Anyone who reads the Phalanx on a regular basis recognizes that Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez is a popular subject of discussion. But why? Why so much interest in Chavez and not other leaders in Latin America or indeed the world? Quite simply, Chavez represents the present and the future…the present and the future of the world leftist movement. Since coming to power in 1998, Chavez has been recognized for two things: lofty promises and anti-American diatribes. Chavez came to power on a vow to be a champion for the poor, unfortunately for Venezuela his movement is rooted in words rather than deeds. Under Chavez, foreign investment in Venezuela has declined significantly. Under Chavez, the number of people living in poverty has increased and the housing shortage, a major component of Chavez’s empty promises, continues to plague ordinary citizens.

As a socialist, Chavez is the archetypical Mussolini-esque politician. Chavez has promised his citizens heaven on earth, but has only succeeded in enhancing his own power. He has silenced opposition, and rules as a virtual dictator, ignoring the rule of law. Under Chavez, the state is supreme and the individual and individual achievement are inhibited. It is for this reason that Chavez has chased out missionaries working with indigenous tribes in rural regions, they threaten to sow the seeds of individual responsibility, thus undermining Chavez’s goal of a subservient class of citizens. Under normal circumstances the populace would grow weary of a leader who has failed to live up to his lofty promises, but here again Chavez excels as an expert propagandist. Chavez controls the media and has even created a national news network that never ceases to sing the praises of Latin America’s answer to Mussolini.

From time to time Chavez further distracts his people by diverting attention from domestic concerns and focusing attention on a perceived external enemy. Chavez is the typical leftist who blames others for their problems. The same people who blame the West for 3rd world corruption and high birth rates. The same left that calls for highly progressive taxes to punish those who are successful. The same left that blames the victims for the actions of criminals. The same left that blames society for Johnny’s failure to perform in school. Indeed, Chavez is the perennial leftist. Blame is his ultimate tool and strategy and quite often it is America he blames and if blame isn’t sufficient he creates scenarios that are reality only in his head. Scenarios for which only Chavez has a solution. Who can forget Chavez’s claims of assassination attempts or the assertion that Halloween was a conspiracy of the US design to instill fear around the world, never mind, the fact that Halloween customs are over 2000 years old and originated in Ireland. How many times has Chavez charged that the US was spying or invading? How many times has Chavez asserted that Venezuela’s very existence is under threat? The figures are no doubt astronomical.

Chavez’s tactics are not lost on leftists here at home. Witness the broad appeal Chavez commands, such devotion is not lost on the Harry Rieds, Nancy Pelosis and Hillary Clintons of the world. These tactics are emulated by the left, who purposely make wild and unsupported accusations, realizing that some are some easily deceived. Hence these charges will be accepted as fact. The left in this country, soundly blame others for their problems and the problems of their constituents, creating a scenario in which only the left has a solution, setting the stage for a subservient class of citizens in this country, dependent on the state and incapable of individual decision making.
http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=53589
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=worldNews&storyID=2005-11-15T233826Z_01_MCC585073_RTRUKOC_0_US-VENEZUELA-USA.xml&archived=False