Comments on: Chile’s Winds of Change: The Real Thing or The Most Discreet of Nudges http://www.coha.org/chile-winds-of-change/ COHA is an NGO specialized in monitoring Latin American and Canadian Relations for more than 30 years... Thu, 09 Feb 2012 04:41:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: ET http://www.coha.org/chile-winds-of-change/comment-page-1/#comment-35498 ET Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:51:43 +0000 http://www.coha.org/?p=7690#comment-35498 Love it EO! Love it EO!

]]> By: Andrés http://www.coha.org/chile-winds-of-change/comment-page-1/#comment-35497 Andrés Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:50:35 +0000 http://www.coha.org/?p=7690#comment-35497 This is a great article. It will be interesting to see what Mr. Piñera's does in his first few months. This is a great article. It will be interesting to see what Mr. Piñera's does in his first few months.

]]> By: B. Mackey http://www.coha.org/chile-winds-of-change/comment-page-1/#comment-35368 B. Mackey Mon, 18 Jan 2010 16:45:51 +0000 http://www.coha.org/?p=7690#comment-35368 Was interested to read Mr. Budinich's claim that Frei was a billionaire, I did some research and wasnt able to find him on any list of billionaires over the last ten years. Any chance you would like to let me know where you found this info? Moreover, not sure where in the article it claims that he isn't. Was interested to read Mr. Budinich's claim that Frei was a billionaire, I did some research and wasnt able to find him on any list of billionaires over the last ten years. Any chance you would like to let me know where you found this info? Moreover, not sure where in the article it claims that he isn't.

]]> By: El Cid http://www.coha.org/chile-winds-of-change/comment-page-1/#comment-35367 El Cid Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:43:18 +0000 http://www.coha.org/?p=7690#comment-35367 Look, even if you support a particular trend (like I do with the 'pink tide'), I mean, c'mon, be real -- people aren't going to keep voting the same way <i>forever</i>. In Chile the same political trend was in power for 20 years. At some point, people are going to vote differently. What I would like to believe is that since over the past 10 - 20 years (depending on where you look), much of South America has achieved the first real independence and population-oriented development in its history, that even the right will work largely work within those saner parameters. I don't see too many examples of forces wanting to go back to the prior status quo. Look, even if you support a particular trend (like I do with the 'pink tide'), I mean, c'mon, be real — people aren't going to keep voting the same way forever.

In Chile the same political trend was in power for 20 years. At some point, people are going to vote differently.

What I would like to believe is that since over the past 10 – 20 years (depending on where you look), much of South America has achieved the first real independence and population-oriented development in its history, that even the right will work largely work within those saner parameters. I don't see too many examples of forces wanting to go back to the prior status quo.

]]> By: M Wilson http://www.coha.org/chile-winds-of-change/comment-page-1/#comment-35350 M Wilson Sat, 16 Jan 2010 06:09:17 +0000 http://www.coha.org/?p=7690#comment-35350 Very informative article but I hope the fears about Mr. Piñera going back on his promises do not come true. It is very true that Chilean society is still very much divided over the issues relating back to the Pinochet era, but I see the pendulum of Chilean democracy from left to right as a positive thing. As you noted, Mr. Piñera appears to be catering to the other side of the political spectrum. If he indeed does win the runoff, and follows through with his campaign promises, I believe it will signal a growth of sorts as left and right become less entrenched. And you are very correct that part of La Concertación's base has been unhappy. I was able to witness the protests on the banks of the Mopocho River in Santiago's Bellavista during the early months of last year. These protesters were made up of Santiago’s poor, pleading for help with housing and unemployment. They had pinned up signs reading such things as "La Concertación is dead", etc. while living in tents and makeshift housing along the concrete banks. Very informative article but I hope the fears about Mr. Piñera going back on his promises do not come true. It is very true that Chilean society is still very much divided over the issues relating back to the Pinochet era, but I see the pendulum of Chilean democracy from left to right as a positive thing. As you noted, Mr. Piñera appears to be catering to the other side of the political spectrum. If he indeed does win the runoff, and follows through with his campaign promises, I believe it will signal a growth of sorts as left and right become less entrenched.

And you are very correct that part of La Concertación's base has been unhappy. I was able to witness the protests on the banks of the Mopocho River in Santiago's Bellavista during the early months of last year. These protesters were made up of Santiago’s poor, pleading for help with housing and unemployment. They had pinned up signs reading such things as "La Concertación is dead", etc. while living in tents and makeshift housing along the concrete banks.

]]>