Resurrecting Democracy

Trump Does Putin’s Bidding

            Robert A. Levine

From the moment Donald Trump attained the presidency, he has gone out of his way to take actions that will benefit Putin and Russia. Their relationship came out in the open during the campaign in 2016 when Trump asked Russia to find Hillary’s missing emails, though the connection probably existed for some time before that. During Trump’s term in office, the bonds between the two leaders appear to have grown stronger. In fact, it appears that the president is doing whatever he can to make America weaker and sew chaos throughout the nation so that Russia can gain more power. There has been constant divisive rhetoric and tweets.

Trump has refused to listen to his intelligence agencies about Russian interference in the 2016 election, saying that he trusts Putin over his own intelligence agencies. He allowed the Russian military to come into Syria unimpeded, withdrawing American troops and abandoning our Kurdish allies. He has also withdrawn most of our troops from Iraq. Basically, he has handed Syria and the Middle East to Putin on a platter. Though he reluctantly placed sanctions on the Russians for the takeover of the Crimea, he has not really hit them hard.

There is also the private meeting that Trump had with Putin in Helsinki with only interpreters in the room and apparently no notes taken. Why would Trump want to meet alone with Putin without his Secretary of State or military brass in the room? Trump was obviously afraid that some of his interactions with Putin would not pass the smell test with the majority of Americans

Trump has also gone out of his way to weaken NATO, which Europe needs in order to stand up to Putin. He invited Putin to a G7 meeting though none of the other members agreed. Thankfully, the meeting never took place because of the Covid 19 virus. Trump would like to remove some of the current sanctions against Russia so that the U.S. can work better with Russia. And secret intelligence information was given to Russian diplomatic personnel in the White House after Trump fired Comey.

Trump has also fired all the competent national security advisors or had them resign. Ditto for his top military advisors. Those advisors all perceived Russia as America’s main adversary which Trump did not like. He wanted to pivot to China. He also called the soldiers who died fighting for America suckers and losers.

Trump has also not taken a strong stand against the poisonings and assassinations of Putin’s opponents, both in Russia and various European nations. That includes the recent poisoning of Alexei Navalny, Putin’s main domestic opponent. The attempted poisoning was done using a nerve agent that only the Russian state had.

When the American economy was strong, Trump engineered a one and a half trillion dollar tax cut that was unnecessary, benefiting his rich friends. It increased our budget deficit and national debt as well, making it more difficult to use that money in the future when it may be needed.

Trump has not engaged Putin about the bounties Russians were giving the Talaban for every American soldier they killed. He has not addressed this issue on his many phone calls with Putin. In addition, Trump withheld American arms from the Ukraine whose soldiers were fighting the Russians in the Donbas region. Anything for Putin.

There is also the manner that Trump has handled the Covid 19 pandemic which only an enemy of the United States could have done. He knew from the beginning how dangerous the virus was and the deaths it would cause. Yet he left it to the states to try and stop the virus on their own. He did not have a centralized command to run the necessary strategies and indeed had no strategy himself. There was not enough PPE to protect medical personnel and not enough tests to keep up with the number of patients. Even now, there are not enough rapid tests to keep the country safe. Trump has also encouraged people to disregard mitigation techniques like wearing a mask, social distancing, washing one’s hands, and staying at home. Trump knew masks could help arrest the disease, but would not wear one himself and told his followers it was unnecessary. All of this was contrary to scientific advice. Could America’s worst enemy have done a better job of killing the maximum number of citizens and damaging the economy? It was as if Putin himself was sitting in the Oval Office, directing Trump’s policy of managing the Covid 19 virus.

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A Cult of Personality

A Cult of Personality

            Robert A. Levine

The title does not refer to Stalin or Mao and why should it? We have our own cult of personality right here in America worshipping our president Donald Trump. His acolytes adore him, disregarding his lies and contradictory actions to grovel at his feet. He loves the lavish praise heaped upon him by his sycophants, and indeed demands it if one wants to remain on his good side. When speaking of a cult of personality, everyone in America is aware whom we are describing, whether politically on the left or the right. It can only be “The Donald.”

