But guys, this is nothing new, is it? It happened in many countries where the new president has come into power via the empoverished classes. Before Chavez, Mobutu did it as well. They need to appease their constituents and how do you keep the poor happy? Indeed..... It isn't necessarily something "communist", just a very effective means to keep the power.
Unfortunatly for all presidents who used this means is that their country was utterly ruined economically. The entrepreneurs leave their country (although commonly it is an ethnic minority that pays the bill, like the Chinese in Burundi and Indonesia). So the poor just get poorer and he loses the power via the people he tried to keep as friends.

Hopefully he loses it fast enough so that someone else can step in and take up the reins for a more sensible government.

I think the British and French Govornments should retailiate. If Chavez is going to seize foreign property in Venezuela then its only fair that these govornments seize Venezuelan assets in Europe.

Originally Posted by mmarsh

I think the British and French Govornments should retailiate. If Chavez is going to seize foreign property in Venezuela then its only fair that these govornments seize Venezuelan assets in Europe.

They may see it as a civil thing and not an international thing. Of course I am talking out of ignorance here but this -below- pretty much sums up (to me) the feelings of many in the world.

*Thinks to themselves "It doesn't affect me"* Advice given: "Turn the other cheek."

Originally Posted by mmarsh

I think the British and French Govornments should retailiate. If Chavez is going to seize foreign property in Venezuela then its only fair that these govornments seize Venezuelan assets in Europe.

How many Venezuelan assests are there in Europe? And I don't mind the equilizing of the Venezuelan properties, I just hope they do it wisely. Many national firms have been bought over the years in dubious deals, I guess they'll set someting right.

So this is news. Chavez idolizes Castro and Che. He'll a wonderful country with wonderful people into a 3rd World s***hole.

Originally Posted by 03USMC

So this is news. Chavez idolizes Castro and Che. He'll a wonderful country with wonderful people into a 3rd World s***hole.

Wasn't it already a 3rd world country?

Not according to my doc.

What is it called according to your documentation (?) Bulldogg. Hopefully it also states what criteria are used for measuring the degree of development. I am actually interested in this info, so it's not a spoof from me....

Venezuela used to be one of Latin America's most developed and peaceful countries, after Argentina, Uruguay, Panama and Costa Rica.
Chavez's power base is the urban poor classes and the big industry, the tycoons. He resorts to anti-Americanism and a strong socialist/communist lexicon and rhetorics. No surprise the middle class is leaving the country.