Chavez seeks to make his dictatorship official

[Phoenix Dark]

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has urged voters to approve constitutional changes in a referendum on Sunday.

Addressing tens of thousands of supporters at a rally in Caracas, he also threatened to stop oil supplies to the US if it tried to disrupt the vote.

The reforms include allowing abolishing presidential term limits and ending the autonomy of the Central Bank.

Mr Chavez said the proposed changes would return power to the people, but critics accuse him of a power grab.

Mr Chavez said that his opponents could try to sabotage the vote, with backing from Washington, through violent protests.

He said: "If this [referendum] is used as a pretext to start violence in Venezuela, Energy Minister Rafael Ramirez on Monday will order that oil exports to North America be stopped."

He added that troops had been sent to "protect" the country's oil fields.

Mr Chavez has accused Washington of conspiring to topple his government and possibly backing plots to assassinate him. US officials have called the accusations ridiculous.

On Sunday, voters will be asked whether they agree with a package of constitutional reforms.

Mr Chavez proposed 33 changes, and the National Assembly, which is composed of his supporters, put forward a further 36 amendments.

His opponents have called for close monitoring of the ballot. Opinion polls have suggested that the result could be close, although surveys in the past have tended to underestimate the level of support Mr Chavez enjoys.

The BBC's Americas editor, Emilio San Pedro, says the elections are expected to be as free and fair as all previous ones since Mr Chavez came to power in 1998.

One proposal is to allow the president to stand for re-election an indefinite number of times.

Speaking on Friday, Mr Chavez said: "If God gives me life and help, I will be at the head of the government until 2050." He would be 95 years old.

Under the current constitution, Mr Chavez would have to stand down when his term expires at the end of 2012.

Other changes up for approval include giving the president control over the central bank, the creation of new provinces governed by centrally-appointed officials, and a reduction in the voting age from 18 to 16.

There are also proposals to expand presidential powers during natural disasters or political "emergencies".

On the social front, changes include establishing a maximum six-hour working day and 36-hour working week, and widening social security benefit to workers in the informal economy.

A number of defections from the president's camp have encouraged opponents, but Mr Chavez has dismissed these one-time allies as traitors.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7121487.stm

CARACAS, Venezuela -- More than 100,000 people flooded the streets of the capital Thursday to oppose a referendum that would eliminate term limits for President Hugo Chavez and help him establish a socialist state in Venezuela.

Blowing whistles, waving placards and shouting ''Not like this!'' the marchers carried flags and dressed in blue -- the chosen color of the opposition -- as they streamed along Bolivar Avenue.

The rally marked the close of the opposition's campaign against the proposed constitutional changes, which will be submitted to a vote Sunday. Chavez plans to lead rallies in favor of the reforms today. AP

http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/674793,CST-NWS-ven30.article

What says "giving power back to the people" more than making the president supreme leader for the rest of his life?

[FlameOfCallandor]

I don't understand the socialist liberals who think the government is the answer to all our problems. Chavez is a good example of why we cannot trust government.

I was just talking to my extremely liberal friend who has literally signed a form pledging allegiance to the democratic party. It was a good conversation about government until we started talking about the role of government. Then he dropped a bombshell that left me speechless. ""i trust the government" was what he said. What? How can anyone trust the government. Then he said this. I shit you not, he said this,

Me: What we should do, is use our first amendment rights to change peoples minds instead of forcing it
Him: I will not participate in your anarchy.

[Phoenix Dark]

I don't understand the socialist liberals who think the government is the answer to all our problems. Chavez is a good example of why we cannot trust government.

I was just talking to my extremely liberal friend who has literally signed a form pledging allegiance to the democratic party. It was a good conversation about government until we started talking about the role of government. Then he dropped a bombshell that left me speechless. ""i trust the government" was what he said. What? How can anyone trust the government. Then he said this. I shit you not, he said this,

Me: What we should do, is use our first amendment rights to change peoples minds instead of forcing it
Him: I will not participate in your anarchy.

I bet that made you feel so rebellious

[FlameOfCallandor]

I bet that made you feel so rebellious

I dont get it.

[Gay Boy]

I don't understand the socialist liberals who think the government is the answer to all our problems. Chavez is a good example of why we cannot trust government.

Yes become democrats seek to be dictators.

Because big govt. democrats like FDR and Clinton really led to HORRIBLE things.

[Phoenix Dark]

JayDubya in 3...2...1..

[Gay Boy]

JayDubya in 3...2...1..

FoC is basically JayDubya.

[Gay Boy]

someone should invite him so we can mock his racist ass without getting banned

We don't need 2 Ron Paulites.

[Phoenix Dark]

someone should invite him so we can mock his racist ass without getting banned

out of interest why do you call him racist?

[Ichirou]

JayDubya is kinda racist.

[APF]

What did he say that was racist?

[FlameOfCallandor]

What did he say that was racist?

He doesnt support affirmative action which makes him racist.

[Gay Boy]

What did he say that was racist?

He doesnt support affirmative action which makes him racist.

Also he called the civil rights bill unconstitutional when it passed as a bill not an amendment initially. iirc.

It's less racism, more extremist libertarianism.

[APF]

What did he say that was racist?

He doesnt support affirmative action which makes him racist.

Also he called the civil rights bill unconstitutional when it passed as a bill not an amendment initially. iirc.

It's less racism, more extremist libertarianism.

That seems more like it.  I never felt disregard is the same as antagonism, although in practical effects there can be not much of a difference.

[FlameOfCallandor]

Also he called the civil rights bill unconstitutional when it passed as a bill not an amendment initially. iirc.

It was unconstitutional...

[Gay Boy]

Also he called the civil rights bill unconstitutional when it passed as a bill not an amendment initially. iirc.

It was unconstitutional...

Lovely. It would never have passed as an amendment on its own if it wasn't for the Bill. You need 2/3'rd ratification. The southern states like texas would never have passed it and blacks would never have had full civil rights untill easily the 70's if not later.

What's more important, OMG STATES RIGHTS, or african americans getting civil rights in the 60's? It was impossible to have both due to southerns extreme opposition to civil rights.