Another Latin Lefty
Hey Folks,
Here we have another role model.
This brave man, Correa, has taken the bull by the horns. Just as in a number of other Latin countries, he has decided to buck a system designed to help the few at the expense of the many.
In most of these countries it seems that 80% of the people suffer in order to carry the annointed 20% around on silk pillows; and that has been the status quo for years and years - you might say "the natural order" or "the way god wants it."
It turns out, however, that if someone has the guts to stand up for the 80%, only 15 to 20 percent of the oppressed are stupid enough to side with their oppressors. Clearly, if any politician allows himself the option of addressing the needs of the people, he can be elected (if he isn't assassinated first - or soon after). Lately, those brave enough to stand up keep winning with 60 to 65% of the vote - much to the chagrin of the elite (who pose as supporters of democracy and the rule of law but connive tirelessly to subvert both).
Correa presents an extra opportunity for study not available in other Latin countries' move to the left. He was elected by the people, but without first attempting a house-cleaning of the legislature, still unanimously toadies of the elect.
According to the article:
Correa says his first act after being sworn in as president on Jan. 15 will be to call for a national referendum on the need to elect a special assembly that could rewrite the constitution and even shut down Congress.
That puts him on a collision course with the legislature, which has dismissed Ecuador's last three elected presidents, violating impeachment proceedings in the process, after huge street protests demanding their ousters.
Correa looks toward reforms in Ecuador
By MONTE HAYES, Associated Press Writer Mon Nov 27
QUITO, Ecuador - Rafael Correa, the leftist nationalist headed to victory in Ecuador's presidential race, is already planning radical reforms when he takes office in January.
That is putting him on a fast track to a dangerous confrontation with the country's opposition-controlled Congress — a body he has called a "sewer" but which he needs to carry out his reforms.
"We receive this triumph with deep serenity and humility," the 43-year-old Correa, who calls himself a "personal friend" of Venezuela's anti-U.S. President Hugo Chavez, said at a news conference Sunday night.
With 58 percent of the ballots counted, Correa had a 65 percent to 35 percent lead over banana tycoon Alvaro Noboa, Ecuador's Supreme Electoral Tribunal said Monday.
While votes in Noboa's stronghold of Guayas, Ecuador's most populous province, were among the last to be tallied, even a strong advantage there would not be enough for Noboa to win.
Correa's followers took to the streets in caravans with musicians to celebrate a victory that few questioned except Noboa, who said he would await the end of the official count that might not come until Tuesday.
Correa said his victory "is a clear message to our traditional political class of the profound changes that our citizens want. This country doesn't need patching up. It needs a new constitution in tune with the times."
Correa, who has a doctorate in economics from the University of Illinois, surged in voter support as a fresh-faced outsider determined to reform Ecuador's political system.
His view that the Ecuadorean democratic system is designed to benefit parties rather than people is shared by many voters fed up with corruption, greed and incompetence in the political establishment.
During the campaign, Correa attacked Ecuador's Congress as a "sewer" of corruption and ran no candidates for the legislature. He now faces a Congress totally in the hands of his opponents — but says that's not important.
"Let's stop worrying so much about Congress. Let them scrutinize what they want. We're not afraid," he said. "What we won't tolerate is any attempt at instability or blackmail."
Correa says his first act after being sworn in as president on Jan. 15 will be to call for a national referendum on the need to elect a special assembly that could rewrite the constitution and even shut down Congress.
That puts him on a collision course with the legislature, which has dismissed Ecuador's last three elected presidents, violating impeachment proceedings in the process, after huge street protests demanding their ousters.
Jaime Duran, a public opinion analyst who served as chief of staff in a previous government, noted that the congressmen elected in October were just as legitimately elected as Correa.
"They have the same right to serve as Correa does," he said.
Correa's problem is that Congress would have to approve a constitutional reform to allow creation of a constituent assembly. And it has blocked attempts by the last two presidents to rewrite the constitution.
Correa has vowed to rally street protests if lawmakers don't agree to a new constitution that trims the power of the traditional parties.
Many of the reforms he proposes would make politicians more responsive to voters. For example, congressmen would represent districts instead of being elected with a national vote. He also supports allowing recall of all elected officials.
But he risks violating the constitution if he tries to organize an election for a constituent assembly without Congress' approval.
He argues "the voice of the people" as reflected in a national referendum takes precedence over Congress or the constitution — a position challenged by most legal experts.
Insistence on forcing electoral authorities to convene an election for the assembly could put him in risk of impeachment, say experts.
"That immediately creates a conflict with Congress," said Benjamin Ortiz, head of a think tank in Quito.
Since Correa has no congressmen to defend him, "for the first time there would be sufficient votes to impeach a president without resorting to the murky maneuvers of the past," Ortiz said.
Here we have another role model.
This brave man, Correa, has taken the bull by the horns. Just as in a number of other Latin countries, he has decided to buck a system designed to help the few at the expense of the many.
In most of these countries it seems that 80% of the people suffer in order to carry the annointed 20% around on silk pillows; and that has been the status quo for years and years - you might say "the natural order" or "the way god wants it."
