Venezuelans abroad are not all oligarchs bathing in money in Miami or Aruba

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, June 06, 2003 By: Caare W

Date: Fri, 06 Jun 2003 09:41:24 -0400 From: Caare W caarew@hotmail.com To: Editor@VHeadline.com Subject: Venezuelan exiles and the vote

Dear Editor: Ms. Gable starts her letter ”Why exactly should Venezuelan exiles be allowed to vote” by saying ”I don’t understand.”

Well, let me say that those three words are about the only correct information she gives in her letter. She clearly hasn’t understood, and doesn’t seem to have done much to understand.

First, even though I’m not a citizen of United States, it took me about five minutes to find out that she hadn’t understood (or bothered to check) the laws of her own country. I have to admit that this makes me skeptical about her ability to give a qualified opinion about laws and regulations in Venezuela.

She writes: ”I believe that US citizens abroad can vote in US federal level elections ... but I don't know about those who have given up residential status. I'm sure those who no longer pay US taxes may no longer vote in the US.” What’s for sure is that she's wrong.

The Federal Voting Assistance Program www.fvap.gov clearly states that ”Generally, all US citizens, 18 years or older, who are or will be residing outside the United States during an election period are eligible to vote absentee in any election for Federal office.”

There is no connection between paying taxes and being allowed to vote ... citizenship and the right to vote is not something you pay for by paying taxes ... it is a right you have as a citizen of a country.  Further, to vote is a right you have even if you’ve never been to the US ú see www.fvap.gov for further information.

In her question ”Why should they have any influence over the daily life that they refuse to participate in,” she seems to suggest that those Venezuelans not currently living in their country are abroad because they have some negative sentiments towards Venezuela.

Please think about the fact that all Venezuelans living abroad are not oligarchs bathing in money in Miami or Aruba. People might have reasons like studies, work, family ... you name it. There's no way one could distinguish between moral or immoral reasons why citizens choose to live in another place. The right of a citizen to participate in the democracy of his or her country is ... and should be ... a blind right, no matter who you are.

That’s exactly why Venezuelan exiles should be allowed to vote.

So please Dawn Gable try to base your opinions on facts, and not vice versa. Venezuelans abroad ... like citizens of other nations ... should of course have the right to vote. And Venezuelan consulates abroad, like consulates of other nations, should of course help Venezuelans in exercising those rights.

Regards, Caare W. caarew@hotmail.com

PS: Dawn Gable also comments that ”YES, they do hold elections in Cuba”. She's quite right. And you know what? Cubans avoid all those problems with deciding who they want to vote for, because there is just one candidate for each position. Isn’t that a good idea? Really a revolutionary democracy.