I Love Latin

This is a reader comment from another website. The content is interesting, and you'll get the point without reference to the original article. But the real reason I include it is his use of "Proto-Dictator" for the Dear Leader. I think he's got something there. It's the very phrase I've been looking for. ("Wannabe" just doesn't have the same panache.)

Here's an interesting confluence of coincidences for you.

Hugo Chavez tried twice before he got his constitution's term limits removed so he could become Presidente for Life. Our Proto-Dictator goes all soft and cuddly with him with not a word about the role of a constitution in a democracy.

Zaleya tries to use extra-constitutional smoke and mirrors to have his constitution's term limits removed so he could become Presidente for Life. Our Proto-Dictator leaps to his defense in the name of "democracy" while ignoring the fact that the constitution is the keystone of democracy.

Recent stories indicate that our Proto-Dictator's people are already working on how to get the 22nd Amendment of our Constitution repealed -- or how to get around it, if recent history accurately reflects their attitude toward the Constitution -- so he can become President for Life..

Obama has no choice but to sanctify Chavez and Zaleya because he will need to justify his own elevation to life status.

Democracy, it seems, no longer has anything to do with the will of the people and, tragically, even less to do with constitutions.

That way tyranny lies.

--A. C. Santore

The Gunslinger
Enemy of the Imperial State