[Marxism] NYT: Chávez Again Seeks to End Term Limits

[Joaquin Bustelo]

Steven L. Robinson writes: "How then do you explain the Mexican experience,
where one of the major demands of the revolution of 1910 was to impose term
limits on the Mexican Presidency?  

"Surely you can not say that in all cases and in all instances term limits
are a reactionary thing."

When applied against the Porfiriato the demand for no re-election was
progressive. But it simply meant out with this dictator. And the real
problem there was Porfirio Diaz's stealing of elections. "Term limits" in
general, on their face, are anti-democratic, designed as they are to
frustrate the popular will. In Latin America they're being used as a
rallying cry against Chavez as they were two decades ago against the
Sandinistas. And when the bourgeoisie needs one of their own re-elected, the
constitution gets changed (Uribe in Colombia).

It is an illusion to think that "democracy" is somehow "strengthened" by
such provisions. 

Joaquin