Election Officer

He could get the constitution changed to make him an official dictator to years ago. So Hugo Chavez changed his strategy and decided to take his massive dictatorial program in pieces. The first piece would be to allow him to run for office eternally, or at least again in 2012 and so Sunday he got that corner stone in place. Now, on to the other dictatorial matters with the face of a democratic leader. 

President Hugo Chavez won a referendum to eliminate term limits Sunday, enabling him to run again in 2012 and beyond in what critics fear is an attempt to become president-for-life.

Fireworks exploded in the sky and caravans of supporters celebrated in the streets, waving red flags and honking horns. Thousands of people gathered outside Miraflores Palace, where the former paratroop commander appeared on a balcony to sing the national anthem and address the crowd. But while he has his opportunity to run in 2012, the road from here to there is not going to be easy if the price of oil stays below $50 a barrel.

Can you say $35 a barrel?   :-)

The people of Venezuela are in dire poverty and it's not going to get anything but worse under Hugo's massive egoic plans to expand the military on the backs of the populace. "Today we opened wide the gates of the future," proclaimed Chavez, who has governed for a decade and vowed to rule for at least a decade more. "In 2012 there will be presidential elections, and unless God decides otherwise, unless the people decide otherwise, this soldier is already a candidate."

At their campaign headquarters, Chavez opponents who say the amendment pushes Venezuela closer to dictatorship hugged one another, and some cried. Several opposition leaders left without speaking, but several who remained said they wouldn't contest the vote. "We accept this result," said student leader David Smolansky, 23. "We're still standing. We're committed to Venezuela."

Opponents say Chavez already has far too much power, with the courts, the legislature and the election council all under his influence. Removing the current 12-year presidential term limit, they say, makes him unstoppable. "Effectively this will become a dictatorship," opposition leader Omar Barboza told The Associated Press. "It's control of all the powers, lack of separation of powers, unscrupulous use of state resources, persecution of adversaries."

Hugo is an elected democratic dictator. The lines are becoming blurred. much like in America where capitalism bails out all ailing industries.  :-(

About the Author:

As a spiritual-futurist, I interpret current events in light of possible macro-universal forces at play leading up to 2012, but not limited to it.