Is Hugo Chavez the next Hitler in the making?

Question

There are frightening parallels between the two tyrants. Each populist leader formed a personality cult. In Venezuala this is often found with posters everywhere of the “great leader”, as well as images of el Maximo everywhere in state and/or public media. Like Chavez, Hitler rose to power on a "help the poor" ruse also. German factories were transformed from gloomy caverns to spacious and healthy work centers, with natural lighting, surrounded by gardens and playing fields. Hundreds of thousands of attractive houses were built for working class families. A policy of several weeks of paid vacation was introduced, along with weekend and holiday trips by land and sea. A wide-ranging program of physical and cultural education for young workers was established, with the world's best system of technical training. The Third Reich's social security and workers' health insurance system was the world's most modern and complete.

Once the populist established a rapport with the working class, they could begin the process of building up their military. Venezuela recently closed deals with Russia worth roughly $3 billion for 24 Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jets, 53 military helicopters and 100,000 Kalashnikov rifles. Venezuela is also obtaining a license for the first Kalashnikov rifle factory in Latin America.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad called Chavez "my brother" on a recent visit to Venezuala. Chavez honored the Iranian leader with a medal and demanded that the U.S. destroy its own nuclear arsenal instead of harassing Iran about a nuclear program that he said is purely for "producing electricity". A leading Jewish group, the Venezuelan Confederation of Israeli Associations, expressed discomfort over the visit by a leader who has called for Israel's destruction.

Chavez and Ahmadinejad spoke with Iranian businessmen who are helping build a $250 million plant in eastern Venezuala. "We are going to install a system for rockets and missiles" said Chavez.

What is Chavez planning to do next?

*NOTE: This isn't a question about Bush, so keep your remarks about him elsewhere.

Answer 1

I'd say maybe not but he comes close. Ahmadinejad, Kim Jong-ill, Castro, and Chavez all have thier own style of governing but they all have some things in common. They are evil tyrants. Egocentric. Charismatic. Greedy. They will acquire power any way they can and if they could, would dominate the world. If they succeeded in that, they would then fight each other.

Answer 2

The person in that entire rant that even comes close to him is Amenihajad, or however you spell it. Chavez is nowhere near the mentality of Hitler, so whatever pundit you got your "information" from may want to recheck their sources.

Answer 3

Of course not.

Can't anyone think of anyone other than Hitler to compare folks to? Who did we compare Hitler to when he was siezing power?

Look at modern threats in the light of recent history but stop trying to draw absolute parallels. Doesn't work.

Answer 4

Not even close. The kind of Venezuela you describe is not the one I've seen not the one that most people there would recognize.

Answer 5

As far as I know, Chavez hasn't invaded any other countries or called for the extermination of any ethnic, racial, or religious group.

Answer 6

He has to get in line behind Ahmadinejad and Kim Jong-il.

Answer 7

oh please. This question is ridiculous.Chavez. Hitler. No comparison. Try comparing Hitler with someone more in tune to Hitler's beliefs, and behaviors.

Answer 8

no, hitler was german, & failed his people & himself then commited sucide

Answer 9

No.