While they have no problem saying that Bush is a dictator, a tyrant, and that he is shredding the constitution they are puzzling over whether Hugo Chavez, who has taken extraordinary powers unto himself, might possibly, maybe, seemingly, be compromising democracy in Venezuela.
This short segment is entitled,
Do Chavez’s New Decree Powers Undermine Venezuelan Democracy? A Debate
So why is there a debate?
Hugo Chavez has purged every last vestige of opposition from the government of Venezuela and yet still sees the need to be able to legislate by decree. What is the position of good leftists on this issue?
Dissembling equivocation…
JAMES PETRAS: These measures, as was mentioned, have a
precedent in the past, because there’s a great deal of gridlock in the
legislative process. Many of the assembly members, though formerly
Chavistas, run the gamut from Christian Democrats, Social Democrats,
leftists, and all sorts of other variants. So I think what he’s doing
is what a lot of presidents do, is taking — asking and securing
fast-track powers to push through an agenda. It’s not very different
from what US presidents have done in the past to seek extra powers to
deal with emergencies or opportunities to bring about significant
changes.I think this is important also because his social programs
have advanced enormously in terms of reduction of prices for consumers
in low-income neighborhoods, the vast expansion of the health system,
etc. And I think what the people are demanding is that these social
measures be accompanied by structural changes, which give Venezuela
effective control.Now, if you look at the specific measures, the 60% share of
the oil industry, these are joint ventures, and I think it needs to be
emphasized that the model of 21st century socialism that Chavez has
outlined is simply in line with a mixed economy. Nationalizing the
electric power is not something unusual, because it allows the
government to lower costs for downstream enterprises, and I think the
telecommunications also is a factor in spurring new investments and
profits downstream. I think, again, this business about concentrating
power — let’s not forget that Chavez was elected with 63% of the
electorate. He has a mandate, and this, to me, is a kind of plebiscite
to him to get on with structural changes and not merely welfare
measures. ~democracynow!
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