Author: Reemberto@gmail.com

Still wowed by the awesome potential of these dysfunctional places.

They are so similar, yet so different. So close yet so far. So beautiful outside yet so much ugliness goes on inside. The cause of so much good. And the cause of so much deep hurt. The best of humankind. And the worst of humankind.

One comes from the chest pumping belief in their ‘exceptionalism’ and ‘manifest destiny’… The other comes from the fist pumping belief in their ‘new man’ and ‘proletariat revolution’.

One lives and dies on the mythology of capitalism… The other lives and dies on the mythology of communism.

In one the 5 percent covertly structures the system to self-benefit and perpetuate power… In the other 5 percent overtly structures the system to self-benefit and perpetuate power.

One touts its military might as Goliath in the name of world order… The other welcome others’ military might and flaunts it internationally in the name of world equity.

Both came to be by the genocide of native people and the enslavement of Africans… Perpetrated in one predominantly by Anglos; the other by Spaniards.

One survives in part by the exploitation of Latinos and keeping Blacks down… The other survives mostly by the exploitation of its own citizens.

Maybe someday somehow somewhen they will look past their self-conceited righteousness and ego trips and see that they are meant to be friends; that they are meant to be partners. They are meant to be supportive of each other.

They are interwoven in their inescapable past, the problematic present, and inevitable future. History has joined them at the hip – even if one outsizes the other. Today they are at odds – even as regular folks know best. And the future is bright – even as those in power persist otherwise.

Maybe someday they will move beyond their own dysfunction and identify the intersection of their self-interest… Maybe someday they will realize that more contact among their everyday people is a good thing for both… Maybe someday they will rekindle diplomacy based on mutual respect, mutual forgiveness, and shared experiences…

Maybe someday we’ll see the transformation of a relation that has been broken for way too long and has always meant to be positive, constructive, supportive, joyful, and celebratory… ¡Basta!

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Laser sharp focus. That is what it will take to beat Trump in 2020. A 2020 vision.

Keep the eye of the prize:

• Electing a Democratic President, House, and Senate to roll back the mean-spirited, economically biased, self-serving policies that Trump has instituted.

The damage is real. And it will take decades to fix the harm and hurt this four year failed Presidency will cause. But we have to start somewhere.

A clear vision – a 2020 vision – is necessary for the 2020 elections.

The talking heads are talking. The policy wonks are analyzing. The strategists are strategizing… And the vast majority of America may not care enough to take the time to go vote… And that is where we who care, have the time, energy, and inclination can make a difference.

• Forget about convincing people to change their minds… Enthuse people to change their hearts.
• Forget about blasting the personality of Trump… Emphasize the personal impacts of his policies.
• Forget about Fox News and the Alt-Right… Talk up our own channels and networks.
• Pursue not only massive mobilization… But also target smartly – particularly geographically (i.e.: Electoral College.)

And, most importantly: Unite, unite, unite… Here’s a possible 1-2-3 laser sharp focused punch:

[1] Encourage your favorite contender to take the Pledge

The fact that we may have as many as 30 people seeking the Democratic nomination for President should not be viewed as a negative. Rather, let’s commit to use those 30 organizations and political machines to get out the vote for whomever the nominee is.

The group Indivisible has created the novel idea of asking each Democratic contender for the Presidency to pledge to support the nominee. See https://pledge.indivisible.org/  What a wonderful, simple idea!

… just think about it: If each candidate takes – and acts – on the pledge we’ll have 30+ networks of volunteers, contributors, and committed folks already on the ground to give a final push and get the vote out in November 2020… The Pledge is simple:

• Make the primary constructive;
• Rally behind the winner; and,
• Do the work to beat Trump

… Beauty in simplicity.

Add to that the many issue-oriented groups that form the tapestry of Democratic ideals, including:

[2] Weave your Network

There are so many issue-oriented groups that know the damage being done by Trump to the issue they are passionate about. What if all these groups signed a similar pledge to support the nominee, wow!

