In fact, Mr. Chavez’s rewrite would complete his transformation into an autocrat. It would lengthen his presidential term from six to seven years and remove the current limit of two terms, allowing him to serve indefinitely. He would have broad powers to seize property, to dispose of Venezuela’s foreign exchange reserves, to impose central government rule on local jurisdictions and to declare indefinite states of emergency under which due process and freedom of information would be suspended. As a populist sop, one provision would reduce the workday from eight to six hours; that benefit, the state’s control over national television and the voting process, and the apparent intention of many Venezuelans to stay away from the polls are expected to deliver the necessary ratification.
More surprisingly, UN labor agency, the International Labor Organization, condemns Venezuela government crackdown on business groups
Where’s the Left? Blaming Bush, that’s where. (h/t Siggy)
Is Chavez his own most dangerous enemy?
We shall find out.
Meanwhile, over at IBD… (h/t GM Roper
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