Venezuela's National Assembly Begins

[Stunt]

Chavez's parliament begins to work on policies totally unopposed. For the first time in 50 years the parliament has absolutely no opposition members.

Their agenda:
More abortions and gay marriage.

This guy is like Bush's opposite...

Chavez bloc begins work unopposed
By Greg Morsbach
BBC News, Caracas

Venezuela's national assembly is sitting for the first time since the opposition boycotted parliamentary elections in December.

All 167 seats are taken up by Bloc for Change politicians, who are loyal to the left-wing President, Hugo Chavez.

It is the first time in almost 50 years that Venezuela's national assembly has had no opposition members.

Critics say the new assembly is similar to the one in Cuba as it is unlikely to ask awkward questions of the president.

Lively debate

For the next five years Mr Chavez's legislators will be able to pass new laws quickly and without too much fuss in order to drive forward the revolution the president has advocated.

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

But some of the newly-elected assembly members have told the BBC that this is not an issue for the immediate future.

They say they intend to generate lively debate inside the chamber in order to carry out much needed social reforms, such as the legalisation of gay marriages and the creation of a more flexible abortion law.

Source

 

[Proletariat]

Wierd future in store for the world.

 

[sandorski]

I wonder if the Opposition Parties have any regrets? Seems counter-productive to sit out an election en masse.

 

[PrinceofWands]

Originally posted by: Stunt
Chavez's parliament begins to work on policies totally unopposed. For the first time in 50 years the parliament has absolutely no opposition members.

Their agenda:
More abortions and gay marriage.

This guy is like Bush's opposite...

Chavez bloc begins work unopposed
By Greg Morsbach
BBC News, Caracas

Venezuela's national assembly is sitting for the first time since the opposition boycotted parliamentary elections in December.

All 167 seats are taken up by Bloc for Change politicians, who are loyal to the left-wing President, Hugo Chavez.

It is the first time in almost 50 years that Venezuela's national assembly has had no opposition members.

Critics say the new assembly is similar to the one in Cuba as it is unlikely to ask awkward questions of the president.

Lively debate

For the next five years Mr Chavez's legislators will be able to pass new laws quickly and without too much fuss in order to drive forward the revolution the president has advocated.

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

But some of the newly-elected assembly members have told the BBC that this is not an issue for the immediate future.

They say they intend to generate lively debate inside the chamber in order to carry out much needed social reforms, such as the legalisation of gay marriages and the creation of a more flexible abortion law.

Source

While I don't support EVERYTHING he's done, I more or less like the guy. Of course, I pretty much like anyone who opposes Bushco, but this is more than that. I did a fairly in depth research report on the guy last semester and was very impressed. I'm fairly certain the US will attempt to overthrow or execute him again soon. Hope he survives it and exposes more US blunder policy.

 

[GroundedSailor]

Originally posted by: Stunt
Chavez's parliament begins to work on policies totally unopposed. For the first time in 50 years the parliament has absolutely no opposition members.

Their agenda:
More abortions and gay marriage.

This guy is like Bush's opposite...

Actually he's like Bush = the difference being he has achieved what bush wishes - no opposition.

 

[fornax]

So how is that different from the previous election in BC, when the Liberal party took all but two seats?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: fornax
So how is that different from the previous election in BC, when the Liberal party took all but two seats?

The difference would be that it wasn't because the NDP just packed it in and refuse to run. Appropriate point though.

 

[Jhhnn]

If nothing else, it shows how much respect that the opposition parties actually have for democracy when they refuse to participate because it would make them look bad...

Given the past, it seems that they're likely looking for other ways to get back to the top of the heap.

 

[piasabird]

You people are assuming elections are fair in venezuela. I dont have much trust for any political system in South America. They also had elections in Iraq and Iran.

 

[irwincur]

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
If nothing else, it shows how much respect that the opposition parties actually have for democracy when they refuse to participate because it would make them look bad...

Given the past, it seems that they're likely looking for other ways to get back to the top of the heap.

lmao the spin some of you put on this guy is amazing.

 

[IronWing]

Originally posted by: irwincur

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

Yea, thank god there's a military down there that understands that democratic process and the rule of law can't be tolerated if it conflicts with the desires of the oligarchy.

 

[Kadarin]

They say they intend to generate lively debate inside the chamber in order to carry out much needed social reforms, such as the legalisation of gay marriages and the creation of a more flexible abortion law.

While I certainly don't have a problem with this stated agenda, I tend to agree with the majority in this thread.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: Stunt
Chavez's parliament begins to work on policies totally unopposed. For the first time in 50 years the parliament has absolutely no opposition members.

Their agenda:
More abortions and gay marriage.

This guy is like Bush's opposite...

Chavez bloc begins work unopposed
By Greg Morsbach
BBC News, Caracas

Venezuela's national assembly is sitting for the first time since the opposition boycotted parliamentary elections in December.

All 167 seats are taken up by Bloc for Change politicians, who are loyal to the left-wing President, Hugo Chavez.

It is the first time in almost 50 years that Venezuela's national assembly has had no opposition members.

Critics say the new assembly is similar to the one in Cuba as it is unlikely to ask awkward questions of the president.

Lively debate

For the next five years Mr Chavez's legislators will be able to pass new laws quickly and without too much fuss in order to drive forward the revolution the president has advocated.

