Venezuela has the opportunity, as freed from corporate influence

as it is, to become a powerful model of hope for the countries surrounding it. The country has the resources to build wealth and the political motivation, education and courage to create a free, just and true democracy.

But its people must be careful. "Us vs. them" thinking will not lead them down that path. They must think about what political approach will be effective yet flexible enough to solve the problems they face, while at the same time maintaining checks on the power of their political leaders. They must not get caught up in "getting back" at those who have oppressed them in the past, but instead increase the breadth of their focus and envision what political structure will give everyone the greatest opportunity and quality of life years and years out.

This is not an easy thing to do. Even the U.S. Constitution has not been perfect in its implementation. But, at the same time things could certainly be a lot worse here in the U.S.- as corrupted as our political discourse has become, it is still strong and even showing signs of reinvigoration recently. Much of that can be attributed to our founders, while clearly bitter, not acting purely in reaction to the King, whom they overthrew, but thinking in the abstract as to what will keep our national politics healthy in itself.

Building a strong country, no matter the form, will take decades for Venezuela, just as it took the U.S. And just as in the U.S., there will be difficult times, difficult decisions, controversy, meltdown even. The key is that they create a political foundation that will withstand such things, a foundation that will foster ideas from all sides at all times so as to avoid stagnation.

They have this opportunity, and it would bring me great joy to see them take good advantage of it and succeed.