Hugo Chavez Becoming a Dictator

CARACAS, Venezuela -- "Venezuela's National Assembly gave initial approval Thursday to a measure that would let President Hugo Chavez enact laws by decree for 1 1/2 years, a key step in what the leftist calls an accelerating march toward socialism.

The law is expected to easily win final approval next week by a legislature filled with Chavez allies. Among the laws planned by Chavez are moves to nationalize Venezuela's main telecommunications company and the electricity and natural gas sectors.

'This process is unstoppable,' lawmaker Juan Montenegro Nunez told the National Assembly. 'This process is a historic necessity.'

Emboldened by landslide re-election last month, Chavez said Wednesday night that he was seeking special powers to approve 'revolutionary laws' that would mean political, economic, social, national security and defense reforms." Read on....