By Frank Crimi
Hugo Chavez’s socialist revolution continues on, as Venezuelans elected the tyrannical strongman to a third consecutive six-year presidential term on Sunday. The Chavez victory was somewhat unexpected due to the great problems the country faces as a direct result of Chavez’s leadership — including endemic government corruption and inefficiency, an imploding economy, runaway inflation, vast consumer shortages, electricity blackouts and surging violence. Yet considering Chavez’s radical redistributionist policies, and much of the Venezuelan public’s economic interest in overlooking his abuses, it is an unfortunate fact that his challenger’s failure should not be surprising.......In truth, Capriles is probably right. The occurrence of voter fraud in Venezuela’s presidential election, if there was any, may be far less significant than the effect a comprehensive socialist program has had on degenerating the better judgment of voters with respect to what’s in the country’s long-term interests. Rather, habituation to radical redistributionist policies have kept a comfortable portion of voters reliably in Chavez’s pocket, despite his systematic dismantlement of Venezuelan democracy and egregious abuses of power........As one analyst said, “I think he just cranked up the patronage machine and unleashed a spending orgy.”
Chavez was assisted in his campaign by the mostly government-controlled Venezuelan media. What remains of the country’s independent press was likely too fearful of being shut down, or worse, arrested for criticizing him. To Read More…..
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