Russian mercenaries reportedly in Venezuela to protect Maduro

Yes I know that. There is still the very smallest possibility that we can avoid this but that requires the whole world being prepared to put aside everything else and work for it and that is going to require a massive change in how we live. No time for wars. Out survival if we have any intelligence should be our Number one priority.

 

If economics is the greatest trajectory of true force, then I'm looking forward to the day when the accrued national indebtedness of $22 trillion (and growing faster than I can read) eventually meets that Romanesque economic implosion you reference.

Perhaps you should now consider rehearsing some of the following statements for that inevitable day to come:

"We will not have any more crashes in our time."
- John Maynard Keynes in 1927 [NB: The authenticity of this one is a little suspect]

"I cannot help but raise a dissenting voice to statements that we are living in a fool's paradise, and that prosperity in this country must necessarily diminish and recede in the near future."
- E. H. H. Simmons, President, New York Stock Exchange, January 12, 1928

"There will be no interruption of our permanent prosperity."
- Myron E. Forbes, President, Pierce Arrow Motor Car Co., January 12, 1928

And my favourite:

"There may be a recession in stock prices, but not anything in the nature of a crash."
- Irving Fisher, leading U.S. economist, New York Times, Sept. 5, 1929

Hubris and ingrained myopia to the fore...

 

You mean like the Bay of Pigs?

 

Russia protect some others "sovereignty"?? Bit of a misnomer, ya think? Tell that to ukraine, Georgia, .

Wagner's are there for their own interests....VZ peoples plight be damned.

Are the Muscovites prepared to go to war in USAs backyard,lol?

Hypocrisy doesnt begin to describe?? Russkis wrote the book on hypocrisy)!

 

We don't have troops defending butchering dictators. Our people are fighting terrorists and, yes, protecting sovereignty by helping defend or establish democratic rule in a given country.

Would you cheer the US for taking the side of Assad or Maduro? Or would you complain now just as you always do about the US? But because you perceive Russia as doing the same thing (which, I remind you, you say is wrong), it's entirely good and justified. As long as Russia playing off of us as a foil, they can do no wrong, right?

 

The opportunity to go after Assad was lost long ago. The red line was a fantasy.

The opportunity is fresh in Venezuela and should be taken.

 

It won't work as long as we keep pussyfooting around Russia. That is a grave tactical and long-term strategic error. They've taken to casting us as a villain and casting themselves as an underdog but powerful force -- a veritable bogatyr -- standing up to us and stopping our alleged evil, all in perfect harmony with the scads of fake news and disinformation online. We have been crippled first by an idiot with no head for these matters, and now by a kompromat with no head for anything beyond covering his own behind.

 

Gotta try hard to know if you can make it or not. Do whatever it takes to win this political battle in Venezuela.

 

I'm more pessimistic than you, I think it's time to create semi-autarcic communities, learning methods like permaculture and other kind of things enabling you to be indenpendant from the consumption society. Despite knowing that, I don't manage to do it myself.

 

And this is actually the best argument against US Democracy. One of the reasons we have not been able to avoid the crashes, and to properly maintain the ebb and flow of finances has been the "back and forth" pendulum of politicians, very few of whom have any financial intelligence. Look at the proposals from Warren and the others. And when they have some good ideas, they use taxation which will inevitably reduce gains and just pile up the deficit further. You can tell that not a single ONE of them took finances as a major.

If we're to speak purely on the Financial State of the US, then to show my financial strategy I want to make this radical pronouncement: We do not need taxes anymore in the US economy. At all, period. Taxation, historically was to control the dollars in circulation. But our economy keeps growing, and growing. We have a 4 Trillion budget today, I think it'll be 16 trillion in 5 years.

All taxes do, is keep money from growing the private sector and just going straight to Washington DC. Today, we need to take advantage of our ability to grow and maintain the economy through a continual growth process. This might sound like Kenyesian, but there's a radically different approach.

Rather than stimulating our corporations and our businesses, or believing that stimulating the federal government(who is the furthest thing from a financial actor), we need to unlock the potential of our US Citizens who are the biggest movers in the financial economy. Credit Card Debt, Student Loan debt, etc. These black holes are the biggest threat to the American economies. And there's not a tax system alive that can alter this reality.

Until Democrats and Republicans wake up to the reality that we've grown too big and too successful, they're going to continue to tug at a lever that only weakens the American Economy, it doesn't strengthen it. What the Federal Government should do, and what it must do is to liquidate all of the student/credit card debt. And it actually won't be too much of a shock to the system.

Because colleges/credit card companies make up very little GDP production. Liquidating the debts owned here will not result in a financial crash, but will result in lifting a very heavy burden on tens of millions of US Citizens. Also, the liquidation(read: bailout) will also stabilize these organizations as well, who honestly are looking for the money.

Once we've successfully liquidated the money, we have to move to the next step. The most important step in my financial revolution: The greatest class mobilization the world has ever seen. No more rags and riches. No more poverty class. Not only will we increase those tech jobs/training opportunities, we will also increase the financial intelligence of our citizens.

