National Post criticizes the Chavez Regime

January 23, 2010

The article's author, David Frum, begins by explaining the situation as he first arrived to Caracas. The largest mall, owned by the wealthiest Jewish family, had just been seized by the government the night before he arrived. A few days later, Israel traced a Hezbollah shipment straight back to Caracas.These are just accounts from one week living in Venezuela. The government had already seized french- owned supermarkets and shut down independent television stations,radio operations, and the country's largest Internet company.There are several clues that the dictatorship is gaining more control. Chavez postponed elections to the national assembly last year to September,filling the seats with regime loyalists who have been gerrymandering districts against the opposition. When Chavez in fact loses by the numbers, he will simply change the system to ensure it is not documented and most importantly that it does not happen again. Currently, Chavez is trying to account for the grave mistakes he has made during his term. He has overspent his oil revenues and in response there has been inflation in prices and currency devaluation. Electricity and food shortages are widespread throughout the country and instead of taking account for his mistakes Chavez has blamed speculators, capitalists and imperialism. As prices continue to soar, Chavez has found a new enemy with the "criminal Zionists", creating a national air of anti-semitism.
This article presents the danger that Chavez poses as a dictator. He is leading the country down the path of destruction. He has nationalized almost everything, leaving no room for personal speech. The inflation is out of control and has caused devaluation in their actual currency. People are sick of having no food or electricity. His support is definitely dwindling, but he is now too powerful to be controlled or stopped.The situation is becoming increasingly dangerous for the Jews. The seize of the Jewish family owned Sambil mall and the constant blame pinned on the Jews, has caused a lack of national support for them as well. People need to realize that Chavez has become all too powerful. The opposition must take action before it is too late for both them and the Jewish community.

Link to Original article:http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2010/01/23/david-frum-venezuela-falls-back-on-a-reliable-scapegoat.aspx