Imagine this happening in the U.S. Difficult to imagine, I know.

Morales is real-deal democrat, beyond Native Bolivian. I do object to BBC’s use of the phrase, “special privileges.” Unless the BBC at some time previously referred to Bolivia’s oligarchy as specially privileged? I don’t know but am guessing not likely “never.”

Naturally, wealthy power (a redundancy) in the wealthiest four provinces voted “no” to equality, as wealth invariably objects to the slightest diminishing of their own long-standing (seemingly timeless) “special privileges.” True even more of petite bourgeoisie than of bigger-time type. Mr. Painter, of the BBC, commented that polarization (with “z”) is unlikely to diminish. Well, power doesn’t tend to relinquish power readily. No doubt vote will not do more to diminish polarization, as though that were Morales’ objective.

Evidently, Morales has not much interest in bipartisanship, mercifully for average Bolivians. “Bipartisanship” being just another (highly ideological) word for “status quo.”

(Cocco wrote a good piece on the topic of bipartisanship. “Cult” indeed.)

Nor did Lincoln have much use for same all that long ago. Back when he insisted on Union. The U.S. was polarized as anyplace ever was. What of it? I’m certain that were it nor for the Civil War, likes of Lincoln would now be appearing in big media opposite likes of Davis to argue abolition position against that maintaining that slavery is an excellent thing, like the “free market.” Likes of Lincoln would be regarded as slightly suspicious leftist in opposition to slightly right-wing centrist likes of Davis. If/when any complained of patent lunacy, media would whine in reply that they were “only” presenting both sides, and thus not responsible in any way, shape or form. 

Good to learn that democracy is happening someplace, proving it can be done, even under circumstances of leadership. By means of voting booth when population is informed. And when offered choices. And when media isn’t quite so overwhelming in “innocently” informing opinion. And peaceably too. Thus far. I hope Morales didn’t speak too soon of the end of “colonial state.” (I’m knocking on wood just now.)

As for colonial-statist, Santa Cruz Governor Costas, no fool like an oligarchic one desperately clinging to what remain of “special privileges.” Since you, Governor Costas, brought up the topic of “fools.” (See mirror.)

Would North Americans weren’t quite so willfully ignorantly unwilling—out of the most foolish hubris—to learn by Bolivian example. But true, we are—up north here—doing very well from the standpoint of symbolism/spectacle, what we cherish most. Morales isn’t even good-looking.

The very idea of European dominion in Bolivia based upon the Papal Bull Inter Caetera coupled with the belief in Euro exceptionalism, is after five hundred years of brutal control, finally ending. The United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, passed in 2007, although voluntary in regulation, is having it’s intended effect.  Increasingly, the Indigenous Peoples of South America are reclaiming their lands, resources, and their right to live in the cultures passed down to them by their ancestors, absent the Bolivian Euro/Elite’s imposed policies of continued genocide.

As Europe and North America’s power is being effectively challenged by China and India, the idea of European and American exceptionalism will die the death that false doctrines do.  In this environment of decline, the Indigenous Nations of North America will also reassert their sovereignty putting an end to this genocidal disgrace that claimed the lives of over one hundred million Indigenous Americans.  The American Continent’s First Peoples whose continued existence upon this land, arguably goes back twenty five thousand years, will not continue under the yoke of a Nation that after only 230 years stands on the edge of ruin.  This is a time of reckoning.