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

But some of the newly-elected assembly members have told the BBC that this is not an issue for the immediate future.

They say they intend to generate lively debate inside the chamber in order to carry out much needed social reforms, such as the legalisation of gay marriages and the creation of a more flexible abortion law.

Source

bolded is exactly what i was thinking.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: irwincur

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

Term limits are not a widely held policy of Modern Democracies. Removing them hardly makes Chavez a Castro.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: piasabird
You people are assuming elections are fair in venezuela. I dont have much trust for any political system in South America. They also had elections in Iraq and Iran.

You are assuming it is not fair. What does that have to do with the Opposition simply not running? Seems difficult to Prove anything if there's only 1 guy to Vote for in the first place, especially when that's not because the one guy made it so.

Iraq elections were a known sham. Iran's, not as much, but choices are limited. Venezuela has International monitors during elections, if there were widespread shenanigans we'd know about them.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: irwincur

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

Term limits are not a widely held policy of Modern Democracies. Removing them hardly makes Chavez a Castro.

It will once they reform the system and we only see his party on the ballot.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: irwincur

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

Term limits are not a widely held policy of Modern Democracies. Removing them hardly makes Chavez a Castro.

It will once they reform the system and we only see his party on the ballot.

That's quite the leap. If that's what happens, then ya, but so far there's been no indications of that.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: irwincur

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

Term limits are not a widely held policy of Modern Democracies. Removing them hardly makes Chavez a Castro.

It will once they reform the system and we only see his party on the ballot.

That's quite the leap. If that's what happens, then ya, but so far there's been no indications of that.

The groundwork is being laid right now. He is consolidating power both economic and political. You can gurantee once he enslaves the population and controls the wealth there will be little opposition politically left. Either they wont be able to afford to run or will be run out of the country.

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: irwincur

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

Term limits are not a widely held policy of Modern Democracies. Removing them hardly makes Chavez a Castro.

It will once they reform the system and we only see his party on the ballot.

That's quite the leap. If that's what happens, then ya, but so far there's been no indications of that.

The groundwork is being laid right now. He is consolidating power both economic and political. You can gurantee once he enslaves the population and controls the wealth there will be little opposition politically left. Either they wont be able to afford to run or will be run out of the country.

Again, you're leaping way ahead. This situation wouldn't exist if the Opposition would have run in the first place. If all that happens, then he's gone too far, but to be predicting that at this time is meaningless. Somehow I think that's what the Opposition wanted, to create the facade of shenanigans, in the hope of prompting US Action. Wouldn't be surprised if it works, but couldn't support it.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: irwincur

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

Term limits are not a widely held policy of Modern Democracies. Removing them hardly makes Chavez a Castro.

It will once they reform the system and we only see his party on the ballot.

That's quite the leap. If that's what happens, then ya, but so far there's been no indications of that.

The groundwork is being laid right now. He is consolidating power both economic and political. You can gurantee once he enslaves the population and controls the wealth there will be little opposition politically left. Either they wont be able to afford to run or will be run out of the country.

Again, you're leaping way ahead. This situation wouldn't exist if the Opposition would have run in the first place. If all that happens, then he's gone too far, but to be predicting that at this time is meaningless. Somehow I think that's what the Opposition wanted, to create the facade of shenanigans, in the hope of prompting US Action. Wouldn't be surprised if it works, but couldn't support it.

I doubt that, they probably honestly protested due to election problems. Whether or not it was the smart thing to do is a different story.

Remember that a couple of weeks ago we read a nice article where Chavez claimed the US was trying to overthrow him via a coup? That is fine except he started saying the opposition party is part of it as well. Hmm where have I heard this before? How about all of Eastern Europe?


But who knows, maybe he will be a Socialist who doesnt become a dictator?

 

[sandorski]

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: Genx87

Originally posted by: sandorski

Originally posted by: irwincur

Critics say the assembly is likely to vote in favour of changing the constitution to allow Mr Chavez to stand in presidential elections as many times as he wishes.

This pretty much sums it all up...

The guy is a Castro wanna-be. Unfortunately for him - his military hates his guts so I doubt this regime will last all that long.

Term limits are not a widely held policy of Modern Democracies. Removing them hardly makes Chavez a Castro.

It will once they reform the system and we only see his party on the ballot.

That's quite the leap. If that's what happens, then ya, but so far there's been no indications of that.

The groundwork is being laid right now. He is consolidating power both economic and political. You can gurantee once he enslaves the population and controls the wealth there will be little opposition politically left. Either they wont be able to afford to run or will be run out of the country.

Again, you're leaping way ahead. This situation wouldn't exist if the Opposition would have run in the first place. If all that happens, then he's gone too far, but to be predicting that at this time is meaningless. Somehow I think that's what the Opposition wanted, to create the facade of shenanigans, in the hope of prompting US Action. Wouldn't be surprised if it works, but couldn't support it.

I doubt that, they probably honestly protested due to election problems. Whether or not it was the smart thing to do is a different story.

Remember that a couple of weeks ago we read a nice article where Chavez claimed the US was trying to overthrow him via a coup? That is fine except he started saying the opposition party is part of it as well. Hmm where have I heard this before? How about all of Eastern Europe?


But who knows, maybe he will be a Socialist who doesnt become a dictator?

It wouldn't surprise me if he's right. It's not like it wasn't tried on him already.