by María L. Trigos-Gilbert

The “whole” world has been mighty worried about the election year the country of Venezuela is having in 1998. Why is it so? It is so because after four decades and a bit more the Venezuelans have gotten super tired of false promises. We may call those false promises mere LIES.

I think that we all can relate to the Venezuelans’ feelings from time to time . . . right? Oh yes, one thing is to try to do the best for a country, and another thing is to become the beast of the country.

Who is the Best Politician?
The best politician is the one who says what we want to hear, without taking into consideration the premises that may support his conclusion. Of course, I know you are thinking that is not the best politician, but indeed the worst. You are right, but we always make jokes about those who are “pretty” good liars. We usually describe them as the best lawyers or the best politicians, meaning that when a lawyer talks, or a politician talks, we ALMOST don’t believe a thing that he/she may be saying.

We are very used to being lied to in the clean and open face of a dialogue from any candidate for the presidency of any given country or a candidate to any given state.

Who is Mr. Hugo Chavez?
Hugo Chavez is a pretty powerful candidate, who may even win the presidential elections in Venezuela. He has been saying just exactly what people want to hear. He abominates the corrupters of the democratic system in Venezuela. Now as a paradox we find him striking the democratic system of four years ago. The guy has all the reasons to do so, but “the meaning doesn’t justify the way.”

Salas Romer says he doesn’t like the whole system as much as Mr. Hugo Chavez doesn’t like either system. Therefore, we have two people debating each other, but indeed supporting idealism. This makes the situation a bit more tied because we have two saying the same thing.

What else is Mr. Hugo Chavez?
Mr. Hugo Chavez is an ex-military. He no longer represents the military system of the country of Venezuela because he tried to use his power to break into the democratic system four years ago. Nevertheless, he received the pardon of all the political parties, adding to it a bit of resentment from all parties, but somehow they overcame their feelings and have tried to have a “clean” debate in this year’s elections.

So now we have a Mr. Hugo Chavez trying to win this 1998 election to become the official president of a republic that has had a democratic system over forty years. Venezuela has been a country where more likely all races, sexes, and religions have felt very equal and very well accepted. Yet suddenly everybody fears years of freedom may disappear with the presence of Mr. Hugo Chavez as the president of the country of Venezuela.

What about Simon Bolivar?
I guess that you have read or heard about Simon Bolivar. He fought for the freedom of Venezuela as much as he fought for the freedom of four other Latin countries besides Venezuela: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Paraguay. He wanted freedom for those countries; this freedom was gained with blood, money, and a long time of many preparations. It will be almost sarcastic to be once again be in the hands of a person who has tried to strike the system.

Of course, we all agree that everyone needs and deserves a chance, but we all will agree that there is a danger in who gets the chance. If giving anybody a chance means the sacrifice of a whole country, it becomes almost impossible to preserve what the Venezuelans have been fighting for all these years.

Those fights are the following: Freedom of speech, freedom of beliefs, freedom of equal opportunities. It feels as if we are talking about the many freedoms that the USA supports and battles in a daily basis.

El Universal Digital, Venezuelan Online Newspaper
When I read the news of the country of Venezuela in the EUD, it is as if I am reading letters from people that I don’t personally know, but indeed have the same feelings and beliefs about certain issues. It feels as if I am reading a personal email which has been published for everyone’s knowledge. It feels great because I was born in Venezuela. I don’t have the time, money, or opportunity to be in Venezuela on a daily basis, but with EUD I read what I am missing while I am in the USA. Am I missing something really? Oh yes! Absolutely. Although at times I think I am not missing a thing because certain issues still remain the same way as when I left the country of Venezuela four years ago. It is a bit interesting.

A Very Transparent Governors Election
Yes, thanks to God, the Venezuelans made their rights pretty transparent, mighty crystal on November 8, 1998. They went to vote for their favorite governors; they didn’t mind the tardiness of the tables that were to open two hours earlier than they actuality did. The Venezuelans didn’t mind the changes of the weather; it was at times sunny, rainy, and dry. They voiced their opinions with their votes. Who is capable or has the courage of shutting down a whole country when they do what they are supposed to? NOBODY. Not even one is capable or has the courage of such thing.

Do I Care Who Wins or Who Loses?
Yes, I do care and I care very much because what we do with the present affects our future. The Venezuelans are not so “stupid” as some people may have thought. It is needless to say that it has been a difficult decade for the Venezuelans. It is needless to say the country of Venezuela has made many people worried all around the world in this election year. Yet it needs to be said that the Venezuelans have not forgotten how important it is to have FREEDOM OF EVERYTHING AND FREEDOM FOR EVERYBODY. The Venezuelans are extremely tired of the same old song, “I am here to help you and will do whatever it takes.” Yes, the Venezuelans have understood that what the person may mean is, “I am here to HELP MYSELF and will do WHATEVER IT TAKES.”

It is too late to fool those who have experienced it all. It is too late to hide the sun with a finger when the sun is shining in our faces. It is too late to make someone believe what the person himself/herself doesn’t believe. We are not brainless, neither the Venezuelans. Life’s matters are all about A MATTER OF TIME. The Venezuelans are so tired that they don’t believe a thing. Although at times I have worried about their huge necessity for someone good, someone for them and with them. Yet my worries are released when I read and picture the Venezuelans looking for a fine and clean exit with a democratic system that will help them.

What Democracy Am I Talking About?
Yes, Venezuelans have felt that the democratic system is as good as hunger in a full stomach – useless. They all ask, “But what democracy are you all talking about? We haven’t seen it; we haven’t experienced it?” They are right, but it doesn’t give them a green light to do whatever they feel like doing. It is not the democracy of Venezuela that doesn’t work. It is the fact that those in charge of practicing it and delivering to the ones who are controlled by it, don’t have a single tiny clue of how to govern, how to conduct a country that is starving for a clean and open debate in all senses and at all times.

Conclusion
I do encourage the Venezuelans and much as I encourage the whole world to look ALWAYS for a democratic party that will do the job with us, yet not for us. Do you recall who said this following thought, “Don’t ask what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” Now the question is this: Do you believe it? And do you practice it? If you work and work hard and smart, you are doing your part. If you voice your opinions in a logical manner, you are doing your part. If you try dialogue rather than a soundless monologue, you are doing your part. If they, the politicians, “don’t hear you,” and you try different meanings for your sane purpose, you are doing your part. The contrary of all mentioned is that you are not doing your part if you don’t try until you bleed and say, “Nothing else that I am able to say or do.” Take the chance and give things a try. It is fair in any affair!

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