given the above, it's perhaps more likely that he would like to change the constitution so he can run again. Whether international observers would have signed off on the last two US elections is an interesting point.

Originally posted by rich23
The US is trying so hard to spin against Chavez that I'm not sure I believe this. They already tried a coup attempt in 2002, which failed miserably because people understand that Chavez doesn't want to sell Venezuela out to the US and wants a fair price for its oil.

Actually, this is the first thing I thought when I read the article. They want Chavez to look so bad. It's obvious folks! Why else would they focus on this little man instead of the HUGE human rights violators that there are? There's definitely a purpose to this, and I don't think that I'm going to take this article without first doing some independent research.

bad bad idea if u ask me...i hope the venezuelans realise it...another dictatorship in the making...

yea i know there has been some spin with this in america as far as chavez goes. but that doesnt mean that he is some great guy either. so instead of making this an american government conspiracy thread, lets just stay with the topic i started

what would be his motives for doing this?

what are his chances?

and what does it mean for the rest of the world if he gets this kind of power?

Kind Regards,

Digitalgrl

oh im sure that there is tons of spin on chavez, hell i even wondered if he could perhaps be a good leader for his country. howeverm if he attempts this any sympathy i had for him would be past tense.
i hope he doesn't get his wish but honestly now is the perfect time for him to do this since it seems to be the current fad to start standing up to america around the world.
what does it meant to the rest of the world? well other than more drugs in the US and higher gas prices, nothing new.

If his countrymen actually vote for this and its not rigged (Im sure USA will say it is as we have much experinece in these matters) then I say more power to them. Its nobodies business but theirs. With their oil and the little trade deals they got going with Cuba, maybe he can turn them around and take them out of poverty. Hopefully its for the betterment of their people and their country. I wish them luck either way.

Pie

Removing term limits. What's the big deal? Just because he's a leftist doesn't mean he wasn't elected. Better than the current Bush dynasty (That's right- America is probably one of the few democracies in which people can get away with having somebody elected prez just because Daddy is rich with powerful friends).

[edit on 7-5-2006 by Nakash]

Originally posted by JackJuice
oh im sure that there is tons of spin on chavez...
what does it meant to the rest of the world? well other than more drugs in the US and higher gas prices, nothing new.

Interesting. Why would there be more drugs in the US if Chavez gets in for several more years? And if you're sure there's lots of spin on him, why believe this article uncritically?

As far as the drugs issue goes, it's far more sensible to be concerned for the actions of your own government, as this thread demonstrates. ATS at its best.

Originally posted by rich23
[
Interesting. Why would there be more drugs in the US if Chavez gets in for several more years? And if you're sure there's lots of spin on him, why believe this article uncritically?

As far as the drugs issue goes, it's far more sensible to be concerned for the actions of your own government, as this thread demonstrates. ATS at its best.

Drugs because he is adament about his country growing cocoa leaves. it is why he got elected. Also about believing the article if you read my post i did say "if he attempted this" "if" in this context is a hypothetical meaning i wasnt certain that its true.

As for the drug issue and the US government. I am fully aware and will not argue your point. It doesnt really matter who brings the drugs in if people keep using them then someone will find a way to get them to them.

This is typical of how socialism works. Bribe the people, tell them you will take care of all their needs. Then BAM, proclaim yourself dictator for life. Sounds like Hitler to me.

Pat Robertson was right, we need to take this guy out.

Originally posted by JackJuice

Drugs because he is adament about his country growing cocoa leaves. it is why he got elected. Also about believing the article if you read my post i did say "if he attempted this" "if" in this context is a hypothetical meaning i wasnt certain that its true.

As for the drug issue and the US government. I am fully aware and will not argue your point. It doesnt really matter who brings the drugs in if people keep using them then someone will find a way to get them to them.

I think you may be confusing Chavez with Evo Morales of Bolivia.

Originally posted by Carseller4
This is typical of how socialism works. Bribe the people, tell them you will take care of all their needs. Then BAM, proclaim yourself dictator for life. Sounds like Hitler to me.

Pat Robertson was right, we need to take this guy out.

Would it surprise you to know that many people feel that way about George Bush? And he has already killed far more people than Chavez. And if you think it's ok for the US to 'take this guy out', why shouldn't people in other countries assassinate Bush?

As for "bribing the people": if bringing healthcare and literacy programmes to people is bribing them, then, yes, he's doing that. With money that the US oil companies would far rather be pocketing.

Originally posted by JackJuice
Drugs because he is adament about his country growing cocoa leaves. it is why he got elected. Also about believing the article if you read my post i did say "if he attempted this" "if" in this context is a hypothetical meaning i wasnt certain that its true.

As for the drug issue and the US government. I am fully aware and will not argue your point. It doesnt really matter who brings the drugs in if people keep using them then someone will find a way to get them to them.