Why have one Warren Buffet, when we can have 20, or 30 or more such educated people? Think hundreds, or thousands of US Citizens? By increasing the financial intelligence of the average population, as well as encouraging savings to begin long-term capital investments, we will truly make the US a real capitalist country. Right now, it's more of an oligarchy. Money in the hands of the few.

But Money in the hands of the many? With the Financial intelligence to make even more money? This is the kind of radical approach to get back to the 90's. To get back to the 60's. Right now, we have 80% workers/20% Entrepreneurs. I want to make it 60% Entrepreneurs/40% Workers. We're going to go heavy on the industrial/financial market side and less so on the supply side. We have ample supply and will be able to make more. We have no need to continue making supplies(manual labor) in a financial/entrepreneurial economy.

The result of job creators making new jobs, and the result of job openings/advancements for the workers who remain, will be the largest explosion of the US market ever. Because it doesn't involve Wall Street or taxes. It revolves maximizing the power of the US buyer and maximizing the power of American citizens.

This is why it was okay to reduce the corporate tax rate from highest in the world, to modernizing it along with everyone else(15%, but the US corporate tax rate now is 23%. A fair enough compromise.). However, the financial budget didn't go anywhere near far enough. Little attention was paid to the private market, and even lesser attention paid to the idea of stimulating said private market.

However, juxtapose to the idea of Financial Empowerment, we must do something else. Something Conservatives will love: Take down Big Government. Or more appropriately: Control US Government spending.

The next biggest black hole in the American Economy and the real reason taxation is what it is, is the inefficient, out of control and incompetent federal government. And I don't mean Donald Trump. I mean over the course of the last 35-40 years. Suffice to say, I disagree about everything and every direction we've taken, post-WW2 economically. See, in response to the Great Depression, Roosevelt had launched his "New Deal", which is the most ineffective financial engine in modern US History. If we notice something about federal government programs, it takes money OUT of circulation only in an attempt to 'repay' it later. But you don't see a single financial person of wealth doing this. That's because they're not idiots.

The Federal Government cannot invest in anything. It cannot produce anything in the market. It cannot consume, consumable goods. All the Federal Government can do is provide aid via the food assistance. And even when it comes to the monetary aid(SSI, among other things) the biggest problem(and it was talked about back then in the 60's as well) is that the population was growing, but the funds for these programs were not.

(And STILL aren't, in the next 20-30 years if we don't do something, these programs risk financial insolvency.) The Framers never had the belief that the federal government could be a financial buyer. World government debts is because in 'Westernization', more and more countries decided to follow along this silly path.

The only reason Roosevelts "New Deal" ever saw a tinge of success, is when the war was finally over and the devastation/lack of monetary goods meant that a financial expansion was needed and inevitable. But it most certainly wasn't created by making the government a financial backer that had no financial means of its own. It was created by luck. If there's no WW2, we're probably the next Weimar Republic in the 50's/60's.

Then because Liberals wanted to expand the programs, but conservatives wanted to redirect funding towards military programs(and now pensions), this is why we're in the crisis we're in today.

The solution is going to be simple, painful but effective: Start unloading the backlogs. Pay the pensions/medicare according to top priority and get them off the payroll. The fewer people we have to pay, the more money we'll save and the more money that can actually be given to those who remain on the program.

Under my financial strategy, the self-sustaining State will have fewer and fewer long-term debts because people are productive. Also, people's personal retirements are superior to a 401(K). If our attempt to make them entrepreneurs is a huge success then the amount of government assistance for even senior citizens should decrease with time.

With the freed up money, we will indeed put more of it to our infrastructure, public transportation and roads. As well as Education. We'll look to continue our aggressive financial approach to put the next generation in the right position to continue to grow the economy.

And with all of this stimulating money, the military aid will take care of itself. The Military, nor the government can make money so they should be the last in priorities when it comes to financial allocation of resources.

So, finally, what would I do about taxes? The day will come when we do cancel them completely, but to phase to that moment I want to introduce a Flat Tax of 20%. I firmly believe that a Flat Tax is a far more effective system, fairer to everyone and will therefore save money in the long run.

 

Perhaps a clarification is in order. This looks like the reemergence of war by proxy, as in the Cold War days, when both sides deployed their mercenaries in third world countries. Vietnam started like that, but it went out of control as we all know.

My attitude has always been, that I can't control what Russia or China does. What I am responsible for is the policies of MY country, America. It is my opinion that the majority of American foreign policy over the last 100 years has been less than effective, or worse. Actions being considered against Venezuela will fare no better. This isn't Rwanda. We should stay out of it.

 

Again with this mysterious "we" pronoun, as if you have anything to do with how the US government implements its foreign policy.

Anyway, it's a well-known fact that the US government props up Saudi Arabia, which is one of the most regressive dictatorships on the planet.

Given this, your attempt to absolve the US government of defending "butchering dictators" is a tad quixotic, don't you think?

