Venezuela's parliament basically voted itself out of existence last week by passing a law allowing Hugo Chavez the right to pass laws by decree for the next 18 months. Chavez acolytes praised the law stating the people wanted him to have the ability to pass laws regarding flood repair etc.
I guess the people who wanted that and the politicians who voted for it have forgotten about Hitler's Enabling Act of March 1933 in Germany where the Reichstag voted Hitler special powers to rule without parliamentary support for four years. Needless to say, Hitler never lost those enabling powers.
For a pop culture reference, look no further than the Revenge of the Sith where the Republic Senate basically gave Chancellor Palpatine emergency powers to put down a rebellion he in fact orchestrated. As Senator Amidala said, so this is how democracy dies, without a whimper.
Yeah I know that we run our country basically through the PMO and cabinet (where the Prime Minister is first amongst "equals" but at least he has to face Parliament and we have a vestige of democracy. Venezuela just voted itself a dictatorship.
Sad but true!
No comments:
Post a Comment