Our Man In Caracas

As of this moment a very improtant decision is being made in Venezuela . A referendum to determine if Hugo Chavez will rule the country by decree for the next twenty years . The good news is that he's not expected to receive the majority vote . The bad news is , should he win the reforms he has planned will take a Venezuelan economy that's already shaky and topple it . Granted some parts of there economy is doing well , but the majority of there money is made on oil exports , which helps to fund they're health care system . Yet other things like consumer goods such as groceries are in short supply . Venezuela also trades with Iran , but with U.N. sanctions over that country's nuclear program on the horizon that particular partnership does not appear favorable . I personally believe he holds a grudge against the U.S. for not backing him during an attempted coup in 2002 . It's the only thing that makes any sense out of Chavez's single minded goal of destroying the U.S. economy . Also i don't believe he holds as much influence as he would like with other world leaders . In the last few weeks he tried to convince OPEC to except only the euro and cited the falling value of the dollar as " a sign the empire is coming down " however most world leaders don't really take him to seriously . Even King Juan Carlos of Spain told Chavez to "shut up " after one of his rants about fighting American Imperialism .