It is the interests of these groups that when connected can weave the fabric of a new America. This issues deal with the essence of our survival as a people. These include:

• The environment
• Health care
• Immigration
• Peace
• Social equity
• A fair economy

And so many more

[3] Promote the idea that the nominee should commit to a coalition government

What if: What if the Democratic Nominee committed to include a majority of the good people that sought the nomination in her/his cabinet/appointees to form a truly coalition government… Can you imagine if before the general election the nominee would commit to appoint:

•  Secretary of HUD Castro,
• Office of Consumer Affairs Director Warren,
• Cities Initiatives Specialist Buttigieg or Booker,
• Attorney General Harris,
• Foreign Affairs Guru Biden,

on and on…

All of these mental calestenics of us that are engaged will be for naught unless we actively – and enthusiastically – remain positive and empathetic and relate our personal passion to individuals with whom we relate. Relationships are built on share experiences. And if we expect our friends, family, social networks, affinity groups, and people we bump into intentionally or by happenstance to vote vote vote, we have to be intentional in engaging in the conversation constructively and joyfully.

#RESIST #ENGAGE #RELATE #VOTE

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Every turn. Every decision. Everything this President says and does reflects his questionable character, his lack of moral compass, his duplicity, his true self.

They tell me the economy is doing so much better. I hear the stock market is up, unemployment down… So, am I supposed to jump for joy because of those economic gains and gloss over the depth of angst, the feeling of disgust, the lies and lies and lies of this man that is supposedly representing me as President of the United States?

As Trump honkers down and feels more comfortable in his role as the leader of a disconnected alliance of single issue constituents, we in the opposition are left with the feeling that he could very well repeat his victory dance. His single issue constituents include: The folks that simply will vote for anyone but Democrats; the anti-abortionists (sorry; I will not call them pro-life); the anti-immigration zealots; those that will take short term economic gains at all costs (and conveniently forget the deficit); the military might crowd; and of course, the White Power crowd who see the inevitable demographic changes coming but will go to any length to have a few more years of power. Trump has managed to give each of these constituent single-issue groups enough meat on the bones to please them into continuing to support him though many may be disgusted with his personal character.

In my personal  world of Cuba policy interest, he is simply gone extreme to the max. The latest news has Exxon suing the Cuban Oil Corporation for property expropriated in the early days of the Revolution in the early 60’s – nearly 60 years ago. Exxon is seizing the opportunity made possible by the new rules which allows companies to sue others benefitting from the nationalization of property by the Cuban government. At the same time, the Trump administration is going to bat for the opposition to the Venezuelan government, in hopes to secure Citgo’s assets in a post-Maduro government.

On the surface, this makes all the sense in the world: The U.S. is combating the evil of communism by economically strangling the Cuban and Venezuelan government. The Trump administration’s expectation is that the Cuban and Venezuelan people will rise up and demand the end of the inefficient, dictatorial, communist regimes that have ravaged Cuba and Venezuela… Fair enough.

Except. Except that to expect the Cuban people to rise against the Cuban government for the damage done to Exxon and other corporations and uber-wealthy families is not exactly and inviting approach. I don’t think you will find too many people in Cuba that will take to the streets with “Do Exxon Right” signs. Instead these measure are simply instilling a sense in the Cuban people that the motives of the U.S. government are not exactly in the interest of the Cuban people.

Add to that the historical suspicion that the Cuban government propaganda machine has been able to instill in the Cuban people regarding U.S. motives, and you get the resulting “no thank you” attitude the Cuban people are likely to exhibit. The Cuban people may be looking for more entrepreneurship opportunities, a more market driven economy, and the ability to leave – and return – to their Country. But, they are definitively not looking for a corporate invasion and rampant, unregulated capital infusion without accompanying social improvements. The Cuban people are not looking to change masters. They want to do away with masters.

Instead of encouraging Americans to go to Cuba to directly help the Cuban people – not unlike what is happening in Vietnam – the Trump Administration is making it more difficult to infuse Cuba people with personal capital. This will lead to a more struggling economy. And – most critical – the current Trump Administration will leave the Cuban government no option but to turn to Iran for oil, China for infrastructure, and Russia for defense… Can you blame them?!? (Putin could not have devised a more perfect plan to get Cuba back into his orbit.)

