As someone born, raised and currently living in Venezuela, I can tell you that, yes, previously the elites ruled the country and created massive amounts of poor people.

But 40 years ago, someone like my father,who came from a very modest and tiny town in the east of the country managed to go to school, study and buy a house and a car with my mom who also came from modest upbringing.

They managed to buy an apartment with their salary and put my sister and I through school and college. And just like them, thousands of venezuelans had some hope to get ahead through work.

Right now, I'm an electrical engineer thanks to them and I could work my whole life and never be able to afford the tiniest house. I'm scraping by with less than $100 a month and I already make more money than most people.

Why do you think most young people here have plans or have left the country? Because they have ZERO hope of ever moving out of their parent's house or buying a car. That was not a reality before Chavez came to power.