Dear Editor,
Lord Acton said power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. That statement applies to Hugo Chavez because he is pursuing absolute political power regardless of the costs. I have not seen any report that the Venezuela strong man is involved in financial corruption. And I give him kudos for allowing a free vote in all of the elections held in Venezuela while he has been leader. He graciously accepted defeat when voters narrowly rejected his referendum 51%-49% saying democracy has worked.
Had voters accepted the constitutional revision, it would have given President Chavez virtual dictatorial powers. But why this leader feels he needs more power to achieve his goals defies logic. Chavez has another four years in office with virtually unrestricted powers to implement his programmes. Even in the wake of the referendum’s rejection, he remains in control of most of Venezuela’s institutions. Money is not in short supply to achieve his goals. He is surrounded by friendly neighbours and no one stops him from being Santa Claus giving away money to socialist allies like Cuba, Nicaragua, and Bolivia and even to socialists who are the opposition in other countries. He has also been giving away oil to the poor in the US and subsidizes oil under the PetroCaribe programme to Caribbean nations including Guyana. All this is well and good and he should continue to help the poor but not at the expense of threatening others and building an authoritarian state.
Voters were right to reject Chavez’s desire to end term limits on his rule, boost his powers to expropriate private property including foreign banks and oil interests, and censor the media in self-declared emergencies. Chavez had already taken over one TV station and silenced other media outlets critical of his rule. While he has been aiding the poor, he has taken the country backwards in eroding democratic institutionalization.
I give Chavez credit for listening to what he has called “the voice of the people” by accepting the verdict on the referendum. He said he moved too fast on the issue and promised to try again to expand his powers. That should not be his objective. The voters have spoken; they want to improve their lot not expand the powers of the state.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
