Chavez puts brakes on socialist drive (toning down rhetoric, becoming more pragmatic)

AP on Yahoo ^ | 1/06/08 | Christopher Toothaker - ap

[NormsRevenge]

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez vowed Sunday to tackle everyday problems from soaring crime to trash-strewn streets, adopting a more pragmatic approach to governance and toning down his revolutionary rhetoric a month after a stinging electoral defeat.

Voters in December rejected a radical overhaul of Venezuela's constitution that would have greatly expanded Chavez's powers and enshrined socialism. Chavez acknowledged his government would have to review its priorities.

"I'm forced to reduce the speed of the march," Chavez said, urging new members of his Cabinet to "accept reality" and "put their feet on the ground."

"This will be the year of the three R's: Revision, rectification and relaunching," he said.

A close ally of Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Chavez spent much of 2007 promoting his idyllic vision of a new Venezuela transformed through "21st-century socialism," and he began by nationalizing the country's electricity, telecommunications, natural gas and oil industries.

But Venezuelans tugged on the reins in December, narrowly voting down his far-reaching constitutional changes — and forcing the former paratroop commander to rethink his strategy for remaking this oil-rich, yet poverty-stricken South American nation.

"The problem is not an abstract ideology, it's putting it to work," said Steve Ellner, a political science professor at Venezuela's University of the East. "The ideologues have to demonstrate the ideology can work."

Ellner expects Chavez to shelve "ambitious schemes that may be criticized as impractical," such as building offshore cities similar in design to oil platforms in the Caribbean Sea.

Instead the government is turning its attention to entrenched problems such as high crime and rampant corruption — which some say Chavez has failed to correct nine years after he was first elected.

Polls show that rising crime rates — among the highest in the Western Hemisphere — are a leading concern for Venezuelans. The Justice Ministry reported 9,402 homicides in the country of 23 million in 2005 but has yet to reveal complete figures for 2006 or 2007.

"Insecurity and corruption, they are inherited evils that we must stop cold and not allow to continue expanding. If we don't stop them, they become the biggest enemy of our revolution," Chavez said Sunday during his weekly radio and TV show. "I call for us to fight more successfully against these scourges."

Venezuela also faces challenges such as a 22.5 percent annual inflation rate last year — the steepest in Latin America — and shortages of staples like milk, eggs, sugar and beef that have prompted consumers to question the government's economic policies, including price controls.

Others complain of bumper-to-bumper traffic that clogs the streets of Venezuela's increasingly chaotic capital, as well as ineffectual garbage collection in Caracas and other major cities.

"In a socialist country the streets cannot be filled with trash," Chavez said.

[kinoxi]

Does he have an Obama ‘08 sticker yet?

[buffyt]

Yeah, right.....

[oneamericanvoice]

Venezuela also faces challenges such as a 22.5 percent annual inflation rate last year — the steepest in Latin America — and shortages of staples like milk, eggs, sugar and beef that have prompted consumers to question the government's economic policies, including price controls. Hmmm. Sounds like the old Soviet Union. Guess Hugo isn't a fan of history. Maybe the people of Venzuela can reenact Che's "triumphant" return to Bolivia.

[Army Air Corps]

"In a socialist country the streets cannot be filled with trash," Chavez said.

I beg to differ. Most descriptions that I have heard of major cities in socialist countries include tales of filth, muck, and detritus in the streets.

[EagleUSA]

What? You mean someone told him that socialism (communism) have NEVER worked??? Maybe that someone should tell our socialist Congress the same thing...along with the DNC.

[buffyt]

The Republicans and the Democraps will both march us toward Socialism/communism...
The Demoncarps will just get us there faster....
sad but true

Neither side has the balls to stop this march.

[VeniVidiVici]

"In a socialist country the streets cannot be filled with trash," Chavez said.

True. This is reserved for the Office of the President.

[Zuben Elgenubi]

"The problem is not an abstract ideology, it's putting it to work," said Steve Ellner, a political science professor at Venezuela's University of the East. "The ideologues have to demonstrate the ideology can work."

There are plenty of Kennedys in the Northeast eager to assist.

[goldstategop]

Socialism works so well it leads to high inflation, increased crime and mounds of trash. Plus government graft and corruption. Comrade Chavez has acknowledged the revolution has produced evils! Quelle surprise!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Thrownatbirth]

Chavez has delivered, in seemingly record time, all the usual ravages of socialism but with rampant crime as an added bonus. He’ll use the crime angle as an excuse to tighten the screws.

[jerri]

Looks like the voters over there told him to “shut up”. I have noticed that he hasn’t been talking as crap since then.

[jerri]

Looks like the voters over there told him to “shut up”. I have noticed that he hasn’t been talking as much crap since then.

[GeronL]

cannot be filled with trash?? hey go to Naples

[Atchafalaya]

Ever been to N’awlins, and I’m not talking post Mardi Gras.
I haven’t been post Katrina but BK it was dirty.

[Army Air Corps]

Isn’t NO practically a socialist hellhole anyway?

[Atchafalaya]

Just like Washington DC. at least before Katrina, I don’t know what’s on down there and I ain’t going to see. I cook as good or better, have my sat big screen, don’t have to CCW in my house, no beggars in my house, and don’t burn no trip gas.