Jack Juice, it does matter who brings them in; most importantly is the supply and demand of drugs, which is causing the whole problem in the first place. Chavez has been quite clearly outspoken about it - may I suggest you do some research instead of just reading the US centric media reports, as this is an interesting contradiction to a terrible problem in Latin America.

Part of the (current) trend of anger toward Chavez is that he had the 'nerve' to boot the DEA out of Venezuela, accusing them of using it as an excuse to spy on his country. He has also continuously criticised the US policy on drugs for concentrating on supply rather than demand something that I'm sure will be no great news to you.

He and other South American leaders have progressively been working on various solutions to keep drugs out of their countries - such as in projects like the Quito Act. But at times you can see what an uphill battle it is. I remember reading some years ago about how the US offered literary and humanitarian aid for these poor 3rd world countries imposing with it anti-drug mandates that were almost impossible to keep.

Let me put it to you this way - If you are a starving illiterate peasant, your choices are relatively few: provide food for your family from growing coca or starve. The chance to learn to read IF you don't succumb to the temptation of those good old gringo dollars to provide high quality drugs is really non-existent. Which are you going to choose if given the chance?

The demand for drugs keeps the poor populace (who has nothing else to grow) poor - No one until Chavez came along and cared for their interests. You can see how well democracy has worked for the poor rural farmer, who has been supplying the drug habit of the rich in the US; while the greedy politicos in Latin America prosper on the oil deals and pocket money that has meant to go on improving the health care and regeneration of the country.

Recently however, Venezuela and the US have agreed on a new Anti-drug pact that might help stem the situation of illegal shipments. So we can keep on eye on that and see where it goes.

One more thing for you to 'chew on' - when Bolivia's president Evo Morales was elected and did the world tour thing, guess who didn't invite him over for dinner? That's right - at the moment the US has no interest in Morales or Bolivia's drug problem - maybe if they turn up more oil and become pals with Castro they'll be some renewed interest?

Then Morales can join Chavez as the new boogieman for the 21st century.

I realise i've completely detoured your thread digitalgirl so here are the answers to your questions:


1. Seems a long time to stay in power - let's see if he is baiting again or just scared to death of another election.

2. Should the world care what Venezuela is doing ONLY because the US highlights that there is something to worry about? Seems to me if people are going to be worrying about what other countries are doing then it should also be worried about what the US is doing to those countries. The drug problem is a two way street and to simply point fingers and accuse is missing the point.

There are many needy, struggling states that are grateful and willing to be helped and not by setting up pawns in elections either - but I guess the poor and ignorant need assistance in being 'democratized.'


Links:
Venezuela and US anti drug pact: www.venezuelanalysis.com...
Quito Act: www.voltairenet.org...
Chavez says US drugs spying: news.bbc.co.uk...



[edit on 7-5-2006 by nikelbee]

Chavez is very influential in the area. I would suspect that the recent gas seisures in Bolivia by Morales were given the okay by Chavez who promised his support. To be fair he provides alot of money and help to countries surrounding him and in his own country although there is a serious violent crime problem and a corrupt police force, but hey i could be talking about the US when i say that.

[edit on 7-5-2006 by Peruvianmonk]

Originally posted by nikelbee

Originally posted by JackJuice
Drugs because he is adament about his country growing cocoa leaves. it is why he got elected. Also about believing the article if you read my post i did say "if he attempted this" "if" in this context is a hypothetical meaning i wasnt certain that its true.

As for the drug issue and the US government. I am fully aware and will not argue your point. It doesnt really matter who brings the drugs in if people keep using them then someone will find a way to get them to them.

Jack Juice, it does matter who brings them in; most importantly is the supply and demand of drugs, which is causing the whole problem in the first place. Chavez has been quite clearly outspoken about it - may I suggest you do some research instead of just reading the US centric media reports, as this is an interesting contradiction to a terrible problem in Latin America.

Can you please read my post before you attempt to jump all over me and try to put words into my mouth. Allow me to Direct you to the last sentence in my previous post infact i will requote it again so that you can't miss it.

Originally posted by JackJuice
It doesnt really matter who brings the drugs in if people keep using them then someone will find a way to get them to them.

Basically your meager attempt at lambasting me was to repeat exactly what i had already said then to tell me to do more research. I knew there was a reason that i don't post on this forum very often.

[edit on 7-5-2006 by JackJuice]

Jackjuice

I think you have the wrong idea. My aim was not to lambast you at all. I was trying to explain the unfortunate drug problem in Latin America and why it is unfair to pin the blame solely on the countries manufacturing the drugs. My rhetoric was not directed at you. It is fair to say that in order to argue something, one must be well informed about the various different sides of the argument. I was acting as devil's advocate for the 'war on drugs'.

Chavez has many faults and Venezuela (like a lot of South America) is in need of serious economic, political and progressive help. I just think it is too easy to accept the propaganda about Chavez' *evil* socialism because it echoes the US government's agenda.