Moderation is the way of the world and it is frustrating when people use the either/or fallacy to run their lives, giving only two dimensions, even one dimension, to their world. Since 1998, Hugo Chavez, sees things in only one dimension. A recent report by the BBC stated that Chavez was granted decree power for 18 months to totally revamp the country, making it a socialist nation.

This rags to riches “president” is trying to take the country to a new level in creating an equal distribution of wealth. His belief in the neo-liberal way is setting himself up to be the dictator of Venezuela.

With this power, he can declare himself a divine entity, seize total control of the country and not let go of his powers after the designated stopping point. The repercussions of this action by the Venezuelan Congress will be enormous. Many critics actually boycotted the vote, not wanting to take part in a scary, unconstitutional act.

Socialism is the first step toward communism. Socialism is a form of government that takes a more proactive stance toward governing the country through health care and transportation to equally distribute the wealth.

Communism is an ideal that cannot be realized because of people’s avarice. Communism is complete control of the country by the government. Every aspect of people’s lives is determined by the bureaucrats through quotas and schedules.

Once Chavez succeeds in making the country socialist, he will not stop in making himself the uncontested ruler of the country and unequally distributing the wealth the people deserve. People with supreme power, such as this presidential decree power, are easily corrupted and hard to stop once they take control.

Sophomore, Caleb Tabor, a North Carolina Student Legislature member, said that “socialism can work,” but the governments tend to be corrupted by the tremendous power that they possess. They sometimes take the people’s wealth and hoard it for themselves, creating an increasing disparity between the upper and middle classes, the opposite of the ultimate goal of socialism.

He also said that there is not enough wealth distribution in the countries where this is occurring. In South America, there is a large middle class but a huge disparity between the middle class and the upper class, causing tension in the countries. Socialism tries to fix that disparity.

Unlimited power in the hands of one person is wrong and developing or developed countries should not promote it . Self expression is limited when one person is calling the shots. Self expression and the free market are aspects of the American way that make us the hegemony of the world. Taking those freedoms away will only hinder the developing nation. Chavez needs to work with Congress in creating this socialistic policy, not take it upon himself to dominate the country politically.

Given his lastest world tour and rhetoric Hugo Chavez is a danerous firebrand that is in a unique and powerful position to destabilize an entire region if given the opportunity.

Columnist: Michael Boglovitz - 02/08/07