It is my understanding that Chavez came into power because the disparity between the very wealthy and the very poor became so great that the small minority of “rich” people could not stop the HUGE majority of poor people from winning even a rigged election. Then the minority party, as a form of protest, did not run any candidates claiming all elections would be rigged. Perhaps they would have been. But with no opposition candidates to oppose them, Chavez became the leader of a political oligarchy through a democratic process. He could have been a great leader, but he chose to be a populist leader and in so doing, became “President for Life”^. Sadly, he has left a legacy of poltical machinery that may or may not serve the people who supported Chavez. His death leaves a vacuum and his leadership leaves an absence of leaders in a nation whose democratic history is filled with abuses.^Mr. Alacaraz’s cartoon reminds us of the adage, One nation’s traitor is another nation’s hero. Chavez and Che helped some people realize their dreams by destroying the dreams of others. It is an object lesson for our own leaders and our party system.^Having two healthy parties with a majority of moderate members prevents any one party from political abuses. Using legislation to protect and empower the very rich while failing to give hope and potential to people in the middle and poor classes is not wise. And failing to respect and include minorities and the disenfranchised is equally unwise. Respectfully,C.
It is my understanding that Chavez came into power because the disparity between the very wealthy and the very poor became so great that the small minority of “rich” people could not stop the HUGE majority of poor people from winning even a rigged election. Then the minority party, as a form of protest, did not run any candidates claiming all elections would be rigged. Perhaps they would have been. But with no opposition candidates to oppose them, Chavez became the leader of a political oligarchy through a democratic process. He could have been a great leader, but he chose to be a populist leader and in so doing, became “President for Life”^. Sadly, he has left a legacy of poltical machinery that may or may not serve the people who supported Chavez. His death leaves a vacuum and his leadership leaves an absence of leaders in a nation whose democratic history is filled with abuses.^Mr. Alacaraz’s cartoon reminds us of the adage, One nation’s traitor is another nation’s hero. Chavez and Che helped some people realize their dreams by destroying the dreams of others. It is an object lesson for our own leaders and our party system.^Having two healthy parties with a majority of moderate members prevents any one party from political abuses. Using legislation to protect and empower the very rich while failing to give hope and potential to people in the middle and poor classes is not wise. And failing to respect and include minorities and the disenfranchised is equally unwise. Respectfully,C.