Editor,
Daily Lobo columnist Scott Darnell tells us Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez is a dictator.
At the legislative elections on July 30, 2000, the party that supported Chávez won 76 out of 165 seats in the National Assembly. The same day, Chávez was elected president with 59.5 percent of the vote. He again won in 2005 with 60 percent of the vote. On Jan. 10, the final ballot count gave him 62.85 percent against Manuel Rosales. Chávez increased his lead in each election. So I must ask Darnell, is this democracy?
Let's turn to the U.S. and ask who the noble dictator is. Bush won his first election with fewer votes than his opponent, when a court with seven Republicans and two Democrats stopped the counting.
After Sept. 11, 2001, the White House grasped the opportunity to brainwash Americans, using fear to consolidate the power of the executive, and this power was not used to protect the United States. Bush's political capital was used to spy on Americans, leave thousands to drown in New Orleans and give deficit-financed tax cuts to the elite that will be paid for by future generations. Pork was freely served to his financial supporters, and he confused the citizens of the U.S. so they would support an optional war in Iraq. Then Bush proceeded to lose the war that was supposed to cost $50 billion at most, according to Donald Rumsfeld. It has been estimated the war will cost the U.S. $1.5 trillion.
Darnell argues that disseminating propaganda is essential to buy into a corrupt program, and Bush would agree. This is an effective tool for an executive, if the government desires to put its all-too-visible hand on the economy of a country. Private contractors got rich with outrageous no-bid contracts in Iraq, and favors were sold by Republican legislators and political appointees, but Darnell focuses on another country? Our government will bail out a bank if it fails. It allows the airline industry to file repeated bankruptcies, and it limits a citizen's ability to seek the same protection. Is this the free market Darnell speaks of?
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If the people of Venezuela want a man in power that will nationalize industry, it is their choice, and we must leave it to them. The Cold War is over. If you hate Chávez, blame Bush for building the box on which he stands. Chávez would not have his voice if the price of oil hadn't gone through the roof after Iraq was invaded. Isn't that ironic?
Isaac Padilla
UNM student
