The Left and Venezuela was written by Caudio Katz, and appears on ICH. I didn't post it as a Quick-Link, because it is
not easy reading at all, and is very long. In fact, after reading it, I cut and pasted it -
including all the notes, and e-mailed it to myself. That way I cculd take
the time to understand the many inferences and nuances the Author makes
about the "Left" in South America and elsewhere.
After I
sliced and diced this, I marked up the copy I printed. It doesn't
actually discuss 'what' the Left consists of today, but the Author is
very clear on one point, it does not include the Social Democrats. He
says Social Democrats [My definition: Sweden, Norway, The 'Sandernistas'], are neither
Socialists nor Leftists. In his opinion they are Capitalists with a
veneer - mostly of linguistics, not firm principles or economic
philosophy... I do agree with that, altho many people think they are much better than nothing.
That said, the article makes a clear
distinction between the supporters of The Bolivarian Revolution, and the Opposition. It
is a distinction I also agree with wholeheartedly.
Maduro is far from
perfect. He has made far too many concessions to the Oligarchy. Yet,
Maduro refuses to give up or quit. I'd imagine that after being chosen
by Hugo Chavez as his Heir, Maduro cannot quit, or surrender, and
continue to live with himself. Chavez may have seen more in this man
than is apparent to many of us, but in one important thing he was 100%
right: Maduro is NOT a Quitter!
Given the result of the
Election for the Constituent Assembly, there is no question that the
Bolivarian Revolution has the support of the People of Venezuela, if not the
Oligarchy.
A couple of other points the Article makes: If
the Opposition 'wins' in Venezuela it will end the Bolivarian Revolution, at least for now. Simon Bolivar died some 200 years ago and still his
Revolution continues today. I doubt if it ends as a result of yet
another loss, at least not while the Ideal remains in the hearts and
minds of the people. But with the multitude of disasters on the horizon, that may be a 'distinction without a difference'.
According to Claudio Katz, if the masses turn out
for this effort and make it their own, it may ignite the fires of
Radical Socialism and Nationalism, an irrepressible opponent to the
forces of Fascism!
When I watched some of the Videos of the turnout it truly was heartening. One of the earliest Voters got there around 4:00 a.m. to cast her Ballot. After waiting patiently for hours to do so, she was interviewed by TeleSur. Turns out this Chavista is 101 Years Old!
That kind of dedication and support may make the difference in the very unequal fight between the Empire of Greed, and the Believers in Chavez and the Bolivarian Revolution. Let's hope and pray that it does!