Try telling that to the people in Vietnam and Iraq.

Of course I would not. I have made it exceedingly clear the entire time I've been a member of this forum that I favor armed NEUTRALITY in foreign affairs. Just like George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, etc.

I complain when the US government behaves corruptly, deceitfully, tyrannically, aggressively, etc.

It's not my fault the vast majority of its behavior in recent times fits that description.

Apparently, your idea of patriotism entails mindless obedience to arbitrary authority.

I have a different view.

I merely pointed out the unbelievable hypocrisy of US apologists who criticize Russia for allegedly sending mercenaries to Venezuela.

The US deploys its mercenaries and soldiers and spies to almost every corner of the globe.

And within the past two decades, the US has destroyed AT LEAST two countries (Iraq and Libya) who never posed even the slightest actual threat to America.

The world is sick and tired of listening to US imperialists mount their soapboxes in order to hypocritically and pretentiously condemn the actions of other countries.

 

He tried to do what he has every right to do after your country has brought his people to the brink of starvation. The UK keeping the Gold that belongs to the people of Venezuela is the thief.

 

Maduro has no right to the gold that belongs to the people of Venezuela, and... it was remarkable timing for him to be attempting such a withdrawal, especially if he were concerned about feeding the people of Venezuela. Innit?

 

He is the President of Venezuela. The UK did not let him have his, Venezuela's, Gold to please your country. I do not know where you are at on this. I have noticed recently that you just seem to believe everything your government says. Are you aware that for instance the Iraq war was fought on a fraud? Why do you believe everything Trump and his friends say? Are you aware that the man who the US has put in charge of dealing with Venezuela whose name I have forgotten is the very same man who arranged death squads in Nicaragua and Honduras. Your country is no longer a supporter of democracy. The election which Maduro won last year was judged fair and free and had International Observers who said so including some from Europe, Spain at least. Venezuela invited both the UN and the EU to come and be Observers but they said no. The Opposition had decided to boycott the election because it knew it would not win and asked that this be so. No doubt the US arranged this. How the US and other Western countries are acting is tyrannical and totally opposed to Democracy. I hear that in the US papers are filled with Hogwash about this and always are. I know you would not agree with it if you knew what was really going on and am sorry you believe the hogwash.

I would not expect the UK to do anything but lick the arse of the US just now. It is busy trying to create a situation in the UK where it will impose Marshall Law.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...L-LAW-avoid-chaos-streets-no-deal-Brexit.html

 

Russia is already there protecting their assets (the oil for weapons deals they made) and China is giving this their thumbs up.
There is no opportunity in Venezuela for the US to be taken in.

 

Per your statement in bold and underlined, you are a supporter of the Iraq War, correct?

The object was to dismantle their WMDs and establish democracy.

Just to be clear you supported this?

 

I was never thrilled with the Iraq invasion. Once done, though, it certainly should have been done right. No pulling and running away and failing to acknowledge paternity.

 

If Russia dropped any potential golden shower video now itd cause a constitutional crisis. What's stopping them? Trump is constantly acting against their interests. If they had some sort of dodgy deal with him it's long past time to drop the dirt.

This Venezuelan thing will either end with free elections or it being made blatantly clear to all Venezuelans that Maduro is a murderous dictator ruling by pure military force and despotism.

I dont support regime change, the Venezuelans need to rise up and have a bloody civil war. That's the reality of the situation.

Unfortunately no matter what they're likely to elect a hard left leader. But that's their prerogative.

 

Russian mercenaries have been reported in America wearing MAGA caps.

 

No, MAGA is regularly acting, and especially speaking, in Russia's favor.

 

I'm not sure where your media bubble is at at the moment, but Democracy Now!'s interview with the Venezuelan foreign minister was cringe worthy.

The look on Amy Goodman's face when he said "you are concerned about a Russian collusion against your government, which I think is all a fake and never happened, but now you interfere directly in our country's affairs" was priceless.

More than ever interests are so tangled and enemies side with enemies.

 

There's a rumour going round Bolton is sending 5000 troops to Columbia... also harsher sanctions and the US is keeping billions of Venezuela's money....

 

Well first I am so old I do not expect to suffer as people will, otherwise I would be bricking it. Second I have only very recently discovered just how bad things could be and how quick so am still in the trying to get people to wake up phrase. That being said I looked up what you say and notice we have these things going in Scotland too. Really not all that different to many people's thinking about communes in the 60's 70's except now there is a survival reason to support it. Maybe you could go and try one out and see how you feel and help set the scene for people to follow. You know I mentioned Diem25 might offer you something on Climate. Well it looks like they are taking that on and that will be genuine as I know they have a lot of green people working with them. They now are advertising that they have a Green New Deal. I know there is a lot of there program you will not agree with but you might find you could give something to them on that issue.

https://diem25.org/europe-now-has-a-green-new-deal-and-its-coming-to-a-ballot-box-near-you-in-may/

 

Venezuela has been sending her troops to the Columbian border for the last few days expecting them.