What's wrong with Chavez, exactly?

Question

What's the source of all the ill-feeling towards Hugo Chavez here? He's a democratically elected leader who is doing a lot to help his people.

Yes, he nationalised the oil industry in Venezuala, but this is because he wants the people in his country (who are generally pretty poor) to get some of the money from the country's resources, rather than oil companies.

Yes, he's a socialist, but the people of Venezuala clearly support socialism, and he's not harming anybody. Isn't it up to them what political ideology they should follow?

Yes, he's criticised the USA, but that's his right. Should everyone be forced to support America?

The USA has a long and brutal history of toppling left-wing democracies in Central and South America and replacing them with harsh dictatorships, leading to thousands of deaths, and the pattern appears to be repeating itself.

What's so wrong with Chavez?

Answer 1

There are other ways to put a point across without resorting to childish name-calling. Chavez appears to me to use his brand of base rhetoric in order to bring attention to himself, rather than to address the injustices of the past and the challenges of the future. He should learn the language of diplomacy. His eternal rantings make him look stupid or insane - or both - and he probably isn't either.

When I was in Venezuela I read an article which said he drinks like 12 double espressos a day and barely sleeps. What's wrong with him might be partly physiological. Nobody can think clearly if they're an insomniac who is constantly strung out on caffeine.

Answer 2

You mean besides the fact that Chavez is a former right wing military dictator wannabe?

Most people don't seem to know that in 1992,
Colonel Chavez of the Venezuelan Army tried to overthrow the Democratically elected government of Venezuela.

President H.W. Bush refused to acknowledge that illegal government and Chavez spent several years in prison for treason, until pardoned by the next President of Venezuela.

That might have something to do with Chavez not liking the US or President Bush.

Ya think ???

Answer 3

Absolutely nothing. He demonstrates the Manliness that Conservatives see obviously lacking in their champion and hence the vilification and hatred.

Chavez, looks after his people, rejects pure Capitalism and sees the poor of the world as people that deserve the help and support of the more able. So what's wrong with that?

We know the American model of Capitalism has failed. Barabra Stewart only last month on ABC reported that there are 22 million American Children that do not have a home and go to school with not so much as a Corn Flake to sustain them.

All this in the supposedly Greatest Nation on Earth. Baloney.

Answer 4

Yeah, socialism/communism have worked sooooo well all over the world! LOL

I figure the problem is probably in his frontal hemisphere, maybe its not developed enough, or could be a tumor?

Either way he is an idiot

Answer 5

I have no ill feeling for Chavez. I don't agree with him. He has no effect on my life. I only know about him, because he likes to say outrageous things to get on the news. The US will not attempt topple his government. But to stay in power he will need to convince his people that they are in danger from the US.

Answer 6

Chavez is the new Castro. He will be president for life. I can see it, the Venezuelans can see it and are leaving. Why can't you see what is happening. This is the way a dictator gains power in a democracy. He first attacks foreign interests then buys the poor, he then confiscates private industry and passes laws that give himself total power. When he does not step down in five years all these wonderful programs will start going away and the dictator will show.

Answer 7

Agreed. Don't forget he's donated millions in subsidized oil for poor Americans.

Chavez boosts heating oil program for U.S. poor; takes another swipe at Bush

He called Bush's policies in Iraq criminal, adding he hopes Americans will before long "awaken" and elect a better president. While he opposes Bush, Chavez said the American people "are our friends."

http://usatoday.com/news/world/2006-09-21-us-chavez_x.htm?imw=Y
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There is nothing wrong with Chavez except for the fact that he refuses to reign down inflation with proven policies that work. That is one of the few problems I have with him. Other then that, he's like the Venenzeulans Theodore Roosevelt/FDR. I wish him much success in raising his country's standard of living.
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To the guy that said he's crude. Well sure but so was Theodore Roosvelt. He was a no nonsense progressive who once made William Taft cry by calling him fat. He fought for the average American joe and he didn't care who he offended.

Answer 8

I don't really have an opinion for or against Chavez.

here is some criticism:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugo_Chavez#Criticism

Most notable: "Several public figures have even gone so far as to call for the assassination of Chávez, most notably US Conservative Christian televangelist Pat Robertson".

I would go so far as to say that anyone that idiot Robertson wants dead must almost be a good guy.

Answer 9

He has effectively destroyed democracy in Venezuela and set himself up as "president for life"

Anybody who speaks out against him becomes a target of the state.

He has invented an enemy to distract people from his failed policies.

Chavez = Hitler circa 1935

Answer 10

Whatever you do,don't criticize Chavez in Venezuela or you'll end up in prison. And don't be fooled,this fool wants to be President For Life.


http://hrw.org/english/docs/2005/03/24/venezu10368.htm