All the while the improvised Cuban people will continue turning to the ‘paquete’ (digital hard drives) from Miami for entertainment, they will continue minimal subsistence thanks to the remittance from family in the U.S., and the holy-hellish agreement with the Church will continue providing minimal care for children and elderly… Cuba will continue withering away, with the military getting richer and living the high life in the Iran/Russia sphere; some will artists playing both sides of the Florida Straits appeasing some on both sides; and the vast majority of Cubans will continue ‘resolviendo’ (making do) – and dreaming of exiting someday somehow… Can you blame them?!?

Yet, the calculus of the Trump administration seems to be very simple. Clearly, they don’t give a rats ass about the Cuban people… All they care about is: Will their new Cuba policy get them votes in Florida in 2020? That is their single short term calculus… Nada mas.

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Putin wins. Again. (A critique of the new misguided Cuba policy.)

Think about it. If you were to concoct a plan to make super-duper sure that Cuba returns to the Russian sphere, what better way than to solidify U.S. as the enemy?

What President Trump and his cronies – including the Florida fools – are doing with Cuba is painful and sad to watch. He is giving Cuba back to Russia. Nada mas.

Quick summary: The Trump administration is enforcing an internationally questionable – and never before enforced – part of the infamous Helms*-Burton Act. (For the young ones: Jesse Helms was a South Carolina Senator who was an admitted racist.) Title 3 of the Act basically gives American citizens the right to sue the users of property confiscated by Castro and his cronies in the early days of the Revolution.

Clarification: The Act does not apply to residential property or governments; only corporate business interest. Clarification too: Given international law, only corporate assets in the U.S. can be seized. This means that Russia cannot be sued for their use of land previously owned by American corporations in Cuba where they built their failed nuclear plants. This means China cannot be sued for building infrastructure in Cuba in property previously owned by American Corporation. Additionally, companies that have no assets in the U.S. cannot be sued. However, our friends’ developments in Cuba (i.e.: Spain, France, and Canada) can certainly be sued… Talk about a nice plan to screw your friends, create chaos, and help Russia! Wow. Brilliant.

And then there are the other two specific ways that Trump is ‘putting the squeeze’ on Cuba: Limit remittances and scale back who can travel to Cuba.

Today there is no limit to the remittances relatives can send Cuba family in the Island. Folk have been able to support their ‘familia’ back home during the past few years by providing for everything from kitchen sinks to money for essentials… Moving forward, no more – or at least, much less.

Today, many Americans travel to Cuba, most with the sincere intention of helping the Cuban people (though inevitably having to shore up the government there in some ways.) Visiting Cuba is like going to a plantation to hang out with the slaves. You can do only what the masters let you do. But still, the slaves welcome your visit and thank you for it… Moving forward, no more – or at least, much less.

Talk about a nice plan to hurt the Cuban people and create anger at the U.S. – just like Russia would want it! Wow. Brilliant.

Any expectation that these draconian measures are going to make the Cuban people rise up and revolt against the Revolution is pure fantasy. Purely idiotic. Pure insanity… It is what was done for 50+ years. And it did not work. Now we are going to revert back to that?

This will help no one – except of course, the Russians. The Cuban government is left with no choice but to welcome them back in full force. The Trump administration’s strong arm tactics leave the Cuban government no alternative but to welcome Russia back into Cuba with open arms… Just like Putin ordered. Than you Trump.

It is so sad to see the Cuban exile community in Miami – particularly our elders – being played as pawns in this ‘game’. It is so sad to see them – many in their 70s and 80s – applaud this Trojan Horse of a policy. It is so sad to see them gullibly swallow the false narrative that Obama’s policy let to Cuba strengthening Venezuela… It is all so sad.

… All we can do at this point is count on the bureaucratic incompetence of this Administration and play them with their own rules… And continue making plans and meandering to the bureaucracy to continue going to Cuba. Don’t let the fools in this Administration scare you into reconsidering. The Cuban people need us to go.

