Why Conservatives are Wrong About Venezuela

I have been hearing a lot of panic from conservatives concerning the recent changes in Venezuela's government. I am used to seeing liberals exaggerate trivial events way out of proportion, but I am surprised to see conservatives doing the same thing when it comes to Chavez. The latest source of hysteria has centered around the 18 month "Rule by Decree" that Venezuelan legislators have granted Chavez, which he intends to use to nationalize resources and remove term limits.

To hear other conservatives talk, you would think that Venezuela was effectively a dictatorship. There is no dictatorship for the following reasons:

• The "sweeping powers" are not unlimited, and are only valid for the next 18 months.
• At the end of that time, they may be extended, but only if elected Venezuelan legislators decide to extend them. He cannot grant himself an extension.
• Removing term limits does not mean he cant be removed from office. He still has to win re-election to stay in power.

Yes, Chavez is a commie-loving socialist. But Venezuela is still technically a democracy. These "sweeping powers" that have been granted by Venezuelan legislators can also be removed by them as well. He does not have dictatorial powers.

Much of the hissy fit seems to center around Chanvez's desire to remove Presidential term limits. Personally, I don't see the problem with term limits in general. Of all the horrible mistakes Chavez is making (with the blessing of the Venezuelan People apparently) this is the one issue I actually agree with him on. Why not leave it up to the People to determine how long a politician stays in power? Term limits to me smack of nanny-state babysitting....as if we are somehow unable to determine when we don't want someone in power anymore. There should be no term limits for any elected official in my opinion.

Far be it from me to defend Chavez however. I definitely think the Venezuelan People are making a huge mistake. The man is a buffoon.

But the truth is that it is THEIR mistake to make. Venezuela is not a real threat to us; their technology is horribly obsolete. A perfect example being the missile air defenses they recently purchased. These systems only have a range of 22,000 feet. The F-16, F-117, and B2 Stealth Bomber all have ceilings of 45,000 feet or more. The missiles would not even be able to reach us if we ever did decide to bomb them. The most advanced fighters they have are SU-30s, and even then only a handful of those. Their conventional military is not a threat to us.

Aside from the fact that it would be morally wrong to interfere in their electoral process, it would also be a huge mistake on our part, which he would be quick to exploit. So long as they remain a democracy, we need to stay out of their political affairs and let them learn from their own mistakes just like we did. Demonstrating our sincerity in our desire to spread democracy is at least as important as our reolve in confronting threats to democracy.