Politically: If you can't stand the heat, get out of La Paz

I don't give La Paz much time before we see some re-occurances of last year. Right now things are relatively peaceful and out of the news, but not for long. Here's the current, Bolivian, political climate: Cool, but heating up rapidly....soon to be REALLY HOT.

There are some different scenarios that could take place during the elections in December. The worst and most detrimental would be that there are no elections (which seems to still be an outside possibility). The current interim president would quit because he doesn't want to do it any longer, and Bolivia would be president-less. In that case, people would be upset, flying off the handle actually, throwing dynamite and rocks, setting up blockades, and spanking taxi trivers. The police would try to ease the tension with the use of rubber bullets and tear gas.

IF the elections take place, it looks like it's between one of three guys. The first, and most popular right now (at about 30% of the population), is Evo Morales. Evo is backed by funding from other socialists that we all know, Fidel Castro (Cuba) and Chavez (Venezuela). My entire church in El Alto is voting for Evo Morales because he is "for the poor people". The second guy is Tuto, who is a smart democratic politician, who holds about 28% of the populaton. The last guy is named Samuel, and he is supposed to be really "suave". My spanish professor told me that he could walk into a Burger King, and talk the workers into giving him 3 hamburgers for the price of 1.

SO WHO WILL WIN?
Nobody knows. Not even the taxi drivers, and that is SAYING something. The reason is that in order to become president, the candidate needs a majority vote, and it looks highly doubtful that that will happen. If no one gets a majority, the the decision goes to the parliament.

Even though nobody knows WHO is going to win, everyone knows WHAT is going to happen if certain people win. Want to hear? Good. If Evo (the socialist) wins, the country will be temporarily peaceful. The long term effects on his presidency could be things such as the legalization of Cocaine, and the nationalization of the national resources. If Tuto or Samuel wins, the country of Bolivia shuts down in December and January (maybe longer), due to violent demostrations by the campesinos and whoever else wanted Evo in office.

I've decided to root for Evo. I know that socialism doesn't have the greatest track record, but neither does democracy in Bolivia. We have had more presidents, and more military coups, than years of freedom. It's time for a change.

IN OTHER NEWS
I'm meeting with a guy name Hugo this Thursday who is interested in the Mountaineering Club that I've started. He is a doctor, and owner of a huge climbing organization here in La Paz. He wants to discuss prices for students, and trips that we are wanting to take later on this year. It looks like this company can be really good for the club (price-wise), and the students can be really good for the company.

Stay in Prayer for the countries political crisis, and the meeting I have this Thursday with Hugo.