And, lest we forget: This nightmare can end in 18 months. This nightmare can end in November of 2020. This nightmare can end by voting these fools out of office. #RESIST

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Trump may or may not be a criminal. That changes little.

Trump may or may not be a criminal. He is still – in the clear opinion of a small majority of Americans – not a good President. Some 40% – plus or minus – of Americans still are there with him, and fully at least 1/3 will be with him regardless… What does this mean?

There is general consensus that the man is a boisterous, amoral (at best), lies, and is a womanizing sexist, self-centered individual. There is no doubt the guy surrounds himself with shady characters, engages in questionable business practices, and is purely transactional in his relationships. He seems to have little if any capacity to show authentic empathy. And he clearly simply does not care about those that don’t like him; and therefore has no interest whatsoever in placating them or showing that he cares for them.

Yet he was able to build a real-estate empire out of his inheritance. He clearly cares for his adult and young children. He knows how to read raw visceral public sentiment. He is an entertaining entertainer. He is clear and definitive in some things, unbending in others, and compromising in few.

He has shattered political correctness. He has shattered diplomatic protocols. He has totally thrown conventional wisdom out the window.

He clearly has not patience for complexity, critical thinking, or analysis. He clearly sees data as a fungible thing, science as optional, and reason as dispensable.

And 1/3 of America will be with him regardless. Nearly ½ are willing to look the other way for his personal indiscretions and public shenanigans.

His political positions are very, unequivocally clear. Paraphrasing him: “America is the biggest power in the world. We care first and foremost about ourselves. We don’t need to protect everyone around the globe. The government exists to facilitate economic transactions that benefit the wealthy. Regulations are bad. Tax breaks are good. Primary constituent beneficiaries need to be only those that voted for the President; no one else matters.”

His political strategy is equally simple – in many ways brilliantly simple. Politically – he seems to think – the simple minds of ultra conservatives – or single issue – voters can be easily exploited by throwing bones are them:

• Want the racist vote? Wink at their love of the Confederacy, demean minorities, build a wall.
• Want the Christian Right vote? Be against Roe, support school vouchers, damn Planned Parenthood, dis gays and trans.
• Want the military vote? Make sure there’s always a boogie man to fight; buy bigger weapons.
• Want the uninformed vote? Build a wall, make the media the enemy of the State, make Fox News a propaganda channel for the President.

His foreign policy is crystal clear: He is willing to deal with anyone – his only demand is they like him; Saudi Arabia comes to mind.  He has no ideological enemies – his only enemies are the people that don’t like him; Iran comes to mind.

So, whatever the Mueller report says or does not say it does not change the essential of the moment:

We have a President that has no moral beacon. He has no ideology. He will do what it takes to get elected, to stay in office, to get re-elected. And, he has a political Party that is now 90% behind him.

The only way to legitimately get rid of Trump – and to turn back the damage he is doing – is to confront his political actions – his agenda – loudly and resoundly… And, vote him out of office in 2020. Period. The end. Nada mas. #RESIST

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These are trying times indeed.

All the debate, talking-heads conversations, family squabbles, and bar room brawls no longer matter. Regardless of what the Mueller report says, 40% of Americans are withTrump.

Truth is no longer absolute. Not even for the moment. Not even if we frame it in ‘as we know it’ context.

Relativism is now perverted to mean everyone’s opinion is equally valid, regardless of how that opinion was formed.

Changing your mind, shifting position, accepting we were wrong is no longer something acceptable.

Discernment, critical thinking, and deep analysis are dismissed as self-righteous, pompous, and conceited.

And so is our new world where public discourse, civic dialogue, and sensible conversations are things of the past – things of a bygone era for which we no longer have time.

So we are left with headlines, instant information, too much information, and inability – and unwillingness – to reflect, look beyond, consider consequences, or care about anything else other than ‘what I know ’. Because ‘what I know’ has become ‘what it is’…

…And please don’t bother me with your biased facts and information. They will not change my mind.

