Hugo Chavez to make himself president for life

London Telegraph ^ | 8/17/2007 | Jeremy McDermott

[Crazieman]

The Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chavez has anointed himself president for life by proposing sweeping changes to the country's constitution.

Setting out his plans for completing his socialist revolution in the oil-rich Latin American nation, he proposing radical constitutional reform which has at its centre indefinite re-election for himself.

In a rambling televised speech reminiscent of his close ally and friend Fidel Castro, Mr Chavez told the national assembly of 33 changes he plans to make to the constitution he introduced in 1999 which will cement his grip on power.

"We have broken the chains of the old, exploitative capitalist system," said Mr Chavez. "The state now has the obligation to build the model of a socialist economy."

The proposals will be debated by the 167-seat assembly, which is unlikely to be particularly heated or drawn out as it is 100 per cent "Chavista" after the opposition boycotted the 2005 elections. Once the assembly has rubber stamped the proposals, they will be put to a referendum.

Mr Chavez is unlikely to struggle in is bid to win the referendum as he has spent millions of dollars in oil revenue in enlarging his power base by bolstering the ranks of state employees and introducing cheap imported goods into shops.

While the president was talking about "the death of capitalism" in Venezuela, the opposition were lamenting what they called the death of democracy.

"The president just tells lies," said Manuel Rosales, the opposition leader defeated in last year's presidential elections. "All he wants to do is turn himself into president for life."

In the new constitution Mr Chavez, 54, scraps the maximum presidential incumbency of two six-year terms, to instead permit seven-year terms with indefinite re-election.

[r-q-tek86]

There is a website that shows “Before Chavez” and “After Chavez” photos of many places in Venezuela.

Link, please.

[Red Badger]

It's apropos. Venezuela and Zimbabwe have gone exactly as Ayn Rand predicted in Atlas Shrugged............

[Hardastarboard]

Chavez=Good. Bush=Bad. The leftists tell me so.

Yes, but at least Venezuelans are allowed to criticize ole Hugo, unlike here where we live in a fascist dictatorship.

[Red Badger]

I tried to find it just now, and it seems to have disappeared. I’ll keep looking...............

[ChiMark]

Don’t expect the MSM to criticise Carter. The man has lost his marbles. The worst President of the 20th century. A man who
relishes in the backing of ruthless dictators but not a peep
from the MSM.

[Names Ash Housewares]

Sean Penn and Danny Glover must be proud of their hero.

[ozzymandus]

Co-incidentally, I am currently reading that book for the first time. It’s slow going, pretty dated, and kind of weird, but I’ll finish it.

[Logophile]

I’m glad Jimmy Carter certified that his initial election was free and fair.

Has Mr. Carter commented on recent developments in Venezuela? I ran a Google search, but all I could find were statements by Carter that Chavez won fair and square. (That, and accusations that President Bush misled the American people abouot Iraq.)

[Republican Wildcat]

They probably are. They were still “proud” of him even after he started banning TV stations and replacing them with his state-run propaganda.

[Vision Thing]

bill and hillary must be green with envy.

[Red Badger]

I don’t know the latest on the movie starring Bradjolina.........I think it’s on hold......

[Right Wing Assault]

Those who want a new president now will have to forego the ballot box for the bullet box. They can vote with their trigger finger. Then dip it in purple ink.

[Red Badger]

BTW what were the OTHER two references to Ayn Rand?........

[Right Wing Assault]

bill and hillary must be green with envy

I bet Hillary was urging Bill to appoint himself president for life.

[RetiredArmy]

That is because Che-red is one of them. He is NO different than Hillary, Obama, Schumer, Reid, any of them. They are socialists, red, communists, liberals, homosexuals, thieves, liars, murderers and will do as Che-red is doing, anything to get into and stay in power. IT would not surprise me any at all that if Hillary were elected and with a Socialist Congress, that they passed sweeping changes to our laws, to put themselves in power for life. Would not surprise me at all. And don’t everyone say at once that our Constitution and Bill of Rights prohibit them from doing this stuff. Because if they are in power, they will ignore the law and do as they please. Only a revolution could change it.

[theDentist]

After their assembly meets and discusses the changes, those who opposed or even questioned the changes will be removed from the chamber in the same fashion Saddam used, to find a pockmarked wall from where they make their last stand.

[TheDon]

Hugo Chavez has anointed himself president for life

Nothing a lead injection won't cure.

[JennysCool]

So long Hugo.

[LiteKeeper]

And this is Sean Penn’s buddy and who calls Chavez a great example of democracy in action!

[John123]

There is a website that shows “Before Chavez” and “After Chavez” photos of many places in Venezuela.

I would like to see it. What is the url?