Sharing The Wealth
Venezuelan democracy has spoken. At least they exhibit great passion about the right to exercise their franchise. Something that North Americans take for granted and then complain about the outcome, for those political leaders who disappoint, for whose agenda they believe to be inimical to the interests of the public and the nation seem never to be those whom they've voted for - largely because they haven't bothered to vote.It is nothing but impressive that 81% of the almost 19 million registered voters in Venezuela cast ballots. In their anxiety to make their voices heard, they lined up for the opportunity to vote. People living abroad, those qualified to vote as Venezuelans, travelled long distances to the appointed voting places in North America and elsewhere. Just over 50% of those who voted will be ecstatic about the vote outcome; somewhat fewer than that number will be disheartened.
Hugo Chavez has been granted by his supporters yet another six years of rule of the country, his third re-election in almost 14 years. Fully 1.2-million voters exceeded the numbers that voted for Hugo Chavez's challenger, Henrique Capriles. Mr. Capriles will in all likelihood make another attempt in six years' time; if Mr. Chavez survives his recurring cancers, though he is now said to be in remission.
In any event, the size of the winning vote is more than adequate to ensure that state news censorship will continue, that hostility to the West will be ongoing, that embrace of Iran will remain a hallmark of this government, that state interference in the economy will continue. And, despite that the indigent of Venezuela hale President Chavez as their benefactor, poverty will continue, and with it unchecked crime.
High inflation, corruption and an ever increasing murder rate will also in all likelihood continue. The spreading of the country's oil wealth from reserves said to be the largest in the world will continue in the region rather than focus on the needs of the indigenous Venezuelan population. Interference in the politics of neighbouring countries will proceed on schedule.
But those who are dissatisfied with Hugo Chavez's autocratic rule will likely continue to grow in numbers. The last presidential vote that took place in 2006 saw him win with 63% of the vote; that number has been diminished significantly this time around, at 54%. Extreme measures to vilify his political opponent by referring to them as "fascists" "Yankees", and "neo-Nazis", frightened people.
Some naive and dependent voters were happy to vote for Chavez, locking out his rival Henrique Capriles, fearing that he would revoke government programs that gave assistance to the poor. Some of the social initiative programs have been clearly beneficial to those in need, aiding single mothers and the elderly, and expanding free education programs.
Buying the loyalty of the country's vast numbers of poor, while engineering a corrupt government that has mismanaged the country's economic well-being is, for the time being, a trade-off.
Labels: Corruption, Crime, Democracy, Human Relations, Political Realities, Societal Failures, Venezuela
posted by Pieface @ Monday, October 08, 2012
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