Chávez in perpetuity
He’s won today, and has laid down the road to his own perpetuity in power. And in response, Bolívar turns in his grave:
“Las repetidas elecciones son esenciales en los sistemas populares, porque nada es tan peligroso como dejar permanecer largo tiempo en un mismo ciudadano el poder. El pueblo se acostumbra a obedecerle y él se acostumbra a mandarlo; de donde se origina la usurpación y la tiranía. Un justo celo es la garantía de la libertad republicana, y nuestros ciudadanos deben temer con sobrada justicia que el mismo magistrado, que los ha mandado mucho tiempo, los mande perpetuamente.”
Quick translation (italics are my own):
“Regular elections are essential in popular systems [of governance], because nothing can be more dangerous than for one citizen to remain in power over a long period of time. The people become accustomed to obeying him and he gets used to ruling them, where from originates [the threat of] usurpation, and tyranny. A certain degree of justifiable zeal will be the guarantee of republican freedom, and our citizens should fear with equal license [the possibility] that the same official, who has commanded them for a long time, rule them in perpetuity. “
Speaking from his palace balcony this morning, the 10-year Venezuelan ruler joined a crowd of enthusiastic supporters by chanting, “The people, united, will never be defeated!”
Tags: democracy, hugo chavez, no, perpetuity, politics, si, simon bolivar, socialism, venezuelaTags: democracy, hugo chavez, no, perpetuity, politics, si, simon bolivar, socialism, venezuela