Epicurus
Reasonable
In a move much like President Bush's authoritarian power grabs and suppression of civil liberties, Venezeulan ruler Hugo Chavez has decided that Venezuela's Constitution (which he himself implemented after taking power in 1999) places far too many restrictions on his presidential power and consequently his ability to force his own socialistic agenda upon his populace.
Chavez, who originally attempted to seize power in a violent military coup in 1992, has long been annoyed by the restrictions placed on his power by the country's Constitution. His proposed changes seek to remedy that "problem", as well as further his goal of a socialist Venezuela.
Among other things, the new Constitution grants him the power to run for election indefinitely, extend his current and future presidential terms from 6 to 7 years, personally manage the country's international reserves, and makes almost every institution of the Venezuelan government directly answerable to Chavez.
Dictators disguise themselves in many colors, whether it's red white and blue in Bush's America, or... just Red in Chavez Venezuela.
Any workable system of government must have checks and balances on the power of its chief executive and its legislature alike, and Constitution that protects the social and economic rights of its citizens from interference and restriction from the government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7119371.stm
Chavez, who originally attempted to seize power in a violent military coup in 1992, has long been annoyed by the restrictions placed on his power by the country's Constitution. His proposed changes seek to remedy that "problem", as well as further his goal of a socialist Venezuela.
Among other things, the new Constitution grants him the power to run for election indefinitely, extend his current and future presidential terms from 6 to 7 years, personally manage the country's international reserves, and makes almost every institution of the Venezuelan government directly answerable to Chavez.
Dictators disguise themselves in many colors, whether it's red white and blue in Bush's America, or... just Red in Chavez Venezuela.
Any workable system of government must have checks and balances on the power of its chief executive and its legislature alike, and Constitution that protects the social and economic rights of its citizens from interference and restriction from the government.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7119371.stm