What have you folks in the U.S.A heard about Chavez, the venezuelan presidente?
539448
No, I am ashamed to admit that I have not; however, I would be very interested in knowing your views of him, how he's helped the Country since being elected and how the public, in general, feels about him.\n\nWhat do you feel are his strong points.  Does he, in your opinion, have any weak points?  How do you see the Country at the end of his term?\n\nCould you please do an 'add on' and fill me in?\n\nThank you =)\n\nADD ON:   Thank you so much for the additional details.   It sounds as though Presidente Chavez does have the welfare of his Country and his people at heart.  I would say this: if you feel his weakness is in his military training and what he could do with it, don't be completely blinded by all the great things he's doing.  Remember, Hitler did a lot of great things for Germany, too, for a while, including turning the economy around to a thriving condition again and the citizens of Germany thought he was going to save their Country.  I truly hope, for the sake of Venezuela, that Chavez is truly who he seems to be.  But never ignore the lessons of history.
580630
First of all, you have chosen a very wide range of leaders, who though on the left, are really not that similar.  Lula (da Silva), is a center leftist leader who is very different from the others.  Though he once carried a populist message, he now is an established politician who does not spout anti-American rhetoric and conducts business friendly centrist policies.  He is probably been good for the country, economically speaking, as he has developed certain industries well, signed good trade agreements with neighbors, increased trade with MERCOSUR, and lobbied much better for Brazil and other developing nations in world economic forums.  Morally, he has had some recent scandals with corruption, but is still fairly popular.  Most people would consider the path he has taken good for the country, as it has increased economic development. \nOn the opposite end of the spectrum you have Fidel Castro.  Casto is a dictator, putting him in a different category than the rest of these democratically and fairly elected leaders.  He has tortured people, and in general held on to power so long Cuba has stagnated economically and socially.  Though initial gains in literacy and health validated his methods to some, improvements in other countries has increasingly his discredited the control he remains on power.  Though U.S. actions with regards to Cuba certainly have not been morally commendable, this does not place Castro on the moral high ground.  As for economically, given the US boycott that will remain for as long as a Castro (Raul included) in power, he has done the best for the economy he can. Since he has no possible option of keeping his government and the lifting the boycott, he has done as well as can be expected.  \nHugo Chavez is a interesting case, he is a populist leader, who does have the moral high ground over the US in Venezuela, especially with the US tacit support of the coup against him.  Economically, he has spent some of the oil money well.  But increasingly he seems to be undermining democratic institutions in Venezuela and relying instead on the military.  Therefore, he has benefited the common person at least in the short run, but the long term results remain to be seen.  \nEvo Morales is fresh into office.  He represents the poor farmers, the cocaleros, and is likely to represent their social and economic interest well.  However, though his recent moves to nationalize industries will help the people in the short run, if he creates a climate hostile to foreign investment, then he will hurt the poor in the long run, as the economy won't develop.  \nSo in each case it is slight different, and with so much of economics, it is hard to tell what the future will hold.
339525
Have you heard his speeches? this guy is an awesome speaker. and he's not blowing wind like most politicians. He answers questions with good answers. while most politicians deflect questions.
286664
First off, The word GRINGO is a term (not necessarily despective ,but could be depending on the context.) used in most of Latin America to describe someone typically from the USA. The words origin is disputed by several tales....\nNEXT- \nHugo Chavez is actually very smart, and he very well knows what he can and can't get away with doing or saying. Proof of this is that he has not declared himself a dictator and supreme ruler of the country having ample power and resources to do so. He knows very well that the US can do absolutely nothing while he is a democratically elected leader. He can spurt out anything his wild imagination can concoct on any given Sunday, because all he is doing is creating a mirage for a largely uneducated support base that will support him and keep him in power "democratically" in the face of an imminent threat. A mirage which also serves as an instrument to divert attention to his shortcomings as the leader of a nation in absolute shambles.  He is an outspoken critic because this gives him great popularity at home and he very well knows that the US will not do a thing. Does anyone believe for a second that Chavez himself believes that he can truly take on the US armed forces???? With arrows and all??  If he knew the GRINGOS were really coming I guarantee you that his threatening tone would go way down, just like it did in the days following his brief ousting and reinstatement as president back in April of 2003.  \nI always ask myself..  Had he known his fate, would Saddam have remained been so defiant in the weeks before the invasion of Iraq?  Chavez is no different, he just happens to be backed up by the "Democratically elected" card, which serves him and his purpose well.
283254
Simon Bolivar.  You can read a short article on him in the link below.
688373
I think Chavez is great. He is kind,generous and for his people.That is way Bush does not like him, he is everything George W is not.
