[Dean's World] Dave Price: Do Wealthy Liberal Democracies Fail?

[notify at powerblogs.com]

Posted by Dave Price:
Do Wealthy Liberal Democracies Fail?
http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1195864802.shtml


   [1]This doesn't sound good:

     "He who says he supports Chavez but votes 'no' is a traitor, a true
     traitor," the president told an arena packed with red-clad
     supporters. "He's against me, against the revolution and against
     the people."

   In the past, such statements have been the prelude to some of the
   worst democides in history.

     The proposed revisions would do away with presidential term limits,
     extend terms from six to seven years, let Chavez appoint regional
     vice presidents and eliminate Central Bank authority, among other
     changes.
     Critics warn he would also have the power to shut down Venezuelan
     newspapers, television and radio stations by declaring a state of
     emergency, and the government could detain citizens without charges
     during such a period.

   Venezuela could be the first relatively wealthy free democracy to fall
   into dictatorship in a long time, perhaps the first ever at [2]this
   income level.
   Of course, arguably democracy has already fallen, since Chavez
   [3]almost certainly stole the last election.
   This vote happens on Dec 2nd, a day that may live in infamy. I haven't
   been able to find out if they're still using the same voting machine
   technology they did last time, or whether the election monitors have
   changed their audit procedures, but I am not optimistic.

     Chavez insists he will only stay on as long as Venezuelans continue
     to vote for him.

   Or at least as long as he can keep up the pretense that they are.

References

   1. http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8T3M1P00&show_article=1
   2. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ve.html
   3. http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1143959964.shtml