http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americ....ap/index.html
gee... I wonder how this one is going to endCARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- President Hugo Chavez called for radical changes to Venezuela's cons ution Wednesday night, proposing reforms that would eliminate current limits on his re-election and extend presidential terms.
Chavez, speaking to the National Assembly, also proposed ending the autonomy of Venezuela's Central Bank, which would give him access to billions of dollars of foreign reserves. He also called for increasing the government's power to expropriate private property before getting a court's approval.
The self-styled revolutionary said presidential terms should be extended from six to seven years, though he denied he wants lifelong power as his opponents allege.
"I propose to the sovereign people the seven-year presidential term. The president can be re-elected immediately for a new term," Chavez said. "If someone says this is a project to entrench oneself in power. No, it's only a possibility, a possibility that depends on many variables."
If approved, the reform of the cons ution would be Chavez's most radical step yet in his drive to transform Venezuela along his vision of socialism. Since winning re-election to a new six-year term in December, he has aggressively advanced that goal, nationalizing the oil, telecommunications and electricity sectors.
Critics accuse Chavez of seeking to remain as president for decades to come, like his close friend Fidel Castro in Cuba. Many fear he is steering this oil-rich South American nation toward Cuba-style communism.
"Chavez is seeking to reduce the territory held by the opposition and give his intention to remain in power a legal foundation," said Gerardo Blyde, an opposition leader and former lawmaker.
He said many other reforms are likely to be "red capes" like those used by a bullfighter "to distract Venezuelans from his real objective."
Hugo Chavez, a former paratrooper commander who was first elected in 1998, denies copying Cuba and insists that personal freedoms will be respected. He and his supporters say democracy has flourished under his administration, noting he has repeatedly won elections by wide margins.
Chavez pushed through a new cons ution in 1999, shortly after he was first elected. He said the charter must be redrafted so that Venezuela's capitalist system "finishes dying" to make way for socialism.
The Venezuelan leader's political allies firmly control the National Assembly, which is expected to approve the reform plan within months. The plan would then have to be approved by citizens in a national referendum.
His proposals also included creating new types of property that would be managed by cooperatives, reducing the workday to six hours and creating "a popular militia" that would form part of the military.
Chavez, who constantly warns the U.S. may someday invade the country, has already begun training neighborhood-based civilian militias. Government opponents say he is trying creating the means to suppress dissent and defend his presidency at all costs.
Although Chavez proposed formally ending the Central Bank's autonomy, he has already appointed political allies to its board of directors and they have allowed him to remove several billion dollars from the reserves into social programs.
Critics of the transfers say they undermine the Venezuelan currency and harm the country's standing in international financial markets.
Outside the National Assembly, crowds of cheering red-clad supporters held flags and signs reading: "Yes to the reform, on the path to 21st Century Socialism." Giant video screens were set up, and folk music blared from sound trucks near a two-story-tall inflatable figure of Chavez.
Hours earlier, U.S. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in Washington that the United States would wait for details of Chavez's proposal before commenting on it. He added that Chavez in the past "has taken a number of different steps ... that have really eroded some of the underpinnings of democracy in Venezuela."
President-for-Life, just like in African -hole countries.
As Lyndon Johnson said, if you get enough votes, you can do anything.
caveat: within limits of the Cons iution. But the Repug Exec has shown that the Exec is above the law. I figure Chavez will get any damn thing he wants.
Wonder what Jimmy Carter is going to say about this...
. . . and what is Dan going to say.
Will he continue swinging from Chavez' nuts, now that he shows he is a true dictator a la Fidel?
What say you, Danny-boy?
I think we all saw that coming.
this is not always a bad thing. Look what Pinochet did with Chile, it is the most prosperous country South of the border
in this case though, yeah it's probably bad
Every country in the world should eliminate Private Central Banking systems. Your economy will take a hit on the national level at first, but the long-term power of the national currency will rest solely with the government, not a bank.
Gee we never saw this one coming!
GW would make a great 3rd world leader
Look what Pinochet did with Chile? What, rape four-fifths of the population in order to give everything to wealthy elites and foreign businessmen? Abduct and assassinate anybody who opposed him?
Every time a Chilean's lungs burn when trying to breathe the opaque brown winter air over Santiago, he can thank the legacy of Pinochet as he scuttles back to his shanty home made of cardboard and sheetmetal.
I wonder when people will wake up and see Chavez for what he really is?
