If there could be in-built checks and balances in a "non-left" system, why can't we have proper checks and balances in an "left oriented" economic system?

As a matter of fact, with a good control mechanism in place and with a democratic set-up, left oriented economic system may prove to be a much superior economic system, why not?

Hugo Chavez is only a human being and he made the mistake of a wronged perception, that was rejected by the people, what is wrong with that? at least he had the decency to accept the verdict of the people and has a opportunity to correct himself, and life goes on and evolves in a democratic set up. This is the new left, friendly, humane, considerate and environmentally friendly too.

How long do we have to endure the pain of watching greedy 2% dominating the 98%people at the recieving end? How long can this injustice to majority of the people of the world going impoverished, hungry, deprived...go on, while we glorify the economic systems, based upon disparity and sheer greed (ironically called "incentive based")?
Think and reflect

Chavez, como todos os mandatários latinos-americanos, estão ocupando o espaço que existia e, com maior intensidade, nas duas últimas décadas.
Havia uma concentração absurda das riquesas e o povo continuava mais pobre e alguns milhões se rebaixando para a categoria de indigentes.
Daí o surgimento do populismo e não do comunismo, no atendimento das necessidades mínimas da população.
Essa nova geração de mandários continuará ainda por um bom tempo infuenciado nos destinos das nações da america latina e do caribe. E, no caso de Chavez e de Lula, a possibilidade de um terceiro mandado, com um intervalo de quatro ou cinco anos, hoje, é praticamente possível.
E esses governos populistas melhoraram o desempenho do PIB, mas que passou a melhorar também as condições de vida de seu povo.
Antes dessas lideranças, os governantes democráticos ditatoriais, concentravam renda, a corrupção e o privilégio das elites.
Talvez a INTERNET, EM CURTO PRAZO, seja a grande responsável pela mudança no pensamento das cabeças dos governantes, não só das america latina, mas em todo o Mundo, no trato e na fiscalização dos recursos do erário, na eleição de prioridades na educação, na saúde, no sanemaneto básico, etc.
Os venezuelanos gostam de Chavez, mas lhe deram rédeas curtas e também não deram cheque em branco.

So why does the left, at least in America, support him?

PODEMOS
Sorry man. That´s what you call a Left-wing party. PEDIMOS (WE BEG) PARTY leaders are just opportunists.
This is a long term revolution. Justice and our Will to be free and not just an USA colony will prevail. There is Chavez for a long time. We know how to turn this impass into victory. Seat and watch.

"Chavez Is No Leftist"? Spoken like a true leftist. Denial anyone?

Whether Hugo Chavez is a leftist or no is up for discussion. However, I agree with this post in that Chavez and Bachelet should not be placed in the same bucket.

Chavez is clearly a dictator That issue of the reform that could allowed him to relect forever could be interpreted as what? CHAVEZ IS A DICTATOR

Chavez is clearly a dictator That issue of the reform that could allowed him to relect forever could be interpreted as what? CHAVEZ IS A DICTATOR

Idiocy. By the same argument, you could say that Castro isn't a leftist, or even Stalin wasn't a leftist.

Chavez is not a leftist. He is the current representative of peronalismo, a caudillo interested in the trapings and exercise of power.

Chavez is not a leftist. He is the current representative of peronalismo, a caudillo interested in the trapings and exercise of power.

It seems as if this is merely polemic. This so-called editor doesn't know what socialism is. This editorial is no more than the strewing-about of ignorance.
Chavez doesn't believe that his reforms can be achieved within the prevailing term limits. The same logic elevated Bonapart to Emperor Napoleon.

What idiocy. By the same argument, you could say Castro isn't a leftist, or even that Stalin wasn't a leftist.

Since 1973, papa bush, has been at or near the top echlons of power for the last 30 years. Why is Chavez seen as such a tyrant for wanting to stay in power for a few more years?

Hugo, is'nt a leftist, just because he does'nt agree with Bush and his cronies.
Hugo, just a leader that was elected by the people, not like Bush, who elected by the Supreme Court Clowns in 2000.

Will,

I'm sorry to inform you that Chavez did accuse the United States as well as Spain of trying to interfere with the vote in speeches leading up to the day of the vote. He also accused them of working from within Columbia which conveniently lumps together the top three countries he's having fits with. This He also accused the opposition of working for the US.

Another apologist for a bankrupt philosophy.

Appalled by Stalin, western communists offered explanations trying to explain away Stalin's actions as "not communism". That was over five decades ago.

Subsequent actions of communist regime after regime invited apologists trying to spin it as "not true communism", with communism always being the "ideal philosophy" which has the repeated and predictable misfortune of not being "done correctly".

Well, ha-ha Ignacio, this story has been heard before... many, many times.

Another apologist for a bankrupt philosophy.

Appalled by Stalin, western communists offered explanations trying to explain away Stalin's actions as "not communism". That was over five decades ago.

Subsequent actions of communist regime after regime invited apologists trying to spin it as "not true communism", with communism always being the "ideal philosophy" which has the repeated and predictable misfortune of not being "done correctly".

Well, ha-ha Ignacio, this story has been heard before... many, many times.

I really appreciate your insightful remarks. Most of us Americans are quick to lump together people like Chavez and Bachelet even though the two couldn't be more different. It's not just a difference of tactics with the same goal in mind. They represent entirely different ideologies.

Bachelet tries to bring about positive, lasting change by bringing the people along with her, knowingly and willingly. Chavez will bring them where he's going, even if he has to throw them in a sack and drag them. And when the oil wells dry or new technology renders them useless, where will the people be? In a sack, and probably pretty bruised and unhappy about it.

All the same, I have to give him credit for not accusing the United States of interfering with the election. It will be interesting to see if an organized opposition really materializes.

This comes from trying to shoehorn the whole scope of political ideology into a single left-right line. The Nolan chart, where one's positions on economics and social issues are charted independently, is much more clear. Its two-dimensional system distinguishes leftists like Lula from authoritarians like Chavez, as well as from conservatives, libertarians, and centrists.

Agreed! Your conclusion is what I would have commented myself, but you were far more articulated and clear that I would ever be.

Perhaps, I just dont quite agree that Lula is a true leftist. Ideologically he may have a left leaning, but he is rather a pragmatic and pragmatic individuals are just that practical. I think that Lula is practicing what Blair once said: "What counts is what works" and true leftists die hard and that is definitely not what Lula is...He will change his mind at a light speed if it he finds it more politically convenient...later on, he may turn around and change his mind again on that same issue....nothing new so far. Most politicians schooled in survival politics act like that. Political convenience and pragmatism are Lula's rule of thumb, not any ideological principle.