Chavez says he won't give up decree powers

[The Northerner]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) - President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday he won't relinquish special legislative powers - a possibility he raised last week as a means of seeking reconciliation with Venezuela's opposition.

Chavez's offer to reduce the period of time he has to enact laws by decree through the "Enabling Law" surprised opposition leaders, who welcomed his overture while expressing doubts regarding the president's call for mutual respect and dialogue between political rivals.

"I'm not going to return the Enabling Law," said Chavez, speaking in a televised address. "I made a call to encourage courteous and respectful dialogue, but look at their response."

Chavez first said that he needed special legislative powers for 18 months, which were approved by a lame-duck congress dominated by his allies in December, to swiftly approve disaster-relief measures after severe floods and mudslides that left thousands homeless last year.

Read more: http://apnews.myway.com/article/20110121/D9KSE69O0.html

[mwrguy]

1. He was granted those powers through a democratic process

Why should he give them up prematurely?

[TheWraith]

2. Keep spinning please.

I'm sure it's in the interests of democracy that he made all the media state-run, too.

[apocalypsehow]

3. Dictators - and that's *precisely* what Chavez is - do not give up power of any kind unless forced.

See: Hitler; Mussolini; Napoleon; Pinochet; et al.

It's really very sad for the people of Venezuela that such a buffoonish, power-hungry clown is in charge.