There is growing evidence of reforms helping Venezuela's poor

[Say_What]

<clips>

CARACAS, Venezuela -- You can see two worlds from this shambles of misery that creeps up the mountain.

The first is the neighborhood itself. Crude cinder-block houses lurch up the slope. The streets are tight -- some no wider than the span of a man's arms. Contaminated water courses down homemade canals. It's loud, dirty and cramped here.

The second lies in the valley below. Skyscrapers owned by multinationals soar in neat bundles. The colonial-era Congress building gleams white. The broad avenues of the rich in the east chug with traffic -- symbols of power and wealth throbbing in the distance.

The first world belongs to Maria Lopez. The second, to her dreams.

"I'm planning to make a lot of money and leave here," Lopez, 48, said one recent afternoon as she sat on a worn couch in her cramped living room. "I have hope."

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/articles.php?artno=1029

<>

[burrowowl]

1. Not to

worry Maria, the U$A will ensure a coup and not let you move.
The U$A can't have this happen.
BTW, workers can get living wages and the country still compete, e.g., Japan and Korean workers make more than U$A workers.

[DuctapeFatwa]

2. Chavez is the most unappreciated hero of our age

He is trying single-handedly to pull Venezuela back up from the pit into which the US is sliding eagerly: a tiny elite oligarchy, a huge mass of desperately poor, and no middle class to speak of.

[Minstrel Boy]

3. Absolutely right!

Let's not wait until he's be Pinochet'd to appreciate this man.
The left has enough martyrs, let's celebrate some living heroes.

[JasonBerry]

9. Have you seen the documentary on Chavez/Coup?

Absolutely riveting. Talk about being on the inside...a video camera inside when Chavez is arrested and the coup begins. Incredible documentary that is a must-see if it comes to your area. It is titled, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised and there's a shorter version by a different name.

[Minstrel Boy]

10. Seen it twice on CBC Newsworld

and the last time I was smart enough to tape it. Wonderful, inspiring stuff.

I've been thinking today of the clip of the Venezuelan TV broadcast in which Chavez said he supports fighting terrorism by going after the root causes which turn people to desperate measures. That terrorism would be defeated by fighting inequality and injustice, "not -" and he holds up a photo of a dead Afghan child -"not like this.... Look at her - yesterday she was alive, with her family.... You cannot fight terror with terror!"

Viva Chavez.

[Say_What]

6. therein lies the problem, at least according to Uncle Sam

His policies to help the poor of his nation (80%), do not bode well with Uncle Sam's idea of globalization. After all, can't have those other Third World countries get uppity enough to demand basic human rights such as food, healthcare, shelter, and education </sarcasm> This is why Chavez is the target and it's the reason the US has desperately tried for 40+ years to overthrow the Cuban government. Lula may end up on this list as well, sadly.

and I whole heartedly agree with your statement about the US sliding into the pit of elite oligarchy while the rest starve. Sorry state of affairs in the US where:

the number of Americans living below the nation's official poverty line rose by 1.7 million from 2001 to 2002, reaching a total of 34.6 million (12.1 percent of the total U.S. population).

1 out of 6 people is uninsured (including 12 million children)

homelessness is now a crime in many major cities

where families with children are the fastest growing segment of those who are homeless

On EDIT: the land of the free is also the world's biggest jailer and has the distinction of being known as part of the 'axis of executioners' along with China and Iran. All of this is bad enough, but the topper is that the United States is one of only six countries with documented executions of child offenders since 1990, need I mention the execution of the mentally ill and the retarded? Some record!! and they have the audacity to point fingers everywhere else. What hypocrites!!!

[DuctapeFatwa]

8. You're right. I wish I could b more optimistic about a political solution

in the US as well as in Venezuela. Unfortunately, though, I think that things have gone too far for that.

Societies make choices, and choices have consequences.

[scarletlib]

12. You are right

Don't forget Lula in Brazil trying to do the same for his people. They both face massive resistance from the entrenched monied class.

[jmcgowanjm]

4. If AHHnuld can love Waldheim like a father

and Haider as a brother.
and appreciate Hitler's skills,

then Fidel Castro is my Hero of the
downtrodden.

Chavez-Frias is my Brother in Arms

and I appreciate Commandante Marcos.

[goforit]

5. May the people rise within!!!!

Go Venezuela!!!!

[loudnclear]

7. No wonder we are bombing Venezuela...they might be really helping

the poor there. Can't let that happen. It sets a bad precedent.
Watch how our boys work to destablize the area even harder. Watch out Lula, you are next!

[Mairead]

11. you are ALL supporting Dennis, right?