Chavez to Nationalize Venezuela's Power

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/w-sa/2007/jan/09/010905275.html

As Venezuela embarked on another six years under Hugo Chavez, the president announced plans to nationalize power and telecom companies and make other bold changes that will concentrate more power in his hands.

Chavez, who will be sworn in Wednesday to a third term that runs until 2013, also said he wanted a constitutional amendment to strip the Central Bank of its autonomy and would soon ask the National Assembly, solidly controlled by his allies, to give him greater powers to legislate by presidential decree.

"We're moving toward a socialist republic of Venezuela, and that requires a deep reform of our national constitution," Chavez said in a televised address after swearing in his new Cabinet. "We're heading toward socialism, and nothing and no one can prevent it."

The changes are in keeping with pledges he made after his re-election last month to take a more radical turn toward socialism. His critics have voiced concern that he would use his sweeping victory to tighten his grip on power, following in the footsteps of Fidel Castro.

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[GliderGuider]

1. Oh no, the dreaded "S" word!

Chavez had best thank his lucky stars the USA is currently busy winning in Iraq. As soon as they get finished with that project and whip Iran back into line, he'd better start watching his p's and q's .

[Cleita]

2. I wish we would nationalize our utilities and health care.

Buh bye AT&T. Buh bye PG&E, Edison et al. Buh bye gas companies. The most efficient power company I ever had was owned and operated by the city I was living in, in other words the government. Now I have PG&E, which isn't anywhere as efficient. AT&T is plain extortionist and I have no choice as they bought up all the competition.

There are some commodities and services, the necessities of life, that should be non-profit and the only way to deliver these commodities and services efficiently is through the government. Most of us still get our water and trash pickup through the city although the greedy corporatists are trying to privatize them.

There is plenty of room for capitalism and free trade after you take care of the necessities. Hugo is on the right track.

[dweller]

3. at&t mini rant

i pay $11/month for their services in paperwork/bill/fees/taxes etc and i never ever use long distance.
i email instead. So just now, i picked up the phone to call a bud in NM using at&t...and the first thing they want is a credit card # ??? :wtf:

time to unplug from the bastas.
dp

[Cleita]

16. Wow! I never heard of that.

I'm having my own problems trying to cancel *their* credit card.

[SanCristobal]

6. You do have a choice.

Get a cell phone or don't use the phone. AT&T didn't make you sign up for service, you valued their product enough to buy it. You obviously don't think that badly of them.

[Cleita]

15. Unfortunately it's the only way I can access the internet.

I have to do dial-up because I'm out in the country and other methods aren't available. I do use my cell phone for calling, and my land line only for the internet. However, when we have earthquakes the cell phones go out and the land line is what is still there so I'm really stuck with the bastids.

[SanCristobal]

4. "His critics have voiced concern"

I'm pretty sure his critics don't have a TV station any more. VIVA CHAVEZ!:eyes:

[David__77]

5. Of course his critics have freedom of speech.

One network losing it public airwave license for anti-constitutional activities does not stifle free speech. All manner of broadcast and print media are against the people.

[SanCristobal]

7. Which constitution is that?

The original, or the one Chavez wrote? Or was it the one he rewrote when his first draft didn't give him enough power? VIVA CHAVEZ!

[David__77]

9. The one approved by the PEOPLE in a democratic vote!

The constitution of the BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC of Venezuela - the only legal one. The one that the CIA-backed fascist coup leaders undemocratically revoked, contrary to the people's express wishes, in the failed coup of 2002.

It would be THAT constitution.

[David__77]

10. By the way: You think Iraq is a "successful democracy?"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x3028299#3028341

Your "strategic acumen" explains your anti-Chavez standpoint very well...

[SanCristobal]

11. LOL! My first groupie?

:7

Seriously though, I think Chavez takes FAR to many liberties with the governmental process in order to consolidate his power. I don't ever like seeing governments slip in that direction, particularly in places without well established democratic histories like Venezuela. This is my position regardless of the kinds of laws or reforms that government is passing.

And because I get a kick out of it, VIVA CHAVEZ!

[David__77]

12. Surely you admit the Bolivarian constitution is THE legal constitution.

Chavez has adhered to the law of the land. I happen to believe the National Assembly should retain its discretion and not allow decree-based rule, but this isn't too different than executive order-rule in the US.

If the Venezuelan people vote for a socialist republic constitution, that will then be the law of the land as well.

[SanCristobal]

13. And if they vote for a National Socialist constitution that would be law of the land.

:eyes:

Don't take that as a serious comparison of Chavez and Hitler, take it as a critique of rule of law. Rule of law means nothing to me if it doesn't establish protection of civil liberties and property rights, the basic requirements of good government. Chavez's rule doesn't lave me particularly convinced he agrees with me on that.

Before you bring out the accusations, no, I don't support a US backed coup against Chavez or any other violent means of removing him from power. It's none of my business what Venezuelans do to their country, and while I'd like to see Chavez gone, that is their call, not mine.

[David__77]

14. There can be democracy without private ownership of means of large production.

I do not agree that good government requires "private property" in the abstract. There is no absolute right to employ others' labor for profit that cannot be overruled by the people in a democracy.

[David__77]

8. Progressives should seek constitutional reforms whenever possible.

I would like reforms in this country like the right to employment or minimum income, right to housing, right to medical care, public control of all natural resources, but this is a long ways off. Good for Venezuela for seizing the initiative.