Hi, Just to answer Barb's question: Most people we speak to are pro-Chavez, but then we tend to speak to socialist groups and govt people, the visits have been organised that way. I wondered about one or two the school teachers, got a sense they they wouldnt have said'otherwise, as we were there with govt representatives. We were told that there was strong opposition from many in the middle classes, yet, they said, those groups also benefited hugely from the changes. Wages have gone up in most areas of work. I can certainly see how working classes and unemployed have benefited. In the Barrios, they get free schools, kids get 3 free meals a day and free uniforms, all get free medical, dentistry.
... read more
