Seems you will clutch at any straw, Bill D, to press your prejudice.

On what basis do you call Chavez, elected and re-elected in open and fair elections, a dictator (your emphasis)? Here's a simple aide memoire which might help you avoid confusion: Pinochet (who was installed and supported by the US) was a dictator; Allende was a democrat. Or try this rule of thumb: if a head of state has US patronage, it's probably a dicator.

Chavez lifted millions out of poverty at the expense of corporate interests, the wealthy and the middle-class; the millions who previously were unable to afford three square meals a day, decent education and proper healthcare - just like millions in the US are still living their lives now. All that is indisputable. What is in dispute is whether it is OK for millions to be impoverished so that a few can be rich. You don't need to tell me where you stand on that, Bill.