[Dr. Shon Thomson]

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) -- Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez announced plans Monday to nationalize Venezuela's electrical and telecommunications companies, pledging to create a socialist state in a bold move with echoes of Fidel Castro's Cuban revolution.

"We're moving toward a socialist republic of Venezuela, and that requires a deep reform of our national constitution," Chavez said in a televised address after swearing in his Cabinet. "We are in an existential moment of Venezuelan life. We're heading toward socialism, and nothing and no one can prevent it."

Chavez, who will be sworn in Wednesday to a third term that runs through 2013, also said he wanted a constitutional amendment to eliminate the autonomy of the Central Bank and would soon ask the National Assembly, solidly controlled by his allies, to give him greater powers to legislate by presidential decree.

The nationalization appeared likely to affect Electricidad de Caracas, owned by Arlington, Virginia-based AES Corp., and C.A. Nacional Telefonos de Venezuela, known as CANTV, the country's largest publicly traded company.

"All of that which was privatized, let it be nationalized," Chavez said, referring to "all of those sectors in an area so important and strategic for all of us as is electricity."

"The nation should recover its ownership of strategic sectors," he said.

Before Chavez was re-elected last month with nearly 63 percent of the vote, he promised to take a more radical turn toward socialism.

Chavez said that lucrative oil projects in the Orinoco River basin involving foreign oil companies should be under national ownership. He didn't spell out whether that meant a complete nationalization, but said any vestiges of private control over the energy sector should be undone.

"I'm referring to how international companies have control and power over all those processes of improving the heavy crudes of the Orinoco belt -- no -- that should become the property of the nation," Chavez said.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americ....ap/index.html He's proposing theft of Electricidad de Caracas.

Perhaps the US should reciprocate by seizing all of Citgo's assets in the US and giving them to AES?

Also, for all the Chavez fans out there, how do you like his latest step toward dictatorship?

Chavez, who will be sworn in Wednesday to a third term that runs through 2013, also said he wanted a constitutional amendment to eliminate the autonomy of the Central Bank and would soon ask the National Assembly, solidly controlled by his allies, to give him greater powers to legislate by presidential decree. Matt

[Asianunta]

I think it is up to the people in that country. As often as they overthrow governments in Latin America they obviously are not that tired of him yet. If I lived in that country I would not vote for him. I also think that his form of socialism can't last forever since it is based on oil and the prices fluctuate so much. I'm sure this latest plunge in oil prices is will hurt if it continues for too long. He also isn't spending enough of the profits on investment back in the industry which could lower revenues later. However, I do not live their and it is up to the people he represents to make the decision and so far they seem very happy with him. Personally I really do not feel that he is worth giving as much attention as he is considering he is of no threat to our nation. However, this site gives him more attention than any other foreign leader it seems. He gets a new thread about every week. I guess he is more relevant then I give him credit for.

[Fainnamoony]

I don't see every word out of his mouth as shocking..

[Fainnamoony]

I think it is up to the people in that country. As often as they overthrow governments in Latin America they obviously are not that tired of him yet. If I lived in that country I would not vote for him. I also think that his form of socialism can't last forever since it is based on oil and the prices fluctuate so much. I'm sure this latest plunge in oil prices is will hurt if it continues for too long. He also isn't spending enough of the profits on investment back in the industry which could lower revenues later. However, I do not live their and it is up to the people he represents to make the decision and so far they seem very happy with him. Personally I really do not feel that he is worth giving as much attention as he is considering he is of no threat to our nation. However, this site gives him more attention than any other foreign leader it seems. He gets a new thread about every week. I guess he is more relevant then I give him credit for.

I don't see the oil market dramatically crashing. Oil supplies are not strong and the demand is going to always be there with the current infrastructure. As far as energy goes the only plus has been the weather and the large supplies of natural gas. Usually the Northeast swallows a huge amount during the winter storms. But even so it doesn't take much for energy to rocket up in price as refinaries are at peak. If the US economy collapses and there's less demand there is still money to be made in oil exporting.

The worst problem is the national debt... Chavez says bad stuff about the central bank and I'm supposed to be offended..
Personally I don't benifit from globalization.

[Dr. Shon Thomson]

The worst problem is the national debt... Chavez says bad stuff about the central bank and I'm supposed to be offended..
Personally I don't benifit from globalization.

Of course not. You posted this, I am sure, from a computer you built by hand, over a cable you personally strung, to a hub you personally spun the fiber for.....

No, you certainly aren't enjoying any fruits of globalization...

Matt

[stunnyravytal]

Hugo is a left-wing reaction against our President's divinely inspired policies. At some point in the fairly near future, we will need to counter-act the left-wing swing of nations to our south. They are a growing threat to the interests and security of the US.

[neotheMit]

Chavez is isolating his country along with it's citizens. Basically, he just scared off every foreign investor. No foreigner is going to make an investment into Venezula. No foreign government is going to loan Venezula money.