Also, don’t bother me with new data. I don’t want to know.

Knowledge has become passé.

We have yet to find the words to express this new paradigm. So we are stuck with using old words and phrases – old arguments and tired expressions – to try to convey this new reality. A reality that we ourselves don’t yet understand.

Therefore, we have no choice but to cling on to the last hope of an imperfect process; an imperfect system; a system abused by those in power; a system we know is biased; a system we know falls way short of what should be. Yet we must participate. We must VOTE!

The craziness of the Democratic Party primary has begun. Some candidates turn to silly tricks (offering to donate to charity when you contribute, or riding a skateboard to relate to you) and others try to show off their policy knowledge by talking at a level understood only by policy wonks. Some exalt their experience while others exalt their lack thereof. Most pander to the mad left – or at least wink at it – while none dare stick to the middle or worse yet spouse some of the virtue of conservatism.  We run the risk of creating firing squad circle, discrediting each other beyond repair.

Yet, it is through this chaotic, meandering, wasteful, insane process that we will end up with a Democratic candidate that will stand up to Trump.

Let there be no mistake about it: Any of the 26 (or is it 62 now?) people running to be the Democratic Party candidate for President in 2020 has my vote. Any of them – any of them! – will be better for the wellbeing of the people that live in the USA, better for the Nation as a whole, and better for the world as a community than Trump… So: Pick your favorite. Talk her/him up. Advance her/his ideas… But please: Once the (imperfect) decision is made as to who the Democratic Party nominee is, let’s come together to end this madness masquerading as a presidency we now have under Donald J. Trump.

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Of Vietnam, Cuba, and Trump

I see President Trump is meeting with a totalitarian leader from a country has threatened the U.S., its people are starving, and are lacking the basic necessities of life. Trump is meeting that leader at another country where socialism and communism are enshrine in their recently adopted constitution.

No, I am not talking about Venezuela and Cuba, of course. I am talking about North Korea and Vietnam.

Trump is actually praising Vietnam, suggesting to North Korea to follow their model. Think about that. Let it sink in. Could you imagine Trump visiting Cuba and suggesting to Venezuela to follow Cuba’s model?!?

Vietnam, a country where tens of thousands of Americans less than 50 years ago fought in a failed, lost war… Vietnam, a self-proclaimed, practicing communist country. A country with little freedom, a centrally controlled economic system, and government control of most means of information… A country, in other words, much like Cuba.

Yet the U.S. has no problem having American companies there. The U.S. has no problem having people visit there. The U.S. has no problem lauding its successes.

The naysayers will tell you: “The difference is Vietnam never expropriated American properties.” Fair enough. And Cuba never killed over 50,000 Americans… What is more important?!? Hmmm…

Few in the U.S. blinked an eye when President Clinton re-established diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Many in the U.S. shivered when President Obama re-established diplomatic relations with Cuba.

To this day, many are dead set against removing the archaic embargo the U.S. has against Cuba. An embargo that is used by the Cuban government as an excuse to be on guard for an “imperialistic invasion.”

And then there is Venezuela… If only I could believe that Trump’s interest is the Venezuelan people! Yeah, right. Trump’s interest is Venezuela’s oil.

Cuba is no Venezuela. It is an island. Its people cannot so easily flee. Aid cannot so easily be brought in… And, most importantly, for anyone wishing for a Cuban uprising, forget it. Many in Cuba are skeptical of any substantive change that would bring to power expats who clamor for unregulated capitalism. Many Cubans are skeptical of the inevitable inequalities that drastic changes would accentuate, including  the loss of (albeit non-existing) government health care and education, and the perceived sense of personal safety – even though this is so at the cost of personal freedom of expression and a result of draconian gun control laws that keeps guns exclusively in the hands of the military.

