This whole criticizing politicians thing feels eerily familiar. Venezuelans have been hearing this, literally nonstop, from our resident leader for the last 11 years. Antipolitics as a way to do politics is one of the hallmarks that define Hugo Chávez. In fact, the failed coup leader came to power through the 1998 elections, fueled by a wave of discontent towards politicians and political parties shared by most Venezuelans. I vividly recall how people smiled and rejoiced at Chávez’s election promises to fry the heads of corrupt politicians, eradicate that scum from the face of the earth, and how the full weight of a new state would root out institutionalized corruption, making the guilty pay. Today, Chávez’s administration is more corrupt than the previous ten combined. Since he took power, an unexpected influx of over $700 billion has entered the public coffers, and we wonder: where did all that money go? Do the folks around here really think the political elite in the UK is entirely corrupt? Think again.
You’d think that citizens of the oldest democracy in the world would know better; unfortunately, the angry headlines paint a very different picture. The same media currently fanning the flames of hatred may well be censored tomorrow by those who capitalize on such irresponsible behavior. Of course, criticism is healthy and the right to it must be defended and promoted. But fostering the notion that all politicians are thieves is like fertilizing the ground from which charlatans like Chávez emerge. Those who have abused public trust and the system should be brought to justice. Let the courts handle them. However, compartmentalizing is a very dangerous double-edged sword. Guillotining the entire political class is precisely what the Nick Griffins and Fidel Castros of this world want; they thrive when the majority rejects rationalism.
We have been living with the consequences of such reckless collective attitudes in Venezuela for over a decade. Future generations have already lost out on development and bright prospects because of this. Are we better off? Definitely not. That’s why I see danger ahead. The BNP is already gaining traction and momentum; revealingly, those who shudder at the thought of its expanding base are the very ones guilty of that expansion.
The Venezuelanization of politics will bring more harm than good to this country. Britons should pause for a moment and consider the implications of having antipoliticians in office. History has many examples to learn from. It’s time for people to start acting in a mature and reasonable way, or should we believe that the struggles of previous generations were in vain?