Santos: One small step to the left, one giant leap forward

[naaman fletcher]

On paper, the transition from Uribe to Santos has been a surprising shift to the left. The new president has improved relations with the socialist government of Venezuela, explicitly declared a policy of non-interference in investigations into links between right-wing politicians and paramilitary groups, and, just in the past few days, reiterated his openness to domestic drug legalization. Moreover, in a move that would make him decidedly left-of-center in many countries, Santos also said that drastic reductions in inequality and a stronger commitment to social justice were key to Colombia’s continued growth and economic progress.

The Santos agenda, however, has been more about moving the country forward than about moving to the left. Indeed, many of his proposals include ideas traditionally associated with the right, such as his strong emphasis on cutting the fiscal deficit. Defying traditional political categorization, the Santos agenda is a kind of post-ideological project that aims to leave behind the crippling polarization, cheap populism and dirty politics of the Uribe years.

The new president rightly judged that the first step toward implementing effective policies was to tear down the barriers between political parties and branches of government that had burdened the Colombian state for eight years. He reached out to the opposition, to Colombia’s neighbors and to the broader international community in order to restore trust in the country’s democratic institutions and aspirations.

He insists, for example, on allowing the judiciary to investigate and even punish Uribe for wrongdoing not because he thinks his predecessor and former boss is guilty of any crime, but simply because democracies respect the separation of powers. This is a good idea not just on ethical grounds, but also because it has helped Colombia’s policymakers push aside the costly distraction of debating the integrity of the Uribe government. Now that Colombia’s decently transparent and effective judiciary is handling the matter, the government can get back to governing.

http://colombiareports.com/opinion/the-colombiamerican/14409-santos-one-small-step-to-the-left-one-giant-leap-forward.html

Glad to see Santos continues to do a good job

[joshcryer]

1. Santos is an enigma, he's really cool.

I'm glad Colombia had a chance to elect someone like him.

[Bacchus39]

2. I am quite shocked, I thought he was just waaaaaaayy out there to the right

he seems not be as bullheaded as Uribe. trade with Ven being case in point and delivering the drug dealer who was going to rat out the Chavez administration. very practical, he knows trade with Venezuela benefits Colombia, and relations with the US will remain strong even if he goes againsts Washington sometimes.

[joshcryer]

3. Santos said he wouldn't seek reelection.

In another thread this was seen as a negative thing (my POV).

Of course Colombia has term limits which the posters in that thread happily ignored.

[rabs]

4. Santos did NOT say he would NOT seek re-election

He told Semana magazine, in response to a question, he "preferred" not to be re-elected. ("preferiria" no ser).

It was not seen as a negative. Just unusual because Santos has been in office for only couple weeks more then seven months.

So why did Semana ask the question in the first place if Santos is NOT elegible for re-election?

The answer is that Santos IS eligible for a second term.

The constitution was changed in 2005 so uribe could seek a second term beginning in 2006.

The constitution was changed by the para-narco-politicians, adeptos to uribe, remember?

Yidis Medina-Gate. Notery Public-Gate.

Then uribe tried to change the constitution again so he could seek a THIRD term last year. And the Constitution Court slammed the door in his face. Remember?

Happy to enlighten you.

[joshcryer]

5. I never said he was not eligible.

I said there were term limits because in that thread someone suggested a "lifetime" of sacrifice (quote?). Uribe is no good man and if it weren't for Obama pressuring him he'd likely be well on his way to a lifetime term, as they were ready to vote on the third term proposal but Uribe signaled for them not to. One has to wonder what Obama said to the man to keep him from going after a potential lifetime of power like some others in the world.