Chavez wins vote to scrap term limits

[BridgeTheGap]

CARACAS, Venezuela - President Hugo Chavez won a referendum to eliminate term limits Sunday, enabling him to run again in 2012 and beyond in what critics fear is an attempt to become president-for-life.

Fireworks exploded in the sky and caravans of supporters celebrated in the streets, waving red flags and honking horns. Thousands of people gathered outside Miraflores Palace, where the former paratroop commander appeared on a balcony to sing the national anthem and address the crowd.

"Today we opened wide the gates of the future," proclaimed Chavez, who has governed for a decade and vowed to rule for at least a decade more. "In 2012 there will be presidential elections, and unless God decides otherwise, unless the people decide otherwise, this soldier is already a candidate."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29210196

[bluestateguy]

1. Whatever. It's their decision, but I strongly support term limits here in the US

I wish we had them for Congress. It would get some of these paper-pushing, bloviating dinosaurs out of that place.

I also support term limits for the US president. I'd love to have Obama for 3 or 4 terms, but not if it meant that we could also have a future George W. Bush for 3 or 4 terms. No thanks. I would remind people that in the absence of term limits Reagan would have easily won a third term in 1988.

[BridgeTheGap]

2. When you have no faith in the voting public, place your faith in term limits! n.t