Monday, February 16, 2009

Today was the national consult, querying the people if they wanted to have Chavez as president undefined amount of times. The journey went by with a series of small irregularities, confusing information and over exposed power by the government; but all that matters are the results of these inquiry “Do you want to expand the citizen’s rights by giving more power to the popularly elected president, allowing him (or any of the national figures) to be elected undefined and consecutive amount of periods – Yes or No”.



The results were: Yes 54%, No 45.99%



At the moment all I can feel is frustration, sadness and concern. Frustration because I can’t believe, nor understand how ignorant the people are people think or how they just ignore mayor issues affecting the society (thanks to anonymous on making me remember not to be a despotic person and to respect others by not disqualifying them - I can't become what I am trying to leave behind)... And applies for any country in the world really; it doesn’t matter if you live in a first world nation or the third; foolishness, stupidity, and comfort takes first place most of the time in people’s mind before general well being... Maybe this is the main reason why the world is in danger and about to lose sustainability for the human kind.

Sadness because in Venezuela some of my happiest, dearest moments (till I get to Australia and get my babies) were created and holds part of my most important treasure: my family.
Finally, concern because the amendment approval is the first step to full oppression, endless human right violation, and society’s destruction... I never thought I would ever have to chance to see my birthplace to sink the way is going to.

Venezuela's upcoming country flag???

So, gathering first impressions related to this government victory over society’s needs the “welcome to the banana republic” popped and the unavoidable need to look the proper definition to it came to my mind. According to Wikipedia it definition is:

“Banana Republic is a pejorative term for a country
that is politically unstable, dependent on limited agriculture (e.g. bananas), and ruled by a small,
self-elected, wealthy, and corrupt clique.”




Ironically also points out a comment related to Australia saying:


“On 14 May 1986, the then Treasurer of Australia, Paul Keating, remarked during a radio interview with John Laws that Australia risked becoming a banana republic, referring to the size of the foreign debt relative to GDP.”



Being positive... I learned something about Australia. Being realistic, there is no better description for the upcoming years for Venezuela.

10 Comments:

Anonymous said...

"I can’t believe, nor understand how ignorant the people are..."

Ignorance is in the eye of the beholder. Have you thought that maybe other people think that is you the ignorant one?

Disqualification is not precisely the best way to win the hearts of minds of those that oppose your ideas (and ideals).

Good luck in Australia

Rod said...

Anonymous, you're right about the ignorance and the disqualification; I went a little too far in the post, and I don't want to express nor explain my point of view (as I said I want my blog to be a reference of anything but political).

But could you give me reasons to believe that this change is good my what used to be my hometown nation? As I can see everywhere around, this entire process bring more poverty, insecurity, and corruption than previous governments (in pro-chavez government institutions as well opposition) and give an opportunity to rule forever to the one holding or keeping the power doesn't seem to be a cleaver idea.

Anyway thanks on remember me how or what I shouldn't post.

By the way, being anonymous gives you the opportunity to post quality comments as this one... Sadly not many understands it and use it just to offend. But why didn't you used at least a nickname?

Cheers and thanks again for the comment.

Anonymous said...

Rodrigo soy un Medico Venezolano que decidio irse de Venezuela hace 4 anos, sintiendome frustrado en el pais que me vio nacer y pensaba lo mismo que tu has escrito.
Hoy dia mi vida cambio en Australia donde ejerzo la medicina y he tenido una segunda oportunidad de seguir adelante, siento Australia como mi madre adoptiva.
Se que es dificil la vida alla, pero ten paciencia, se que tu vida cambiara cuando te aprueben la visa.



Becker

Rod said...

Hehe, por simple curiosidad... Donde te encuentras radicado? Digo: en caso de necesitar una consulta con algún paisano.

Anonymous said...

Vivo en Melbourne desde hace 4 anos

Saludos

Becker

The Perth Geek said...

You've said it all mate.
However, I don't agree with you about the county flag. I picture it as you placed but red colored :D

Oh... I forgot, the center banana would be CH's face.

Anonymous said...

I just to live in Melbourne but Im moving very soon to Sydney where I've got a position in a busy hospital.


cheers

Becker

Anonymous said...

although we are on opposite sides of the world, it seems that our countries are similar. I have applied for Austrlia too, because my country ,iran, is head straight to hell. Unfortunatly a small group of people can't change anything even if we give our lives for a greater cause.
good luck

treaz said...

WOW! Simply WOW!
What started as something dead obvious (voting no for unlimited reelection) suddenly turned (to my amazement) upside down.
It kind of reminds me of my own country. And this is a behavior that eludes me completely. The situation is bad, the people complain, but they seem to take decisions that make them go in the same direction (take this vote for instance).

And I understand your initial frustration... calling them ignorant. It is because of this kind of people that you are forced to leave your country. It is a proven fact that you eventually become the average of those surrounding you.

I'd like to hear your opinion on this comment.

Cheers

Rod said...

There is a proverb in Venezuela (or should I say Latin-American countries) that phrases
‘Every nation has the ruler that fits their minds’

If you find oppression, injustice and corruption as part of a nation culture it means that society and culture got rotten and those whom excel are vicious people. But is it enough reason to leave?
Yes... Those are definitely enough reasons to take a different path.

Last week I was precisely talking to a mate (co-worker as the matter of fact) trying to explain him the entire picture of that country that I can’t feel any close to ‘home town’.
When I got a little confused between feelings and frustration he told me,
Please stop... I know perfectly how you feel... I am from Russia and you are describing everything that we had (and still have). Those bastards cheated and tricked the people into believe is all good; until is too late and they have gathered enough power to do as they please. I did not realise until now similarities between people seeking for power ending in brute and pure oppression. Is just the same thing, different country, different ruler, different people.

Thanks to you, I have read my post (noticing some grammar errors as well =P) and those words
“I can't believe, nor understand how ignorant the people are...” and I am not sorry because I didn’t say it out frustration (maybe a little). It is pure ignorance because they did not know that enough power makes people weak and corrupts them. Is ignorance when you ignore or just don’t know that there is history related to this kind of decisions and its consequences.

Cheers,

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