If this were entirely true, the candidate he supported in 1988, after he stepped down from power, couldn't have gotten close to 30% of the votes as hi did, with the other center-right candidate obtaining 15%.
By the way, Chile by far, is the most developed country in Latin America, with the highest growth rate of the last 30 years, the lowest unemployment rate, the least corrupt society and the most open economy. And wether you like it or not, this is thanks to Pinochet (with all Pinochet's faults).
And as for your "everything given to the wealthy elites and the foriegn businessman" comment, that is complete bull . With that respect, Chile is no different that the US.
So Dan, any comments on Chavez wanting to perpetuate himself in power like you buddy Fidel?
I think most of the world views him as what he is. But
who is going to take him out of power. The poor view him
as a savior and support him. And the group in power will
support him. There is little doubt, in my mind, he is going
to sit himself up as another Fidel. every lefty in the
U.S. support him. Because of his little gifts of heating
oil to the poor of America. (his words not mine)
When do we invade? He has sweet, sweet oil. Err, I mean he's violating U.N. policy.
^^It wont be us. Why would we? If Billary gets in next election
she will kiss and make up with him. Birds of a feather...sort of
thing..
"When do we invade? He has sweet, sweet oil."
I have no doubt that head and the olicos have war-gamed it.
"Exxon Mobil, BP Plc, S , ChevronTexaco and Total SA, the five largest publicly traded oil companies, last year reported net income of about $85 billion, equal to the economic output of Venezuela, a nation of 25 million people and the third-largest member of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries."
http://www.energybulletin.net/4379.html
The oilcos could beef up Blackwell, Aegis, etc, and invade VZ to grab the oil. Certainly the VZ middle and upper classes would support them. Another possible quagmire? Quaqmire didn't stop them from going into Iraq.
War games and reality are two very different concepts when talking about implementation.
I certainly hope the government has "war gamed" with every country in the world and every possible combination thereof. Its the militaries job.
Be prepared, son. Cuz' old Satan Clause, he's out there.
Wow........so, Chavez wants the National Assembly to change the Cons ution....eh gad...what's next? A vote?President Hugo Chavez called for radical changes to Venezuela's cons ution Wednesday night, proposing reforms that would eliminate current limits on his re-election and extend presidential terms.
Chavez, speaking to the National Assembly, also proposed ending the autonomy of Venezuela's Central Bank, which would give him access to billions of dollars of foreign reserves. He also called for increasing the government's power to expropriate private property before getting a court's approval.
I wonder how many people own shares of stock between them? It could easily match the 25,000,000 number, or even exceed it! Profits are around $6.00 a share aren't they? I forget the number. How about looking it up your self.
Me too. Nothing like being as prepared as possible.
With a tsunami of $400B+ GUARANTEED to play with every year, the Pentagon does all kinds of stupid, frivolous projects, such like war-gaming the invasion VZ as a threat to national security (as opposed to invading to grab the oil).
But they can't find the time to monitor the rampant fraud and corruption by Pentagon suppliers.
You ing nitwit, he wants indefinite re-election. A la Castro.
Are you blind?
Are you stupid?
Are you both?
Oh, he also want to abolish private property.
Great guy!
Last edited by smeagol; 08-18-2007 at 12:57 PM.
Dan is only going to realize the truth once Chavez has spent 30 or 40 years in power. On second thought, I think the jackass is still going to be claiming its a democratic government.
Let me ask you something Dan, what are the chances of a president being democratically elected EVERY TIME for the rest of his life? Think about that, and we'll talk when Chavez has been in power two more decades.
Do your part. Never buy at a CITCO station!
FYI, the stock values for the six largest oil companies exceed $1.3 Trillion dollars. Numbers are $1,305,744,500,000 with todays stock prices excluding S with over 17 billion shares of stock between the five. Combined net earnings for the five was $108,353,420,000. These five also paid $85,929,934,000 in taxes. People complain about the oil company profits, but that amounts to them only keeping 55.77% of their earnings!
I didn't find current data for S with Yahoo, and not going to spend more time on it.
Links:
Exxon:
Summary
Key Statistics
Income Statement
BP plc:
Summary
Key Statistics
Income Statement
S :
Summary
Total SA:
Summary
Key Statistics
Income Statement
Cheveron Corp.
Summary
Key Statistics
Income Statement
ConocoPhillips:
Summary
Key Statistics
Income Statement
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