It turns out, however, that if someone has the guts to stand up for the 80%, only 15 to 20 percent of the oppressed are stupid enough to side with their oppressors. Clearly, if any politician allows himself the option of addressing the needs of the people, he can be elected (if he isn't assassinated first - or soon after). Lately, those brave enough to stand up keep winning with 60 to 65% of the vote - much to the chagrin of the elite (who pose as supporters of democracy and the rule of law but connive tirelessly to subvert both).
Correa presents an extra opportunity for study not available in other Latin countries' move to the left. He was elected by the people, but without first attempting a house-cleaning of the legislature, still unanimously toadies of the elect.
According to the article:
Correa says his first act after being sworn in as president on Jan. 15 will be to call for a national referendum on the need to elect a special assembly that could rewrite the constitution and even shut down Congress.
That puts him on a collision course with the legislature, which has dismissed Ecuador's last three elected presidents, violating impeachment proceedings in the process, after huge street protests demanding their ousters.
It goes on:
Correa's problem is that Congress would have to approve a constitutional reform to allow creation of a constituent assembly. And it has blocked attempts by the last two presidents to rewrite the constitution.
Correa has vowed to rally street protests if lawmakers don't agree to a new constitution that trims the power of the traditional parties.
You see, Folks, the system is set up to maintain itself - no matter how corrupt or perverted. As the article shows, the Congress has ignored the law a number of times lately, but you can bet that they - and the Bushies here - will yell bloody murder if and when Correa calls for street demonstrations on behalf of the people's interest.
We can learn from this. If the Democrats should behave, as some predict, not much differently from the imperialistic, elite-oriented Republicans, then street demonstrations ARE in order.
Americans are not accustomed to thinking that way, but that WILL be the way it is. We can learn by watching Ecuador.
- Uke Man
Correa looks toward reforms in Ecuador
By MONTE HAYES, Associated Press Writer Mon Nov 27
QUITO, Ecuador - Rafael Correa, the leftist nationalist headed to victory in Ecuador's presidential race, is already planning radical reforms when he takes office in January.
That is putting him on a fast track to a dangerous confrontation with the country's opposition-controlled Congress — a body he has called a "sewer" but which he needs to carry out his reforms.
"We receive this triumph with deep serenity and humility," the 43-year-old Correa, who calls himself a "personal friend" of Venezuela's anti-U.S. President Hugo Chavez, said at a news conference Sunday night.
With 58 percent of the ballots counted, Correa had a 65 percent to 35 percent lead over banana tycoon Alvaro Noboa, Ecuador's Supreme Electoral Tribunal said Monday.
While votes in Noboa's stronghold of Guayas, Ecuador's most populous province, were among the last to be tallied, even a strong advantage there would not be enough for Noboa to win.
Correa's followers took to the streets in caravans with musicians to celebrate a victory that few questioned except Noboa, who said he would await the end of the official count that might not come until Tuesday.
Correa said his victory "is a clear message to our traditional political class of the profound changes that our citizens want. This country doesn't need patching up. It needs a new constitution in tune with the times."
Correa, who has a doctorate in economics from the University of Illinois, surged in voter support as a fresh-faced outsider determined to reform Ecuador's political system.
His view that the Ecuadorean democratic system is designed to benefit parties rather than people is shared by many voters fed up with corruption, greed and incompetence in the political establishment.
During the campaign, Correa attacked Ecuador's Congress as a "sewer" of corruption and ran no candidates for the legislature. He now faces a Congress totally in the hands of his opponents — but says that's not important.
"Let's stop worrying so much about Congress. Let them scrutinize what they want. We're not afraid," he said. "What we won't tolerate is any attempt at instability or blackmail."
Correa says his first act after being sworn in as president on Jan. 15 will be to call for a national referendum on the need to elect a special assembly that could rewrite the constitution and even shut down Congress.
That puts him on a collision course with the legislature, which has dismissed Ecuador's last three elected presidents, violating impeachment proceedings in the process, after huge street protests demanding their ousters.
Jaime Duran, a public opinion analyst who served as chief of staff in a previous government, noted that the congressmen elected in October were just as legitimately elected as Correa.
"They have the same right to serve as Correa does," he said.
Correa's problem is that Congress would have to approve a constitutional reform to allow creation of a constituent assembly. And it has blocked attempts by the last two presidents to rewrite the constitution.
Correa has vowed to rally street protests if lawmakers don't agree to a new constitution that trims the power of the traditional parties.
Many of the reforms he proposes would make politicians more responsive to voters. For example, congressmen would represent districts instead of being elected with a national vote. He also supports allowing recall of all elected officials.
But he risks violating the constitution if he tries to organize an election for a constituent assembly without Congress' approval.
He argues "the voice of the people" as reflected in a national referendum takes precedence over Congress or the constitution — a position challenged by most legal experts.
Insistence on forcing electoral authorities to convene an election for the assembly could put him in risk of impeachment, say experts.
"That immediately creates a conflict with Congress," said Benjamin Ortiz, head of a think tank in Quito.
Since Correa has no congressmen to defend him, "for the first time there would be sufficient votes to impeach a president without resorting to the murky maneuvers of the past," Ortiz said.
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