What a surprise! Venezuela president Hugo Chavez has won another six-year presidential term. After 14 years in office, Chavez will now be able to solidify socialism in a country with the world's largest proven oil reserves.
The margin was 54 percent. Apparently Chavez was so worried about the opposition he ordered tanks into the streets.
Socialism is a sinister system of government. Once entrenched, it is difficult to remove. That's becaue it represents, along with its political twin, communism, something that appeals to the lower parts of our human nature: something for nothing; robbing Peter to pay Paul and spreading the wealth around. Except with socialism, there is less wealth to spread around, because the incentive to create, invest and take risks is depleted.
Chavez has had struggles with cancer and been treated in Cuba where he and the Castro brothers are tight. Not to mention his relationship with Iran's regime. Venezuela is one more trouble spot the U.S. must watch. As if we didn't have enough already.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Publication date: October 9, 2012
