brainshrub.com - A controversial figure: Aymara Indian Evo Morales

A controversial figure: Aymara Indian Evo Morales

Written by Kai Schwandes

Monday, 08 October 2007

I know many have written about Mr. Morales and his Movement towards Socialism (MAS) so this is not "breaking news" but following his recent appearance on John Stewards I noticed a lot of negative accusations on the web.

I have to ask why? Why are we in the United States so opposed to left leaning leaders like Chavez and Morales? We claim that we love democracy so much that we use our military to spread it throughout the world .

Her are a few of Morales ideas:

Sovereignty:

Sovereign nations do not have the military bases of other nations in their countries. So, Bolivia will be ridding itself of US military occupations and establishing the country of Bolivia with the principle of non-violence and non-participation in war.

Indigenous cultures:

Our culture is a culture of life, Morales called on the United Nations to convene a world indigenous forum to “understand different ways of life.”To indigenous communities, he said, the Earth is sacred, as demonstrated by their practices. “Let us gather these experiences to defend life and to save humankind,” he said.

Human rights:

Natural resources should be accessible to all, he argued. “Water is a human right. Energy is a human right,” he said, stressing that these should not be considered commodities to be exploited by private businesses.

Consumption:

He said talk of bio-fuels was confusing. “I don't understand how we can produce food for cars. Soil should be for life! Because there is a lack of gas we are going to divert food for automobiles?” He called for giving up luxury. “We cannot continue to accumulate garbage,” he said.

Military:

President Morales spoke out against “economic policies that have caused genocide” and denounced the arms race. “War is the industry of Death"

Call me crazy, but I can find no fault in what he says. Of cause this kind of philosophy is not to the benefit of American Corporations but then why should we care about them?

Petition : US hands off Bolivia! Respect Bolivian sovereignty

Counter Point: read here and here , if you have the money to sign up!

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Susan (IP:76.182.61.4) 2007-10-08 15:53:23

Nor do I find fault with Morales. When he was in town and made several TV appearances, it was like he had this angelic glow about him of respectful innocence. He believes everything that he says! There was one (at least) thing left out of the blog post; he has nationalized all of the resources, even the oil. That means that multinationals cannot profit from sacking them and that the profits are being returned to the people!
What kind of progressivism is that? It is amazing, most Americans under the age of 50 cannot remember a time when that would have been possible in the U.S., but there was a time when the profit mandate did not rule.
Yes, the quality of life took a turn for the better when Evo Morales visited our country a few weeks ago.
If folks cannot go all the way to a Morales mindset, they should at least investigate the writings of Naomi Klein who advocates for a "mixed" economy, instead of pure capitalism. The only thing about pure capitalism is that it is "purely" evil.

citizen

Bob (IP:207.144.234.20) 2007-10-16 16:16:49

First comment; Capitalism is not purely evil. Capitalism is the way most of us have or do make a living. Unristricted capitalism is our problem. When our government and laws are purley for the benifit of the economy and do not consider the people, we are in trouble.
The reason that many people are against the left leaning governments of South America is that many confuse what these governments and their leaders are doing with the communist "threats" of the 60's,70's and 80's. As soon as the word "leftist" is used, people begin to fear. Why do you think the conservitives are called right and the liberals left. We have allowed the consertives to set the adjenda. Bob, Citizen

President of something

Errington Thompson (IP:75.143.220.250) 2007-10-19 00:10:13

Check out my blog - www.whereistheoutrage.net. Great chatting with you tonight at Drinking Liberally.