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Chavez Saves Democracy? The restored Venezuelan president has many problems***But President Chavez has many problems. The insurrection preceding his 48-hour dethronement was something substantially of his own making. There were tens of thousands of demonstrators out there protesting Chavez policies. He confronted that problem in high autocratic style: He forced television stations to go off the air, and ordered snipers and other armed loyalists at the presidential palace to open fire. When word got around that a dozen people had been killed and many wounded, military commanders took over, effecting his momentary withdrawal.

....... We have an endless problem, contending with our superstitious assumption that a democratically elected leader is absolutely entitled to govern. He is presumptively entitled to govern. Allende was democratically elected in Chile, and in three years was busy subverting freedom of the press and the nation's Constitution, inaugurating years of despotism by Pinochet. The restored Hugo Chavez has said he will seek to cooperate with the policies of his opponents, and so far, he hasn't executed anybody, but democratic standards aren't automatically guaranteed by his restoration. The U.S. didn't engineer the attempted coup, but there is no reason to rejoice in its failure.***

Argentina Orders Bank Freeze ***The IMF package would force Argentina to slash thousands of public sector jobs, a move that would impose further economic hardship on the Argentine people. Argentina's latest economic crisis, which began in earnest late last year after the country missed repayments on its $140bn debt, has been marked by violent street protests. Earlier this week, the IMF said it expected the Argentine economy to contract by 10-15% this year.***

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They need to go for the long term fix instead of the short term one. But it takes someone with leadership abilities, who won't be run out of office or one who won't pander just to stay in office. However, this is difficult, if not impossible, until the system of bribes and payoffs is stopped.

The same situation is on the horizon in Venezuela. I don't see Hugo stepping down. He's ruined the economy, as he's taken over the government and blames his problems on the middle class and the oil company while inciting class warfare. It isn't pretty what's happening and the time is ripe for communism to sweep this whole area.