Never mind that there are many Cubans of good will – inside and outside the island – that would welcome substantive structural changes to decentralize the economy, rid the country of the enslavement of the two currency system so Cuba could rejoin the World Bank and IMF, and institutionalizing diversity of thoughts in a functioning civil society – something non-existant in today’s Cuba. However, the fear of the unknown and the chaos that an abrupt transition may bring keeps Cuba inching along the path of liberalization rather than galloping to economic and political diversity… And that fear is instilled and promogated in a big way by the Trump administration and Marco Rubio… And, the Cuban government uses that fear to their advantage as they keep a tight control on the Cuban people, manipulating and staging the results of supposedly democratic constitutional reforms – which is turning out to be yet another sham of a failed Revolution.

Of course, lifting the embargo would help – tremendously. And it would also help if the Cuban government was not so intransigent, and so insistent in protecting its power base at the cost of any meaningful progress.

Yet, if Trump was to take the same tact he is seemingly taking with Vietnam with Cuba, things would be oh so very different… So, tell me again, why is he not doing so?

Could it be that Trump refuses to take a different tact with Cuba because the politics of Florida? Could it be that his insistence that the U.S. be firm and strong against Cuba is simply a political ploy for votes? Could it be it is all about politics, not about what is good for the people of Cuba?

Of course it is! This man Trump has no capacity to do anything other than what is exclusively in his self-interest. This means a non-negotiable NO to lifting the Cuban embargo, removing travel restrictions, or negotiating in good faith the thorny issue of corporate and personal assets stolen by the Cuban government in the early days of the Revolution – nearly 60 years ago.

So things inch along – sometimes taking one step forward and two steps backward –  waiting for a change in administration here and the death of the remaining (Raul) Castro there…

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Declaring a national emergency to build a piece of wall at the U.S./Mexico border is simply indefensible.

• First, to understand – in generalities – the numbers:
• One billion equals one thousand millions.
• 1B=1,000M
• A billion has 9 zeros. 1,000,000,000

To build a 4 lane highway is costs about 5-10M / mile – about the same as for Trump’s wall. Trump wants approximately $5B.

… not that there’s anything wrong with the idea of securing the border by undertaking a massive infrastructure project. Except. Except we have choices to make. Everyone is in favor of border security. And most folks understand that public infrastructure expense is generally a good idea.

But, specifics matter. Process matters.

Public policy is not as simple as choosing between ‘guns or butter’ or ‘law and order or fairness and equity’… Life is complicated. Collective decision making – democracy – is messy… Yet, sometimes simple examples and comparisons may help.

What else can $5B in infrastructure get you? Take your pick – or a combination of:

• 5,000 rural community centers
• 50,000 affordably priced apartments.
• 100,000 opioid treatment centers
• 1,000,000 internet ready classrooms
• 5,000,000 safe crosswalks
• 10,000,000 phones for the homeless

Every year, somewhere between 30,000 and 60,000 people in the U.S. die each from:

• Overdose
• Gun violence
• Car accidents

That’s over 100,000 people dead. Every year. Could you imagine how many of these deaths could be avoided if $5B was dedicated to addressing these issues?

On and on and on… Statistics can only take us so far….

… just think: Future Presidents will be tempted to use “national emergencies” to address any of the above data points. They will all have credible rationale to justify going around the power of Congress to do it. Now they will have a precedent to declare a “national emergency” for political purposes.

If the the illogical, strong-man, near-dictatorial behaviour of this President does not bother you, then there’s nothing much we can talk about… There’s so very little ‘common ground’ or ‘intersecting agenda’.

Welcome to the new U.S.A.

#RESIST

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Oh my. Just had a thought. Just a thought, mind you. Nothing more… Are you listening, Nancy?

The European Union, Brazil, and the U.S. – among many other nations – are supporting Juan Guaido, the duly and indisputably rightfully elected representative of the directly elected (i.e.: as in he/she who gets the most votes wins the election) representatives in Venezuela, as he claims the office of the Presidency because Venezuelan President Maduro rose to power through a
> rigged election,
> has caused havoc in the business of governance,
> is de-stabilizing democratic institutions,
> has surrounded himself with criminal elements, and
> is a puppet of a foreign county…

Hmmm, are you listening Nancy?

