Chavez Pushes Radical Constitution Reform

Changes Would Promote Venezuela's Transformation To A Socialist State

(AP)  Venezuela's pro-government National Assembly overwhelmingly approved constitutional reforms that would greatly expand the power of President Hugo Chavez and permit him to run for re-election indefinitely.

The 69 changes to Venezuela's Constitution now go to citizens for a vote on Dec. 2.

The proposed changes, Chavez's most radical move yet in his push to transform Venezuela into a socialist state, threaten to spur a new wave of political upheaval in this oil-rich South American country already deeply divided over Chavez's rule.

Demonstrators protested the reforms at several universities on Friday. One student was killed by an unidentified gunman during a demonstration in western Zulia state, Zulia Police Chief Candido Carreno told state television. Four other students were injured, he said, without elaborating. No suspects were arrested.

The amendments would allow the government to expropriate private property without having to first seek court authorization, take total control over the Central Bank, create new types of property managed by cooperatives and extend presidential terms from six to seven years while allowing Chavez to run again in 2012.

All but seven of the assembly's 167 lawmakers voted for the changes by a show of hands Friday.

"Today the Venezuelan people have a pencil in their hands to write their own history, and it's not going to be the history of the elite," said pro-Chavez lawmaker Earle Herrera.

Concerns that the measures will weaken civil liberties have been raised by university students, opposition parties, human rights groups and representatives of Venezuela's Roman Catholic Church.

Critics also worry the reforms would allow Chavez to remain in power for decades like his close friend Fidel Castro of Cuba.

Calling the reforms "unconstitutional," dissident lawmaker Ricardo Gutierrez railed against pro-Chavez congressmen for approving amendments "that don't have anything to do with giving more power to the people."

Chavez, a retired army lieutenant colonel who was first elected in 1998 on a populist platform and has repeatedly defeated his political adversaries at the polls, denies the reforms are antidemocratic.

Most "Chavistas," as the president's supporters call themselves, back the reforms as a novel means of giving neighborhood-based assemblies called "communal councils" greater decision-making power as Chavez steers Venezuela toward what he calls "21st-century Socialism."

Government supporters wearing red - the color of Chavez's ruling party - cheered outside the assembly in downtown Caracas as lawmakers left the building and walked to the nearby National Elections Council, where they asked officials to schedule a Dec. 2 referendum on the reforms.

Jose Manuel Gonzalez, president of the Fedecamaras business chamber, warned of grave consequences if voters agree to the amendments.

"If this reform is approved, it destroys the future of our institutions, isolates us as a nation, brings us back to the past and distances us from modernity and progress," he told Union Radio.

[libsluvsuvs]

Posted by Nancy_Naive at 06:59 AM : Nov 04, 2007
+ report abuse

************

nah socialism is where you get your head blown off from spewing that kind of vomit you just did..

why dont we ask the liberal politicans how more taxes and those liberal backed work unions is luring more private sector business.

there is a saying..if you say your rants enough you would start to believe it.

[toolmangler-2009]

Socialism is what you get when you demand that someone else see to your care and upbringing.

[rhs648]

Socialism? Is that where there the State employs a large segment of the work force?

Well then, Bush has taken the US closer to Socialism than Chavez has taken Venezuela...

More public sector jobs were created by Bush than any other President and he lost more private sector jobs than any since Hoover.

Regards,

Posted by Nancy_Naive

Please tell us your source so we can check it out.

[toolmangler-2009]

So you are your worst enemy. I would suggest you see if Chavez will offer amerikkkans free mental health screening.
Posted by zootallures2 at 04:09 PM : Nov 03, 2007


Don''t worry Zooty. China is going to be the one you have to cozy up to. America is on its way out, China is on the way in and they don''t play nice with anybody that doesn''t have more nooks than they do. They will make Chavez resign then run Venezuala the way they want to. Enjoy

[rhs648]

It will be interesting to see whether the intelligentsia, land owners, business owners, and dissidents are rounded-up and imprisioned, exiled, or murdered. First property rights, then personal freedoms. Something to consider for those of you who think a dictatorship in Venezuela is a great idea. Photos of Cuba don''t look too appealing to most of us.

[rhs648]

Once freedom and guarantees are abandoned, the people will probably never get them back. The Venezuelan legislators are so anxious and willing to give Chavez absolute power. Where will their protections be when they need them? Perhaps we should rush to give our president or our next president absolute control. You may not like the present president, but why not give the next president absolute control? Will you like it when your home, farm, or business is taken by the government? Perhaps feeding the poor is worth it.

[rhs648]

And why is it the u.s. business what Venezuela is doing? The last major attack on the u.s. was done by yourselves. So you are your worst enemy. I would suggest you see if Chavez will offer amerikkkans free mental health screening.

Posted by zootallures2

For the same reason it is your business. We make it our business. Too bad if you don''t like it. Please identify your country.

[zootallures2]

And why is it the u.s. business what Venezuela is doing? The last major attack on the u.s. was done by yourselves. So you are your worst enemy. I would suggest you see if Chavez will offer amerikkkans free mental health screening.

[grazinggoat]

I hear a bunch of your limo/lear libs will be there for the festivities. Ah, the perks of a dictatorship!
Posted by Xlib at 08:19 AM : Nov 03, 2007

-Xlib: you must suffer tinnitus. Don''t you? go check your audiophonist.

[xlib]

I hear a bunch of your limo/lear libs will be there for the festivities. Ah, the perks of a dictatorship!