My dear sister, et al,

I´m fine, and things in Venezuela, in general, and in Lara State, in particular, are even better than I had previously imagined. They are well on their way in the construction of a new revolutionary society. I never imagined that the level of social, economic and political consciousness of the ordinary Venezuelan would be as high as it evidently is. These are indeed an awakened people!

Virtually everyone I encounter asserts his or her conviction that socialism - built from below - is their first and only path. When the ¨capitalist¨owners of small furniture and grocery stores also assert the same conviction, in my presence, I am left speechless by the apparent contradiction. Why, I wonder, would a successful furniture-store owner in Rio Tocuyo, embrace socialism? How did this all happen in just ten short years since Hugo Chavez was first democratically elected president by an overwhelming majority?

I have assisted the teacher in English classes at a local High School here in Rio Tocuyo (an indigenous word), and I think I learnt more from the experience than I was able to teach. Since my Spanish is non-existent I am forced to rely on my helpful teacher friend, Jesus Rojas, who faithfully translates every word I say. The kids enjoyed my presence in their class-room and expressed great interest in my background, my interests in Venezuela, and they have all invited me back again to help them speak English. They were beautiful teenagers and I showed them great respect and, naturally, they reciprocated.

The English-teaching professors, journalists and political activists have done the same, and they have all expressed gratitude for my presence among them. (It is not a common occurrence to have foreign visitors in these remote parts). They, too, wish to converse with me in order to improve their English pronunciations as well as to enquire about my analysis and interpretation of their ´Socialism for the 21st Century,´ which is in the process of being built from below. Tomorrow, I am invited to give another interview on a local radio station to offer more of the same, which they appreciate very much because of its positiveness and internationalist support and solidarity. They quickly recognize that I am not a´¨cultural imperialist,´as aptly described by the American author, Michael Parenti, in his latest book, entitled, ´The Culture Struggle´,´which I quote from extensively in my discussions with the Venezuelans. My favourite quotation from Prof. Parenti, which they enjoy hearing is as follows;

Imperialism is the process of empire. It occurs when the dominant interests of one nation bring to bear their military and economic power upon another nation or region in order to expropriate its land, labor, capital, natural resources, and markets. During the course of conquest, the colonizers trample underfoot much of the indigenous people´s social fabric. The people lose not only their land but their way of life, their mores, historic lore, healing arts, music, myths, gods, shamans, and eventually even their language.¨ (page 48 & 49).

To be able to witness, first-hand, the pathological ramifications of all of the above, here in Lara State, is an opportunity of a life-time for me. I´m truly fortunate to be living with, and among, a once conquered people, who have much to teach us. I´m also beginning to be conscious of the wonderful similarities of Thomas Paine, the greatest revolutionary among the U.S. Founding Fathers, and Simon Bolivar and Hugo Chavez. These are, unquestionably, all men of the corazon.

The Venezuelans truly are making remarkable strides and, this past weekend I was able to witness, first-hand, real democracy in practise in a large farming community near Rio Tocuyo, where every member of the community, from 15 years of age, and beyond, exercised their constitutional right to elect a great number of representatives to their Communal Council, where all decisions are made collectively and openly; where all projects are planned, budgeted, and voted on before they are submitted to the national government for approval and, more importantly, for the funds to do the work. A massive water distribution project was recently implemented and constructed by this process and Hugo Chavez, et al, are determined that the poor rural communities receive their fair share of Venezuela´s vast reserves of oil-wealth, which was once the exclusive "right" of the oligarchs. Hundreds of quality houses for the homeless and poorly housed are also being build by the Communal Councils and given free to the deserving needy. It´s truly a remarkable process and truly a remarkable achievement, and the entire concept simply blows my mind.

Democracy in form - and in content! We in the west have democracy only in form, wherein purchased politicians are selected and then "elected" to govern over us like parents govern over children.

My activist professor friend, Jesus Rojas, recently received his beautifully simple and well constructed three-bedroom home, for his wife and two sons, without paying a penny. Incredible! That´s where I spent last weekend and where, in the same community, I visited a number of recently constructed homes; all built with the peoples´oil wealth, which is being given back to them in the form of a decent home to live in. Which other oil-rich nation is doing this?

I must run now, but I will tell more of this incredible story later.

In solidarity,

Your loving brother,

Thomas.