Connie Mack: “while freedom is on the march in many places around the world, a resurgence of Socialist, Communist and anti-freedom…”

“while freedom is on the march in many places around the world, a resurgence of Socialist, Communist and anti-freedom governments and movements in Latin America represent an emerging threat to freedom and the United States. The instigator is Venezuela's Socialist President Hugo Chavez, who is using state-owned oil money to underwrite his iron-fisted control of the Venezuelan people, and to back his alliances with leftist leaders and causes throughout Latin America. With Chavez sitting on top of 6.5 percent of the world's proven oil reserves, and buoyed by oil at roughly $75 a barrel, Chavez has assumed the identity of a modern-day Simon Bolivar, who attempted to unify Latin America in the 1800s. Oil is Chavez's ATM to finance a ``Bolivarian revolution'' that abuses Presidential power in Venezuela and fans the flames of Socialists, and regional instability. In an interview last year, Chavez was clear in his motives. ``I am a revolutionary. I have to support the left wing movements in Latin America. We have to change Latin America.'' That is exactly what he is doing at the expense of freedom, security and prosperity. Democratic institutions are eroding rapidly in Venezuela. The legislative branch is controlled by Chavez, made up entirely of Chavez allies. The judicial branch is controlled by Chavez. The National Electoral Council is controlled by Chavez. It is no longer impartial.…”