American Republic Online

In a shocking defeat to the world’s friendliest Dictator President, the people of Venezuela voted down Hugo Chavez’s brave new socialistic world. The reforms included:

• ending presidential term limits
• appointing local leaders under a redrawn political map
• ending the central bank’s autonomy
• reduction in the working day to six hours
• creating a social fund for informal workers
• further establishing community councils where residents can decide how to spend government money

Isn’t it great how socialism can promise reduced work and increased spending? It’s magic! The best part, of course, was the brilliant speech by Hugo himself as he provided the political analysis from the state-run TV networks:

“Perhaps I made a mistake in the timing of my proposals, that could be, that we (the people of Venezuela) are not politically mature enough,” he said.

“It’s a challenge for us, we’re going to convince those of our comrades who have doubts, those who have fears concerning socialism.”

It’s good to know that at least 51% of the Venezuelan people realize that as good as the promises at the beginning always sound, socialism has failed every single time it has been attempted. Well at least for the vast majority of the people - a few at the top seem to live pretty well. Meanwhile capitalism has created all of the nation states that make the rest of the world jealous.

• BBC News