Holy...
Hundreds of Chavez supporters wearing red the color of Venezuela's ruling party gathered in the plaza, waving signs reading "Socialism is democracy," as lawmakers read out passages of the law giving the president special powers for 18 months to transform 11 broadly defined areas, including the economy, energy and defense.
The law also allows Chavez to dictate unspecified measures to transform state institutions; reform banking, tax, insurance and financial regulations; decide on security and defense matters such as gun regulations and military organization; and "adapt" legislation to ensure "the equal distribution of wealth" as part of a new "social and economic model."
And most "history repeating itself" again...
Chavez plans to reorganize regional territories and carry out reforms aimed at bringing "power to the people" through thousands of newly formed Communal Councils, in which Venezuelans will have a say on spending an increasing flow of state money on neighborhood projects from public housing to road repaving.
You mean...SOVIETS?! That's what they were! Communal councils, same stated purpose!