As we have seen in the past. Today, the people of Cuba live in absolute poverty. Castro seised all foreign investment-- scaring off investors into the country. He took from the wealthy citizens, killed off the educated, burned books, seized private property, all under the pretense that, "it's good for Cubans". And look what they have today. Their only hope, is to float across dangerous waters to hit the coast of the U.S.

Chavez has taken the exact same road. The only one who benefits is Chavez himself. It's up to the Venezulans to decide if they want tourism dollars, & a decent living wage, or extreme poverty by following Chavez. Venezulans need to WAKE UP.

[Rapiddude]

Chavez is isolating his country along with it's citizens. Basically, he just scared off every foreign investor. No foreigner is going to make an investment into Venezula. No foreign government is going to loan Venezula money.

As we have seen in the past. Today, the people of Cuba live in absolute poverty. Castro seised all foreign investment-- scaring off investors into the country. He took from the wealthy citizens, killed off the educated, burned books, seized private property, all under the pretense that, "it's good for Cubans". And look what they have today. Their only hope, is to float across dangerous waters to hit the coast of the U.S.

Chavez has taken the exact same road. The only one who benefits is Chavez himself. It's up to the Venezulans to decide if they want tourism dollars, & a decent living wage, or extreme poverty by following Chavez. Venezulans need to WAKE UP.

This is kinda funny, but it shows how much you DON'T know.

Ummm.... Chavez IS the bank of Latin America. The goal is to depart from IMF dependancy.

Geez... you have absolutely no clue do you?

[Lydiaswingert]

Of course not. You posted this, I am sure, from a computer you built by hand, over a cable you personally strung, to a hub you personally spun the fiber for.....

No, you certainly aren't enjoying any fruits of globalization...

Matt

I'm left wondering if you know what globalization is? Perhaps you'd care to explain how technological development is in any way dependent on it?

And if you don't like the way Chavez is consolidating power, why are you so approving of corporations doing so?

[HaroldMY]

He's proposing theft of Electricidad de Caracas.

Perhaps the US should reciprocate by seizing all of Citgo's assets in the US and giving them to AES?

Also, for all the Chavez fans out there, how do you like his latest step toward dictatorship?



Matt

First of all Matt, I`m not a one sided fan of Mr. Chavez.
And I do believe, that his comments of your president being an alcoholic copy of Satan himself, was way over the top. ( Even though, you can follow him some of the way , you just don`t say things that way in official speaches.

Second, he is elected fair and square with a huge majority, if I remember correct.
That means, that what he is doing has a foundation in the population.

I don`t like his move against more power to himself personally, and definately not if it is his intention, that it should end up being a dictatorship in spe.

On the other hand, dictatorships in South America, very seldom results in the wealths going to be shared among the common people.

It`s no secret, that South America has been robbed and abused, by big corporations, and other governments for lots of years, and I certainly understands, if he is planning to put an end to that.
In that sence, he has got my full sympathy.

And talking about theft Matt, I do believe that your government, in compagny with exxon, Shell and BP, in this very moment, is putting the last hand on the plan, of how to share the Iraqi oil wealth between them.
To say the least, I find that a lot less symphatic.


Jen

[9V4i8xw1]

Once again - can you say Castro?

This guy MUST have a copy of his playbook...only thing missing is the cigar

[cokLoolioli]

First of all Matt, I`m not a one sided fan of Mr. Chavez.
And I do believe, that his comments of your president being an alcoholic copy of Satan himself, was way over the top. ( Even though, you can follow him some of the way , you just don`t say things that way in official speaches.

Second, he is elected fair and square with a huge majority, if I remember correct.
That means, that what he is doing has a foundation in the population.

I don`t like his move against more power to himself personally, and definately not if it is his intention, that it should end up being a dictatorship in spe.

On the other hand, dictatorships in South America, very seldom results in the wealths going to be shared among the common people.

It`s no secret, that South America has been robbed and abused, by big corporations, and other governments for lots of years, and I certainly understands, if he is planning to put an end to that.
In that sence, he has got my full sympathy.

And talking about theft Matt, I do believe that your government, in compagny with exxon, Shell and BP, in this very moment, is putting the last hand on the plan, of how to share the Iraqi oil wealth between them.
To say the least, I find that a lot less symphatic.


Jen

I wouldnt say he was elected fair and square. There is significant evidence that the first election was rigged in part. And dont forget he came to power in a military coup.

As for Iraq, which has nothing to do with this conversation, you are incorrect. American companies will have no ownership of Iraq oil resources. How about sticking to the topic, which is Venezuela?

[sarasaraseda]

.......It`s no secret, that South America has been robbed and abused, by big corporations, and other governments for lots of years, and I certainly understands, if he is planning to put an end to that.
In that sence, he has got my full sympathy.

