I love Christmas as much as the next guy, but I prefer to have it occur right around Dec. 25. It is clear, however, that there are many people in this world who are not like me. Take Venezuela president Nicolás Maduro, for example.
According to an article on Time World titled “Christmas Comes Early to Venezuela, by Presidential Decree,” Maduro kicked off an early Christmas on Nov. 2. Instead of moving up Christmas, Maduro should focus on improving aspects of his country that actually matter, such as health care, crime and foreign relations. Doing so would improve Venezu- ela more than Nativity lights and Santa Claus.
Venezuela is a country that has experienced extreme poverty with interspersed periods of growth because of irregular oil sales. It has also had many political system shifts over the years, which has contributed to the polarization in its economy.
In early March of this year, Venezuela’s longtime president Hugo Chávez lost his battle
with cancer. Those who know about Venezuela’s history know Chávez was openly hostile towards the United States and once said, “Socialism builds, and capitalism destroys.”
Following his death, his vice president and preferred successor Maduro won the presidential election. He said following his victory, “I am ensuring the legacy of my commander, Chávez, the eternal father.”
This all matters because under Chávez, Venezuela went further into debt, the people became even more stratified and crime rates went through the roof. Since Maduro is an avid Chávez supporter, it looks like all of those problems will remain, if not intensify, during his presdency. Maduro’s decree to move up Chrismas goes to show just how out of touch he is with his country’s real needs, just as Chávez was.
What does this “early Christmas” entail? According to Fox News Latino, the Nativity lights are up and on at the presidential palace, and all workers will receive the first two-thirds of their bonuses and pensions. Critics claim this early Christmas is meant to get him votes in the municipal elections which are held at the beginning of December. They also claim Maduro is “trying to ease off growing discontent over the country’s economic crisis, food shortages and the spike of crime in Caracas.”
In early March of this year, Venezuela’s longtime president Hugo Chávez lost his battle
with cancer. Those who know about Venezuela’s history know Chávez was openly hostile towards the United States and once said, “Socialism builds, and capitalism destroys.”
Following his death, his vice president and preferred successor Maduro won the presidential election. He said following his victory, “I am ensuring the legacy of my commander, Chávez, the eternal father.”
This all matters because under Chávez, Venezuela went further into debt, the people became even more stratified and crime rates went through the roof. Since Maduro is an avid Chávez supporter, it looks like all of those problems will remain, if not intensify, during his presdency. Maduro’s decree to move up Chrismas goes to show just how out of touch he is with his country’s real needs, just as Chávez was.
What does this “early Christmas” entail? According to Fox News Latino, the Nativity lights are up and on at the presidential palace, and all workers will receive the first two-thirds of their bonuses and pensions. Critics claim this early Christmas is meant to get him votes in the municipal elections which are held at the beginning of December. They also claim Maduro is “trying to ease off growing discontent over the country’s economic crisis, food shortages and the spike of crime in Caracas.”
Maduro states, however, that his real motive is much less questionable. According to Fox News Latino, Maduro said, “We wanted to declare the arrival of Christmas because we want happiness for everyone.” Maduro also said early Christmas is the “best vaccine” for those who want to stir up trouble.
I’m no political expert, but I would imagine that an early Christmas would not be the way to solve any country’s problems. Instead of focusing on Christmas, Maduro should take his desire for “happiness for all” and apply it to things that matter, like crime, poverty and the economy.
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I’m no political expert, but I would imagine that an early Christmas would not be the way to solve any country’s problems. Instead of focusing on Christmas, Maduro should take his desire for “happiness for all” and apply it to things that matter, like crime, poverty and the economy.
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