When one thinks of how he has been performing as president, it is clear that Trump wants to be considered almost as a religious figure with all of his disciples honoring his slightest wish. He surrounds himself with lackeys who are totally obedient. Every powerful figure who was in his orbit or member of his cabinet has resigned or been fired by Trump for refusing to follow his directives or arguing against his policy. Strong men likes General Mattis, General Kelly, Secretary of State Tillerson could not accommodate to Trump’s whims and desires, some of which were bad for America. In fact, Tillerson was noted to have called Trump a moron, but one does not have to be smart to have a cult following. Trump’s IQ may be average or below but he has a high SQ or social quotient. He is able to convince many Americans to believe what he tells them, even if it is obviously false or repudiates what he has previously said. He knows that to be effective he just has to repeat his falsehoods over and over, the repetition making them true for those who adore him.

Think of the Republican convention which turned into a family convocation. In addition to Trumps lengthy acceptance speech, Melania spoke, four of his children spoke, Don Jr’s girlfriend spoke, all greeted enthusiastically by Trump’s worshipers. And every other speaker lauded Trump for the way he has been running the nation, ignoring the 180,000 plus Americans who have died on his watch due to his inept handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. And the worshipping goes on with some 40 odd percent of Americans approving of his presidency as he tries to change the focus of the campaign from the pandemic to law and order.

One wonders how anyone can approve of Trump given his disastrous management of the Covid 19 pandemic. But many Americans don’t know or don’t understand the mistakes he has made and listen to his speeches and tweets as the words of God. In fact, he has called himself “The Chosen One” picked by God to save America. This is in spite of the fact that he does not attend church, does not read the Bible, has been married thrice, has had multiple affairs, often swears and constantly lies. His base doesn’t care.

A cult is little different than a religion and the leader is believed and worshipped. For many of his followers, Trump can’t make a mistake and they cannot see and do not know how Trump is in the process of destroying America and democracy. Though his base worships at the feet of Trump, Trump worships at the feet of Putin. How do you describe a cult of personality whose leader worships another leader of a cult of personality? Maybe it would be easier if all of Trump’s followers transferred their allegiance directly to Putin instead of going through an intermediary. It would certainly make matters less complex.

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Right-Wing Tribalism Seems Implaccable

 

                        Robert A. Levine

One would have thought that the Covid 19 pandemic would have brought Americans together, given all the death, suffering and comparison to a war. Instead it has merely exacerbated the partisan divide between the left and the right. The right simply disregards scientific and medical information and advice and is now aggressively trying to open up the country, notwithstanding the risks which they refuse to acknowledge. Armed partisans have supported attempts to open some businesses, ignoring state regulations. And these attempts to open up have been backed by President Trump, the chief of this tribe.

The Trump tribe does not recognize expertise and information in line with their chief, many of its members avid followers of various conspiracy theories. And the more lies Trump tells and the more mistakes he makes in handling the Corona pandemic, the more wedded to him his tribe seems to be. Some of the data regarding this linkage appears to be beyond comprehension. In a recent CNN poll, President Trump’s overall approval rating stood at about 45 percent. In the same poll, only 36 percent trusted him as a source of information regarding the Covid outbreak.

How can one explain the disconnect between 36 percent of the nation trusting him and 45 percent approving of his role as president. These statistics seem to indicate that large numbers of people who do not trust him (at least 9 percent of the population) and believe that he lies regarding information about the pandemic, still approve of his performance as president. How does that add up? How can any Americans approve of a president whom they do not trust? 55 percent of citizens also disapprove of his handling of the pandemic, the worst crisis for America since World War II.

The explanation for this contradiction can only be tribalism. Many of Trump’s acolytes are so emotionally bound to him and his tribe that they do not care if he lies and provides them with false information. He is their leader and they will stick by him no matter what he does. Lying, cheating or nepotism do not matter. Ignoring scientific advice on how to manage the pandemic is of no concern. They are probably unaware of the fact that he has few Senate confirmed cabinet members, but it would make no difference to them anyway. He has appointed temporary secretaries with no expertise and no knowledge to run important departments and agencies of the federal government but his followers would not care even if they knew.

