Volu m e II - Purdue University Calumet

particularly when you have neighbors like Chavez trying to do the same thing.” While their policies
are very different in ideology and implementation, there is a striking resemblance to Uribe’s
challenge and the constitutional reform of Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. Here in the United States
and elsewhere, one sees the constitutional change brought on by Chavez to keep power and
believes it to be wrong. However, because Colombia is an Ally in the war on drugs, is one
expected to see the same action by Uribe and believe it is okay?
Earlier discussion brought up Uribe’s call for healthcare reform. While this can be seen as
a plus, it is also a red flag to show that his grasp of power is getting far too tight. While more
affordable health care is a laudable cause, pushing it through without public debate is nonsensical.
Other options, possibly better than those proposed, need to be heard, and compromises must be
made so that everyone can look at the bill and appreciate it. Although having a set list of proper
drug treatments leaves out the possibility of bad drugs or those with terrible side effects, making
them choose only from this list instead of possible traditional, herbal treatments and then fining
doctors who choose treatment off the list does not allow doctors to fully practice medicine but
rather makes them settle for mediocre treatment of patients.
Also, logically his call for constitutional change does not make sense. In an article for the
New York Times, Juan Forero cites Uribe saying “We cannot fight patronage if we practice
patronage.” This comment, especially since he fought for changing the law to benefit himself,
commits the fallacy of inconsistency. If he were to truly believe in not supporting patronage, then
he would not practice it. Andres Pastrana, the former Colombian President, in an interview with
Colombian newspaper El Espectador after the introduction of the first constitutional reform says
“What I do not like is for the president to amend the constitution for his own benefit.” While
patronage generally takes form in one helping their friends, it is still patronage when one helps
themselves by changing the law.
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