President Trump is on the wrong track with Venezuela. Where is the Good Neighbor policy?
Today (August 28, 2017) we learn that the President has instituted sweeping financial sanctions on Venezuela that will prohibit financial institutions from providing new money to the government or its critical oil industry. These policies will only make the present dire circumstances in Venezuela all the worse for all of its citizenry. Why are we doing this? Why is Mr. Trump butting his nose into Venezuela's internal affairs when we have so many problems to solve here at home? The Venezuelans certainly pose no threat to us.
The ostensible reason for Mr. Trump's ire is that Venezuela is governed by a "socialist"---Mr. Maduro--whose socialist policies are making a terrible mess of that nation's economy. Maduro is considered a failed leader, and a socialist. But Mr. Trump is known to support vicious dictators, and terrible leaders in Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Egypt and elsewhere. What has he got against Mr. Maduro? Other than that leader has recently instituted a constitutional convention *perfectly legal) that may (or may not) give him dictatorial powers. Perhaps the Venezuelan move for governmental renewal is not such a bad idea (we need such a renewal too). But one must ask should Mr. Trump and his generals in DC be making decisions for the people of Venezuela>. Should the USA be deciding on what form of government Venezuela should have? One of the basic principles of the GOP( and of President Regain) was that "local government" is the best government. Is it not best to let the citizens of Venezuela and the leaders in Caracas decide what form of government is best for them?
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But is it simply Mr. Maduro;s socialism which is the perceived threat to the USA? Are we so fearful of Venezuela's not so successful socialism that we will pursue policies that will push that struggling nation into a failed state--with all the attendant problems of hardship, violence, economic collapse, impact on its neighbor states (and the USA), its displaced citizens, and perhaps massive movements of refugees? Of course--- all these conditions of a "failed state" are very familiar to our leaders in Washington DC. Sadly the foreign policies and wars of choice of the last several administrations (both Democrat and Republican) have generated chaos and failed states all across the Middle East. Does Mr. Trump want to create another failed state here in the Western Hemisphere too? Does he want his own failed state? Bush 43, and Obama each have several...perhaps Trump wants one too?
Rather that putting the pressure on Venezuela and creating chaos in South America should we not be looking to hold out our a hand of friendship to help that nation?
Let's wise up--butt our noses out--offer help. Let's not push Venezuela and millions of its innocent citizens over the cliff,
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