224258
It's Cesar Chavez's birthday.  Read a history book.
81223
i don't think its going to be like Venezuela whit Chavez\na difference is that Venezuela docent have any exportation's only Oil, and Mexico economy is base in exportation to US, that's way the MONEY PEOPLE in Mexico are going to hold OBRADOR back whit help of the other parties in the senate.
616853
I have no doubt there are many well-informed Americans, but they are in a minority. There was a poll of Americans some years ago that indicated 80% thought the Persian Gulf was a major source of concern for the USA. But only 20% knew where it was.
861807
Populist leader Hugo Chavez has ruled Venezuela for eight years, and many Venezuelans continue to support him. But Chavez is coming under fire for his anti-President Bush rhetoric, and observers in Venezuela have accused him of rigging next week's election.Nov. 26, 2006. Chavez holds a wide margin over his main challenger as he seeks a third term in Dec. 3 elections. AP Caracas was the scene of a major campaign rally Sunday for supporters of Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Hundreds of thousands turned out to hear Chavez predict an overwhelming victory in this Sunday's election. Polls show there's little doubt he'll secure another term
292401
Heard a rumor that he might have throat cancer. I think I read it on either perezhilton.com or dlisted.com on Tuesday!! There is a pic and he looks REALLY bad. Check it out!!
1092978
did you know who is paying for obradors campagne/////Fidel castro and hugo Chavez,,,did you now that the rich people from mexico are calling real estate agents in the usa to purchase homes in case obrador wins....they are saying if obrador wins it will be another cuba. reason, fidel castro came in cuba in 1959 saying that all poor people will be just like the rich///but little did the cuban people know that fidel was going to rob the rich and give to him self...cuba is a dissaster///I should know I am cuban, People in mexico need to be wise for whom they vote for, this is their future....mexico is a beautiful country, has numerous natural resources, mexico has alot to offer, but you guys need a president that will lift the economy, lifting mexicos economy, you guys would have to work for pennies here, and get insulted by people that directly or indirectly uses your resources, I hear all these people shouting, got back to your country, but mexicans work hard, and of coarse there are sme bad apples, but dont we have those everywhere, but go out and vote make a good choice, remember it is not only your future is it your peoples future.\n                         GOOD LUCK and I hope Mexico prospers and that one Day other countries will want to migrate there instead of here, darnet dont they already do that, viva latin america.\n                LOVE from cuba,,,
1022186
Because the American government embraces any thug who will co-operate in their quest to control as much of the world and its wealth as they can take from others. Were he to stop co-operating with them, he would be vilified as Hugo Chavez is now, only he would deserve it. The current (and unelected) American government is not remotely interested in Democracy, but hopes there are enough stupid people around to believe what they say and to not notice what they are actually doing.\nListen to "Democracy Now, The War and Peace Report" if you ever get the chance.   <democracynow.org>
990979
What Chavez is doing is Norwegianism not real Socialism.  He has never claimed to be doing Socialism in the traditional sense.  He is guided by Simon Bolivar and seeks to unite his region against the evils we in the North perpetrate against them.  This is a long time coming, the US particularly, has abused Latin America for many years.  The people has awakened.  \n\nVIVA CHAVEZ!  \n\np.s. Adam Smith, who no neo-cons have ever even read, was very much againt the idea of a corporate welfare state like we live in today.  He was against the unbridalled free flow of capital also.  His idea of free markets depended on stationary capital not a global market, infiltrated by protecting government welfare (to corporations) and the undercutting of the market by capital flight like what we do today.
121503
The president Hugo Chavez\nThe white sox manager Ozzie Guillen\nes miss universe Alicia Machado\nfamous singer Jose Luis Rodriguez "el puma"
27544
I think that Americans aren´t agree Chavez exterior policy to the United States and Bush administration.\nAlso, with Fidel Castro, they are changing Latin American point of view about freedom, democracy,and capitalism.Chavez give $30 millions to Bolivia, and 65% of Venezuelans are in extremely poverty. Also he´s giving free oil and gas to Argentina,Brazil,Cuba,and Caribbean islands.And he´s finnanciating pro-comunist socialist candidates, that is the case of Evo Morales in Bolivia, and Ollanta Humala in Peru. But I think that intelligent and modern left Latin American leaders like Lula,the elected Michelle Bachelet,Nestor Kirchner, etc. People who really want good relationships with US and the whole world, impede that Chavez made real the "Simon Bolivar´s dream" of integrate all Latin America in one "liberal socialist" block.
617588
They need to leave Chavez alone. I think the Venezuelans need to suffer a long long time under their presidente for life Chavez.\n\nPerhaps that would help them figure out that marxism is antithetical to life, peace and prosperity.