Any way you slice it

Contrary to perception, very few tyrannies are established with violence at the outset. The most effective ones slowly insinuate themselves through existing systems, biding time until pretense is no longer needed.

Hugo Chavez is using salami tactics in his drive to establish so-called “Bolivarean” socialism — that is, his own national-socialist autocratic rule — in that country. I wrote about this last week: “Sometimes revolution can be achieved without sudden, dramatic bloodletting.” There are a number of different prongs to Chavez’s continuing revolution, a number of slices. They may be examined individually, but they are best understood as variations of the same, as components of a single overarching plan. The nationalization of industry, the seizure of private property, repression of dissent and opposition, control of the media, one-party rule, rule by decree, and, soon, the removal of constitutional impediments to the permanent and perpetual rule of the leader himself. The pattern is clear. One slice, then another, and another, and another, with no one slice so grave as to compel anyone to act...

Of course, if you follow the links in the paragraph above, it appears the same process has been at work in the U.S. as well for some time now. In fact, Chavez is late to the game when it comes to taking over education...

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatened on Monday to close or take over any private school that refuses to submit to the oversight of his socialist government as it develops a new curriculum and textbooks.

“Society cannot allow the private sector to do whatever it wants,” said Chavez, speaking on the first day of classes.

Expecting criticism of the move, the relative Chavez put in charge of the country's educational 'reform' pointed out Europe and the U.S. have long accepted a state role in providing education. That's what happens when we preach free markets and republican virtue, but fail to practice it at home...