[Working-Class] fwd: Venezuela Chavez and Opposition Clashing over Land Property

[red1pearl at aol.com]

Chavez's steps and the reaction discussed below show the inherent conflict between developing the means of production to serve human needs and the interests of private property in land (and all workplaces). So does the capitalist political strategy of frightening all those who own personal property, like a car. The ruling class clearly hopes to rally the small business owners and more successful workers into opposing Chavez's steps. The working class needs clarity and strategy to win over many of these same layers and at least neutralize some potential enemies. Clarity on what socialism would mean has to be the starting point for an effective response. 
 
Chavez tries to placate the capitalist fear-spreaders by saying that his 'revolution' will not break the rules of the game does not break private ownership of the means of production, land and all workplaces. Isn't that what has happened here with the land reform? Or is it? If you have info, please send it and I'll share with everyone here. But, to meet the needs of the impoverished majority, that is exactly what is needed, is it not? Or can such limited measures as this land reform break Venezuelans' dependence on selling oil for food with the U.S. and in the world market? What do you think?
 
For marxists, the question now becomes: where is the voice for a consistent, thorough alternative to capitalis domination that WILL have to break the 'rules' of a few owning what the many of us produce in all the major workplaces? We saw the failure of the masses movements to spontaneously create that alternative in Argentina, did we not? There are voices and groups attempting to develop that alternative, on the ground but first in their heads. Without clarity of ideas, the best intentions lead nowhere. We could use more such here as well, no?
 
viva the alternative! viva the needed discussion!
 
Earl
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Rolandgarret at aol.com
To: clnews at lists.clnews.org
Sent: Sun, 25 Sep 2005 23:14:55 EDT
Subject: CLNews: FYI: [handsoffvenezuela] Venezuela Chavez and Opposition Clashing over Land Property


Venezuela Chavez and Opposition Clashing over Land Property

Caracas, Sept 25 (Prensa Latina) Land property in Venezuela has become the latest boiling issue between the administration of Hugo Chavez and the opposition, with the latter considering government measures a campaign against private property.

The opposition argues that Venezuelans will lose houses, cars and even custody over their children, but behind what may seem naive allegations against the Chavez´ social proposals, private media have launched a propaganda offensive which goes beyond a defense of landowners´ interests.

So, in the opposition´s campaign, the ghost of a predatory socialism covers for a lack of an alternative program to the Bolivarian Revolution social policies which have provided millions of marginalized people with free health care and education.
In all his speeches which often become a dialogue with the population, Chavez has explained that these projects of social justice and improved distribution of the country´s wealth is the basis of his Socialist proposal, but has insisted his government will respect private ownership.

He says capitalism won´t manage to find a solution to issues including unemployment, poverty and destitution, so its replacement with other production system has become necessary.

Specifically regarding the intervention of 1,111,973 acres of land in 10 unused large farms, the Venezuelan authorities argue it is not an attack on private property, but a necessity to guarantee food.

Venezuela, which imports about 80 percent of the food it consumes, has identified 7.5 million acres of land divided in large states and distributed in just 317 properties.

However, according to National Land Institute estimates, the amount of land divided in large states could reach 59.3 million acres in the whole country, most of them poorly exploited.


The proposal is to give unused land to farming cooperatives which will get financial, technical support from the State, as an alternative for Venezuelans to advance.
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