or ever abused his power.

That' what we're told by his fans at DU.

He is in fact the wisest, noblest, and greatest leader in the world.

Internal 'enemies' to blame then punish, use any vague external threats to keep the population in fear while their rights are stolen from them because of the "Emergency Situation".

Enabling Act, all over again.

I've all but given up trying to have a critical discussion with them about the desperate need for Venezuela's leftist government to demonstrate basic competence and to put forward sound public policy.

latest little incursion into 'Rule by Decree'.

I don't follow the Venezuela thing much, but why do we even care? Do they represent some sort of threat?

Very silent so far with regards to this news. I can't wait to read how they spin this one.

They are generally bitterly disappointed that the revolution hasn't worked out so well.

For the Chavez family and their cronies, that is.

It's the example conservatives use to scare people on how socialism works.

Venezuela is shit but it's not because they have social protection programs, it's because it's run by idiots and corruption.

N/t

Venezuela is ran by morons. Corrupt, plundering ignorant fools, that want to blame their corruption on America.

Top-down, heavy handed government with very few limits on its power. There have to be checks on power, otherwise, idiots and incompetents like Maduro get anything they want. And when things go wrong, there is nothing to stop (or even slow down) the unmitigated disaster that's unfolding there.
Things aren't perfect here. There are things I'd love to see changed in the US. But I know that at 3 in the morning, I can get in my car and drive 1 mile to the grocery store and get a 24 pack of toilet paper.
And these idiots think their problems are caused by them not having enough power. That's not the problem. The problem is that you don't know how to run a country. You think you can force people to cooperate with you at the point of a gun. You don't listen to your critics. You arrest opposition politicians. Your country doesn't build anything. You don't create anything. No one wants to do business wit you because you lie and steal. Anyone that has the ability to leave has done so, taking their knowledge, and their money with them.
"But at last he'll have the power to do what needs to be done."
That sentiment sounds hollow every time it's been uttered throughout history.

Denmark, Finland, Sweden, maybe even throw in New Zealand as good examples of democracy, capitalism, & socialist programs co-existing successfully.

I agree with you about a full Communist type government with few limits on it's power (and the downward spiral that causes), which is as bad as a full Capitalist society with no social safeguards. The trick is getting the balancing act right, and there are some places that have managed to do it.

this. And Maduro's government is not a good example of socialism. If they did things like Finland, I'd love it. The people there are very happy, from what I've seen. The banks don't have near as much power as they do here. There are checks and balances on both sides of the equasion. And that's the difference. The Finnish government works with the businesses to create a good society. Maduro thinks he can force it at the point of a gun.
I don't know of any problems that are happening there because Maduro doesn't have enough power.

And a couple rocks and a river for laundry.

After all, there was absolutely totally a coup in the works, guys. Maduro wouldn't just make shit like that up to get decree powers.

That would be the US.

But of course the US would never, ever, ever try to overthrow the Venezuelan government. Oh, wait.

And the US would never, ever, ever spend millions trying to subvert Venezuelan democracy. Oh, wait.

It's just that Maduro is a buffoon and a madman. Seems a fairly familiar tactic against leaders we don't like.

I'm not a big fan of granting sweeping powers to the executive--AUMF and Patriot Act, anyone?--and I hope things settle down there soon.

But I bet DU's very own Red Squad is quite willing to cheer lead a descent into instability and chaos...as long as it rids them of the evil socialists.