Does this remind you of something?

Venezuela is slated to vote on profound constitutional reforms in December, among them abolition of presidential term limits.

In addition to abolishing presidential term limits, President Chavez is also proposing to bypass legal controls on the executive during a state of emergency, bring in a maximum six-hour working day, cut the voting age from 18 to 16, and increase presidential control over the central bank.

Could it be that the six-hour work day and lowering of voting age are incentives to get voters to approve the more egregious reforms that will increase presidential power? Of course, they only look good on the surface. Making it illegal for anyone to work more than six hours will surely have a negative effect on the economy. What if I am poor and I need to work more than six hours to make a living? What if I like my work and want to work longer than six hours? Passion is often what drives achievement, production and innovation. Government spending on welfare programs will have to be increased, which means higher taxes. Higher taxes means people have less money to spend and to invest into the economy.

With respect to the voting age, I am inclined to think that 16-year olds will be less able to make informed choices. This is not to imply that older people necessarily make better choices, but one could argue that the younger and more impressionable your voter pool is, the easier you it will be to sell them questionable measures. I suppose we will see whether Venezuelans realize the extent to which these constitutional reforms will move them toward a dictatorship when the outcome of the referendum vote is in. This should remind you of something. One need only look at history to see how many dictatorships arose from the democratic process.

2 Responses to “Does this remind you of something?”

1. Mike N Says:
   November 3rd, 2007 at 12:56 pm

   Sounds like the Democratic Party’s platform. The Repubs will probably beat them to it though.

2. Anonymous Says:
   November 13th, 2007 at 3:34 am

   “Passion is often what drives achievement, production and innovation.”

   Anja,

   This is wonderfully worded.

   Virginia

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