Watch Chavez And The Completion Of Venezuela's March Into Socialism...Maybe.

Venezuela’s President, Hugo Chavez, faces a referendum today (Sunday) which would abolish his term in office limits (or not). With these limits dissolved, the transformation of his country into a socialist state would be a cake-walk.

Referendum- 1 a: the principle or practice of submitting to popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative b: a vote on a measure so submitted. (Merriam-Webster Online).

Chavez was quoted as saying, “Ten years is nothing. I don’t know what they’re complaining about…” and “Only here in Venezuela, that’s a dictatorship…” Well, no, President Chavez (AKA “El Comandante”), it is considered a dictatorship elsewhere in the world, as well. Especially when you couple it with these facts. Your Supreme Court and National Elections Council are both appointed by a Chavista-dominated National Assembly and that gives you nearly total control. Your success in this election would remove the last remaining thread “checking” your power. So yes, I would say dictator is not a stretch. It is interesting to note that he sarcastically referenced Franklin Roosevelt’s four-term election, yet failed to drop the other shoe. After Roosevelt’s death, the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution of the United States was passed denying anyone the right to be elected more than twice. George Washington showed great wisdom as our first Presidential leader of the United States by refusing more than two terms in office, and an offer to become America’s King. You know what they say, POWER CORRUPTS, AND ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTS ABSOLUTELY! Americans, we need fresh ideas flowing into our “MORE PERFECT UNION” and, if they are counter to the Constitution…stopped. If the “change” isn’t better…it’s “chump change”. "On Monday I'll wake up looking beyond 2013, and that will give me more confidence in what we're doing ... and greatly diminish political uncertainties," Chavez, whose present term expires that year, stated. Interestingly enough, a parallel can be drawn between Chavez and Barak Obama. Chavez’s popularity is largely due to the billions of dollars he has showered into “social programs”. I’ll leave the rest of the parallels for another blog. Chavez has not scaled back spending even though oil prices have dropped from $147 a barrel to $38 (today’s going price). Venezuela’s president makes no secret that if voters reject his continuation, for another decade—or longer (his dream), it will be hard to complete his country’s transformation into socialism. Additionally, if voters block the extension proposal, it would be a green light for the opposition as they forge ahead with their own election plans. Chavez was defeated in a 2007 Referendum and he could be again, however, nothing can keep him from continuing the fight if he loses this round. Fortunately, diving oil prices will soon force drops in social benevolence, which is tied to his popularity...but the vote is today. Keep your fingers crossed that they are smarter than Americans …and that Americans wise up!

Note: Which socialist or communist country has better living arrangements overall than America? If we go “socialist” we’ll go down-hill fast! Like Chavez, they can only dish out the dough until it’s gone!

Noteworthy: Upon George Washington’s death, Congress unanimously voted in his memory the tribute proposed by ‘Light Horse Harry’ Lee (father of Robert E. Lee ) ‘first in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen’.

May God bless America…and may America deserve it!

Zanne Booker 02-15-09