Rich Vs. Poor At Root Of Honduran Political Crisis

[Judi Lynn]

Rich Vs. Poor At Root Of Honduran Political Crisis
by Jason Beaubien
October 5, 2009

In Honduras on Monday, de facto president Roberto Micheletti lifted an emergency decree and restored some civil liberties. He imposed the decree last week after nationwide protests erupted following the return of ousted President Manuel Zelaya.

The protracted presidential standoff is highlighting the deep divisions in the country's society, which is split between a powerful yet tiny elite and the vast majority of poor, ordinary citizens.

Zelaya remains holed up in the Brazilian Embassy in Tegucigalpa, the Honduran capital. Both sides are calling for dialogue, but so far, there has been little progress on a negotiated settlement to the stalemate.

Since Zelaya — who is often referred to as "Mel" — was ousted, there have been protests in Tegucigalpa both for and against his return.

"In Honduras, we are accustomed to a government of the rich," says Marixa Gorgos, a pro-Zelaya demonstrator. "And the problem for our president, Mel Zelaya, was that he worked for the poor."

More:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113504873&ft=1&f=1001

[GreenTea]

1. And of course the treasonous republicans went down there to support the Honduras rich.

[asdjrocky]

2. If it's rich vs. poor we know who wins.

Isn't it wonderful that we've been able to export the American way all over the world?

[LaPera]

3. That's one of the most disgusting shameless quotes it rattles me!

"In Honduras, we are accustomed to a government of the rich," says Marixa Gorgos, a pro-Zelaya demonstrator. "And the problem for our president, Mel Zelaya, was that he worked for the poor."

Even if it's meant to help Zelaya it should not be a "problem" and seemingly accepted as just a fact and a way of life....Democrats we must now understand that the republican party in our country think & feel the same exact way.

Fuck the American workers, eat the poor and hope the "peasants" die soon.... Hateful Lying Greedy Republicans!

[troubledamerican]

4. Fascism

[SharonAnn]

5. True. I lived there during the last year of military and first part of "democracy"

The Constitution was written by the elite and the military. It provides for a weak president, limited to 1 term.

The Supreme Court and rest of the court system is not "independent" but is led by the elite.

The military is the "goon squad" of the elite.

The greed of the elite is staggering, though it should be familiar to us by now. But the incredible poverty and total lack of opportunity (education especially, then jobs) for the huge majority of the population is truly awful.

The history of the American companies there is that of a colonial power. Strip resources, use low cost labor, control the political environment, keep the peasants down. Go to the coastal areas where the American Fruit companies have been for more than a century. You won't find any schools, hospitals, or roads that they built. Not one. A scattered few schools and medical clinics were built by religious mission organizations.

[Judi Lynn]

6. Your post is so greatly appreciated. Thank you. n/t

[Doctor_J]

7. That explains why the US terrorists like DeMint support Micheletti

they're hoping to emulate his coup here.