Hugo Chavez tries to become the next Julius Caesar

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2007-12-03 02:03pm

Chavez, it has to be said, is something of a little Kim Jong Il of the Americas. He talks big, but all this about threatening to cut off US oil supplies is so much hot air.

He can't cut off oil to the US now. But the Chinese want that too. If in his remaining term he manages to re-orient a significant part of oil trade to China, the so far vain threat can become more solid.

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2007-12-03 02:12pm

If I was the US, I'd be more worried about Mexico given they're even more important and they're crashing in exports as it is. If Chavez does manage to off load future contracts on the Chicoms, then it will make that energy deficit all the greater. The US may hate Chavez. They do, however, need him more than ever now. Remember, the American way of life is "non-negotiable".

Unless Iraq gets on-stream in a big way fast.

CJvR · Post by **CJvR** » 2007-12-03 02:15pm

Bush has granted himself many similar powers, and he didn't ask.

Just out of curiosity are there any provisions in the US for holding a popular referendum on a constitutional amendment?

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2007-12-03 02:18pm

They do, however, need him more than ever now. Remember, the American way of life is "non-negotiable".

Ah yes, I just forgot.

Sorry.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2007-12-03 03:45pm

CJvR wrote:Just out of curiosity are there any provisions in the US for holding a popular referendum on a constitutional amendment?

Sort if, it’s not spelled out but it is possible.

A US constitutional amendment passed by a two thirds vote in the house and senate then proceeds to the states for ratification; when 3/4ths of states have ratified then the amendment goes into effect. States may ratify via a vote in the state legislature or by holding special conventions, unless an amendment specifically requires that conventions are held. That was only the case for the 21st amendment. Either way about it the details (like how much of a majority a legislature vote needs to ratify) are up to each state to decide for its self. If a state wanted then it could hold a convention and have the delegates to that convention directly elected and forced by law to vote the way the voters wants. That would amount to a direct referendum.

Any way about it, the US constitution is not easily amended. It’s had just 27 amendments total, and 10 of those are the bill of rights, which everyone agreed to pass before the constitution its self was ratified. Also, while no specific mechanism exists for it, it is perfectly within the powers of the several states to convene a new constitutional convention and scrap the entire existing federal government.