We all know that Hugo Chavez is a thug that uses the political process for his personal gain. But despite nationalizing TV stations and entire sectors of the economy and redirecting oil revenue to have in his pocket a massive military/law enforcement arm (both in Venezuela and in surrounding countries) there is one battle he cannot win: that of ideas. Ideas such as individual freedom and responsibility.

Spearheading the movement for a freer society based on these ideas are students. But they face significant resistance from Chavez’s corrupt government and his blatant disregard for the Constitution and the rights of others. Our friends over at Students for Liberty framed the battle as:

A student movement, premised on peace, non-violence, and human rights, versus the government’s use of the military to bomb them with teargas and use high-pressured hoses

Most people believe that collectivism died with the fall of the Berlin Wall. But many, such as Chavez, continue to promote the same agenda under different labels through the political process. By cloaking their actions under the aura of government legitimacy, they have literally been able to get away with murder, theft, and other very real harms.

It’s time to push back. To recognize Chavez’s actions for what they are. And to stand with our fellow man to battle this oppression.

For more on this read about the actions taken by Venezuelan student leader Yon Goicoechea. Then check out the Communism Kills and Politics Hurt overviews on Bureaucrash Social. Also of interest may be the Students For Liberty group housed there as well.