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He let Venezuelans decide whether to convene a National Constituent Assembly. At issue was drafting a new constitution. Chavez believed in Bolivarian change.
Venezuelans agreed. They approved overwhelmingly. Three months later, National Assembly elections followed. Chavistas won 95% of the seats.
They drafted a Bolivarian constitution. A second referendum followed. Venezuelans again overwhelmingly approved. Historic provisions became law.
No constitution anywhere matches it. It's a living document. Venezuelans cherish it. It shames America's.
Articles 83 - 85 mandate quality healthcare. It's called a "fundamental social right and...responsibility of the state...to guarantee it...to improve the quality of life and common welfare."
It established national public health. It's proscribed from being privatized.
Other provisions mandate participatory democracy, quality education to the highest levels, free speech, indigenous rights, housing assistance, social security pensions and more.
Articles 166 - 192 established citizen assemblies. They constitute grassroots participatory democracy. So do thousands of communal councils. Over 30,000 exist. They empower local citizens.
Ordinary people elect their own representatives. They do so throughout the country. What they say matters. They contribute to Bolivarian fairness.
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