And talking about theft Matt, I do believe that your government, in compagny with exxon, Shell and BP, in this very moment, is putting the last hand on the plan, of how to share the Iraqi oil wealth between them.
To say the least, I find that a lot less symphatic.


Jen

Blaming the poverty of dictatorships on "evil" corporations is trendy left-wing garbage. Most of the income they have is from oil; the people of Venezuela avoid starvation purely because of income that comes from "evil" capitalists. Their own corrupt and stupid leftist regimes fail at even the most basic level to allow for the development of a healthy economy, and loot their own treasuries.

Your sympathy for this abusive fool is absurd. He makes life miserable for his own people - but because he is far left and hates Americans and corporations, you "sympathize" with him. Ludicrous. Anti-Americanism is like a narcotic that gets in the way of intelligent and reasonable observations.

I wonder if you would be willing to live in a nation run by one of the many sleazy, scheming leftist dictators who have destroyed so many economies in South America since the days of the Perons in Argentina? I certainly would not. Would you?

[AdvertisingPo]

Blaming the poverty of dictatorships on "evil" corporations is trendy left-wing garbage. Most of the income they have is from oil; the people of Venezuela avoid starvation purely because of income that comes from "evil" capitalists. Their own corrupt and stupid leftist regimes fail at even the most basic level to allow for the development of a healthy economy, and loot their own treasuries.

Your sympathy for this abusive fool is absurd. He makes life miserable for his own people - but because he is far left and hates Americans and corporations, you "sympathize" with him. Ludicrous. Anti-Americanism is like a narcotic that gets in the way of intelligent and reasonable observations.

I wonder if you would be willing to live in a nation run by one of the many sleazy, scheming leftist dictators who have destroyed so many economies in South America since the days of the Perons in Argentina? I certainly would not. Would you?

Explain then, why Argentina, run by LEFTIST Nestor Kirchner, is rapidly recovering from the economic disaster of 2001, brought on by following policies recommended by the IMF.

[Fainnamoony]

Of course not. You posted this, I am sure, from a computer you built by hand, over a cable you personally strung, to a hub you personally spun the fiber for.....

No, you certainly aren't enjoying any fruits of globalization...

Matt

I think wiseguy is trying to tell me the market is cornered or something or maybe you don't understand that I knooowww that..

[Fainnamoony]

Blaming the poverty of dictatorships on "evil" corporations is trendy left-wing garbage. Most of the income they have is from oil; the people of Venezuela avoid starvation purely because of income that comes from "evil" capitalists. Their own corrupt and stupid leftist regimes fail at even the most basic level to allow for the development of a healthy economy, and loot their own treasuries.

Your sympathy for this abusive fool is absurd. He makes life miserable for his own people - but because he is far left and hates Americans and corporations, you "sympathize" with him. Ludicrous. Anti-Americanism is like a narcotic that gets in the way of intelligent and reasonable observations.

I wonder if you would be willing to live in a nation run by one of the many sleazy, scheming leftist dictators who have destroyed so many economies in South America since the days of the Perons in Argentina? I certainly would not. Would you?

We all should just put our heads down and accept communism in other words.

[Fainnamoony]

Mattlarson I know things you probably don't know or can't think of.. I know you started this thread and you are going to try to be right in every instance. I would like to discuss the subject but since you are not up for an open discussion I'm leaving the thread and keeping my knowlege for meaningful discussion.. Goodie day..

[Dr. Shon Thomson]

Mattlarson I know things you probably don't know or can't think of.. I know you started this thread and you are going to try to be right in every instance. I would like to discuss the subject but since you are not up for an open discussion I'm leaving the thread and keeping my knowlege for meaningful discussion.. Goodie day..

Not sure what you mean here, since I simply pointed out that contrary to your assertion, you do benefit from globalization.

But if you want to take your toys and go home, OK.

Matt

[AdvertisingPo]

I find it ironic that you guys all flip a shit over Chavez consolidating power, but nary a word about Putin.

[Swidemaiskikemu]

This thread is funny.

Chavez is running the country for his people (thus his popularity). He open a recent history book and while corruption is rife in Latin America, it was world corporations which were paying...

His stance has not been mild mannered... But either has the respouse (which has been idiotic from the Bush Administration). They definately knew of a coup to get rid of him and might hand a in it..

Venezula is an Oil country. And as usual takes precedence over non Oil countries. Chavez doesn't have a army or the wish to invade neighbours. He has never threatened the Americain people. He stated openly that he thinks the Bush Administration are assholes(not a exclusive club). He threw out companies which openly brided there way in to exploit venezula resources. He reversed stupid privatisation polices which have not worked in the country (Look at Railtrack in UK they did the same).

He has shared the wealth with the poor. And to top it off he has one of the fastest growing GDP in the world...

And he doesn't give a royal rats ass what some foriegn goverment thinks of him and is not afriad to say it.

So would I vote for the guy... Not prefect by any means but better than his predessors