Equador's Symbol for Change

President Rafael Correa, a 45 year old US trained economist, is introducing a 444-article plan for the future to his country of Ecuador. Some of the most contraversal are

• The state to tighten control of vital industries such as oil, mining and telecommunications and reduce monopolies
• Some foreign loans to be declared illegitimate, which could allow the government to stop debt repayments
• The state allowed to expropriate and redistribute idle farm land and ban large land-holdings
• The president allowed to stand for a second four-year term in office
• Free health care for older citizens
• Civil marriage for gay partner

He is very popular amongst the lower income and indigenous communities. The problem with that is most of the people who's support he needs are already too disenfranchised with the political system they might not even vote. His objectors come from business owners who are worried about their investments. Some say with this the president will have too much power, others say he is just a puppet of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez. This fight for the middle class versus the elite is definitely analogous to the presidential campaign now.