hugo your way, and i'll go hugo's way too

the people of venezuela voted to let hugo chavez run for a third term in 2012. good for them. in chavez, the poor of venezuela have found a politician who fights for them, who cares about them, and who brings them needed services. more importantly, he has helped to create a culture in which the people themselves are engaged in making their own lives better through their involvement in community councils. the people are active in venezuela. remember it was the people who helped return chavez to power when he was overthrown in 2002.

as far as term limits go, there is nothing inherently progressive about them. it is systemic change, not individual change, that is needed to make our world a better place. and chavez, along with millions of his supporters, are doing the necessary work to create systemic change in venezuela. democracy is not a set of rules; it is a way of life. you can not divorce democracy from the people's well being. chavez, by helping to create a political and social culture that brings health care to the sick, that educates its young people, and stands against u.s imperialism, is doing important pro-democracy work. since chavez took power, the poor have hope that they too can do interesting work, that they can see a doctor, and that they can be educated in the field of their choosing. most importantly, they feel themselves a part of the society in which they live. they are no longer shut out of the political process.

what could be more democratic than that?

viva chavez!