What I don’t quite understand – what I have yet to figure out – is why Putin is allowing Trump to show support for Venezuela… (Though it is becoming clearer; read on.) Unless of course, they are doing this to show to the world that Trump is not Putin’s puppet… Or, is this a diversion from their end game, total destabilization of the US to the point of submission?

Remember that Russia plays the long game. Theirs is one of empire building through military might and power. The US plays the much shorter game of immediate economic profits for the uber rich so they can enjoy it today, damn tomorrow.

In Russia’s eyes a weakened US from the perspective of perceived aspirational power is a clear battle win – not the end of the war, but certainly a battle that must be won. That is, Russia wins when the US is no longer looked at as the beacon of democratic hope; when aspiring people throughout the world discard the US theoretical democratic model as a model for governance, and instead turn to the simplistic personality driven strong man model.

These strong man model of governance are much easier to control than democracies where power is shared in different branches of government, dissent is allowed, and an independent judiciary is truly independent. These strong men are more willing to join the international mafia that is Russia. Democracies are messy and much more difficult to buy than single nations governed by strong man, troikas, or uber rich families… However, like what is going on with Venezuela, democracies must be supported – but only to lure the masses to think that you care.

As nations throughout the world turn to the strong man model of governance, in many ways thanks to Russia’s intentional destabilization whether through military power (Syria) or more savvy technological warfare that requires not a single shot (rigging elections in US and Brittan), Russia gets closer and closer to their end game, winning the war.

Is there any doubt that the Venezuelan crisis will be solved only when if and how Russia wants it to? This has nothing to do with democracy. This has nothing to do with the Venezuelan people. This has everything to do with how Putin wants to divvy up the oil fields of Venezuela. To the extent that he needs international American companies to do his dirty work, he will instruct Trump to do his bidding. To the extent Putin decides to go at it alone, Trump will of course abide.

Getting rid of Maduro has nothing to do with his socialist bent. It has everything to do with his ineptness in ensuring the efficiencies of the oil industry. He us being fired because his boss (Putin) is allowing him to be fired. And Putin is using his puppet, Trump, to do the firing. Nada mas.

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A useful idiot or a Russian spy?

Either way, the man is the real “enemy of the State.”

Remember when we would call him “Putin’s Puppet” and folks would dismiss us as radical wackos?

Well, here we are. The cat is out of the bag. The FBI – the FBI; let that sink in! – at one point considered the President of the United States an agent of a foreign country. Either this allegation is indisputably dismissed or we are in catastrophic times… And this is saying nothing of the Mueller investigation which has yet to conclude.

Trump’s consistent and unequivocal nod to Putin coupled with his seemingly hell-bent efforts to discredit every major American institution and the intentional disruption of traditional governance structures is clear proof he is not about making America great again but rather making Donald Trump an international mafioso.

Does any doubt remain that this man has no interest whatsoever in working for the common person, advancing social good, or even creating an economy that works for most people? Can anyone doubt that this man has no inclination to bring the country together or be President for anyone other than those who see him as a saviour for the dwindling white nationalists, those who are exclusively interested in the single issues of anti-abortion, judicial power, and wealth welfare for the uber rich – or those that hate Obama?

Let’s keep the eye on the prize. This man has to be made totally ineffective. We have to find ways to work around him. And he has to be out of there as soon as practical – but certainly no later than November 2020. He may have his cronies that will go to all lengths to use him for their self interest. There will always be that third of America welcoming a “strong man that tells it like it is” – though he is obviouly playing them to a hilt. And, there will always be those more afraid of change and the Democrats than whatever totalitarian and authoritative measures he may take – including possibly publicly aligning himself with Putin and Russia.

But, these cronies, frightened electorate, and supporters of a dictatorship know that there is one irrevocable power we have: The vote.

In the days, weeks, and months to come expect more draconian, outlandish – and illegal – acts by Trump. He is in desperation mode. Putin is pulling all the strings so tight that he may choke… But only so Pence can come in and look like the clean knight in a shining armor. And run in 2020… Stay tuned.

(I did write something that foreshadowed this a while back, “Putin’s Puppet“.)

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