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NOT TO URIBE'S IMMEDIATE REELECTION

Yesterday's El Tiempo Editorial advocated for the immediate reelection of Uribe. It was expected that this paper would throw its support to the current administration; after all, Uribe's VICE-PRESIDENT Santos is the son of the newspaper owner (Talking about independant media..hehe).
But that aside, this is why Uribe MUST NOT be immediately reelected: An immediate reelection would only evidence that Colombia has not stopped being a THIRD WORLD BANANA REPUBLIC in which the country's people put pressure on the independant judicial body of the Supreme Court, and rally behind a CAUDILLO or mesianic leader (think of Bush??? hehe) to solve their problems. A solid and stable democracy is only reflected in the ROBUSTNESS of all its institutions which will be around in the long-term, but not on the lifetime and power of a CAUDILLO. That's a little sophisticated and short-termed solution. The thing is that Uribe knows it but he'd rather opt out for maintaining power.

A more intelligent and strategic way to continuing with the Colombian economic and security momentum is to have an election in which URIBE is NOT a candidate but in which he could be could present another candidate of his own party for reelection. Now, for the period 2010-2014. Uribe should run; this would REALLY and GREATLY strengthen all institutions, the rule of law and the understanding for long-term solutions. DEMOCRACIES SHOULD NOT rest on single persons but instead on INSTITUTIONS.
NO A LA REELECCIÓN DE UN CAUDILLO, S�? A LA SOLIDEZ DE LAS INSTITUCIONES DEMOCR�?TICAS.

By ColomBuenazo on Aug 29, 2005, 07:49 in Friendly Talkzone.

ColomBuenazo says on Aug 29, 2005, 20:05:

Not INTERESTED in topic? I realize this is not a LCD (Lowest Common Denominator) kind of topic so most PBH'ers don't want to opine on it, but it would be stimulating to see people's perspective on this relevant and historic topic.

I refuse to post jaded topics like "Is Colombia safe?", "Can I teach English in Colombia?", "Just got married and confused about papers".

Cheers

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Miguel says on Aug 30, 2005, 06:36:

I am interested Just waiting to read a colombiano perspective...my short answer is I am all for re-election of Uribe, but you made some interesting points.

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Colombiche says on Aug 30, 2005, 06:57:

I am interested too I am also completely for reelection. Like Miguel said, you made some good points, but I am for the reelection of Uribe for many reasons:

1) Colombia was in such a state of chaos under Pastrana that it DID need a messianic

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Colombiche says on Aug 30, 2005, 06:57:

No me den trago extranjero, que es caro y no sabe a bueno.... (Rafael Godoy)

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Copete says on Aug 30, 2005, 16:10:

BS That argument of EL TIEMPO supporting Uribe just because Francisco Santos is his Vice-President is pure baloney. Let's just remember that EL TIEMPO backed Horacio Serpa last time, despite the fact that Uribe was running with Francisco Santos back then also.

And you just need to come up with a better argument than a blind opposition to Uribe's "caudillismo." In order to build strong institutions than can run smoothly despite incompetent leaders (as in USA), strong visionary leadership is needed first (as in the early days of the USA). So, if you want to criticize Uribe, criticize him based on his ideas and his long-term goals for the country, not just on a style which in principle is just that: a style, which has been pretty damn effective by the way.

My opinion goes close to the lines of EL TIEMPO: the way in which the reelection was approved and institutionalized was not pretty, but from a pragmatic point of view, today's Colombia does need a leader in Uribe's mold. And reelection by itself is not a threat to strong institutions; please give me names of developed countries which do not allow reelection. For once, reelection should at least prompt future presidents to think long-term, rather than concentrate on immediate results as all presidents in recent Colombian history have done.

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