A dictator that knows how to steal an election, just one more reason why Chavez is Obama’s idol.
You let the people off too easily. The entire system is rigged to benefit Chavez, but it is likely a majority of Venezuelan's did in fact turn out and vote for him. The opposition, Capriles, conceded defeat.
Socialism is an addictive drug. It is probably most dangerous and most difficult to reverse when a population willingly chooses it. Venezuela is a client state now. The majority poor feel they rely on government at this point - and once that happens it is painfully difficult to get folks to vote against the government they feed off of. We are not so far behind here in the USA.