Honduran government thinks it can manipulate public opinion bombarding it with misleading advertising.
The new advertisement for a fourth ballot box is full of misleading phrases. Characters of the earlier announcement for the minimum wage appear, and also new ones. A young man, who got a girlfriend thanks to the raise in the minimum wage goes to a family reunion of hers where the topic of the fourth ballot box is raised. The father believes that the referendum proposed by the government is just an excuse for it to continue in power. Carmen, such is the name of the girlfriend, replied smiling: “How is that, Daddy, if it is only a consultation to reform the constitution?
The mother said: “I do believe it would be good for us to be consulted for the first time how we want to live.”
The boyfriend said that the fourth ballot box should be welcomed, in order for the minimum wage to remain. The parent asks, “And who is this?”. And one girl, who apparently is the sister of Carmen, replied: “He is the boyfriend.” To which the father replied very seriously: “I had not been consulted for any of this.” This created a stressful moment, so in order to overcome it, the mother said laughing: “Let us make the consultation, then”. And everyone smiles. Carmen caressed her mother approvingly.
Then a background voice says that there will be a referendum in June on the issue of the fourth ballot box, and that the people will have for the first time the ability to decide without intermediaries, that the popular consultation is the highest expression of democracy.
It is easy to see the subliminal manipulation involved. Apparently, they want to pigeonhole those of us who oppose to the fourth ballot box as bitter and negative, and those who support it would be smiling and optimistic.
The minimum wage issue is brought up without having anything to do with the topic, in order to attract support of workers.
It is simply a lie that with the fourth ballot box people will be able to take any decision without the need for intermediaries. On the contrary, the fourth box is just a subterfuge for Mel to remain in power.
To vote in favor of the creation of a new constitution is to give a blank check to this government and to pave the way for a dictatorship.
Although Mel may swear not to continue in power, his actions indicate otherwise. The way he has allied with governments using the strategy of reforming the constitution to remain in power is there for everyone to see.
Much of the constitution can be reformed without the need to call for a Constituent Assembly. The only thing that can not be reformed are stony articles, among which are those concerning the form of government and the duration of the presidential term.
It is clear that the interest in amending the constitution is to allow perpetuation in power.
See note by La Prensa newspaper.
We’ve been watching a lot of Channel 8 (that’s the number of the government propaganda station here in La Ceiba — I don’t know if it is the same in Tegus). It’s SCARY how manipulative they are. They always talk about making the constitution “more democratic.” I hope the people ask specifically how they plan to do that.
We also saw a show promoting the Liberal party. How democratic is that?!! Are they going to allow the Nacionalistas the same amount of time on their station?
I think you’ve mentioned that your interest (profession?) is economics…Can you write something about the proposed ‘sucre’?
Channel 8 is shameless partisan propaganda. It should be a channel of the STATE, not of the Liberal Party.
But heck, it looks that Zelaya is attacking his own party, because the bulk of liberals do not support his project of the fourth ballot box in November. That’s what we saw at the Convention of the Liberal Party last Saturday.
I have a licenciatura degree in Economics from UNAH. Not a profession I’m proud of.
The sucre is a system of regional compensation, a virtual currency, at least in its first stages (See this note from El Heraldo). It would only have an occasional use in major transactions between the governments of ALBA. Sounds like a good idea… in principle.
But knowing the clown that Hugo Chávez is, I doubt it would bring any benefit.
I don’t know why you wouldn’t be proud of your profession.
I have read a little about the sucre, but felt that perhaps the newspapers didn’t have much information either as I didn’t read a lot of details. No, I don’t trust Hugo Chávez to look out for anyone’s best interests except Hugo Chávez.
Now you have the decimoquinto salario to right about…. 😉