His tax cut of 1.5-2 trillion dollars benefitted mainly the upper 1 percent, though his lies convinced his base it was structured for them. They were not knowledgeable enough to discover for themselves that he had been lying and that their portion of the tax cut was minimal. It just added trillions to the deficit and the national debt. Trump never cared about his personal debt before he was president and has transferred his profligacy to the government. His Republican tribe should be greatly concerned but they make excuses and disregard his dissolute ways.

Trump has also been fighting in the courts to abolish the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) and to reinstate the refusal to cover pre-existing conditions. These would mostly hurt members of his base, but they appear not to comprehend what he is doing, given his lies regarding these actions. Trump has spoken of a better health care plan than the ACA but has given no indication that he has devised any new program. That means no health care for millions if he gets his way.

During the campaign he promised to release his taxes as every other president has done for decades. When he reneged on that promise, none of his tribal base blinked. His unwillingness to temporarily surrender his businesses while he was president also did not move his base. And American citizens have no idea whether he made his money legally, received funds from Russian oligarchs or other foreign sources, or was involved in other nefarious schemes, as Trump continues to fight against transparency with his finances. No one even knows if he’s as wealthy as he claims to be.

And his grabbing women by the p---y and the affairs that he denies but paid hundreds of thousands to two women in hush money. Do they mean anything to the Trump tribe? There’s also the numerous women who claim sexual harassment or worse by Trump, also ignored by the Trump tribe.

 No matter what Trump’s actions are or what he says, his tribe is willing to disregard his tweets, verbal outbursts and behavior. He has mesmerized a large segment of the American populace and they will follow him anywhere. How will his tribe react if Trump loses the coming election and refuses to accept the verdict of the voters?

Resurrecting Democracy

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What Happened to the Belief in Science?

What Happened to Belief in Science?

                        Robert A. Levine

America used to be the leading nation in scientific research, coming up with new discoveries and inventions that improved the lot of mankind and the nation’s economy. Scientific concepts were taught in the schools and the average American believed in the empirical principles that science had uncovered. Though the United States is still probably the leader in scientific productivity, its lead is slipping with less funding from the federal government for scientific research and China spending more. And many established scientific facts are no longer accepted by a significant percentage of the American population.

There are a number of rejections of scientific data by Americans that stand out, much of it instilled by propaganda from President Trump, who considers himself an expert on everything and refuses to concede that scientific information on global warming may be correct. It is hard to know whether Trump’s beliefs in this area are the result of pure ignorance or whether he is lying about the data to support the use of fossil fuels. Whatever the reason, his rejection of climate change as reality and his failure to take action on it will have a devastating effect on the planet and mankind’s future. Not only has he neglected to address the problem of global warming, his actions regarding the use of coal and oil, and spurning of renewable energy will only make the problem worse to the detriment of younger generations.

The anti-vaxxer movement which claims that vaccines are dangerous appears to be supported by Trump, though scientific evidence shows that vaccines are safe. Because large numbers of Americans are not letting their children be vaccinated because of fear of autism, herd immunity has not been successful in preventing an outbreak of measles which was previously thought to have been eliminated in America. Measles itself is potentially dangerous, with a percentage of those infected developing brain damage and even death. Those who believe in the danger associated with the measles vaccine are living in the dark ages, true as well for those who reject the polio vaccine. All the standard vaccinations should be mandated for all children or the parents fined for withholding preventive therapies that will provide safety for their children. Exceptions on the basis of religion should not be allowed.

The next area of scientific controversy is the safety of GMOs for human consumption. (genetically modified organisms) Grains that have been genetically modified to make them resistant to various pests, possibly climate changes and to increase yield are used in foods in the United States and considered safe. Over 90 percent of corn, soybeans and cotton grown in the U.S. has been genetically modified and is eaten regularly. But there are still individuals who refuse to accept the scientific data that GMOs present no threat to humans (or animals) and search for foods that are GMO free. The concern over GMO foods is even greater in Europe. Some of the same men and women who are anti-vaxxers are also against the consumption of foods that utilize GMOs and believe various conspiracy theories regarding science.

Another disagreement responsible for conflict is the teaching of evolution in the schools which is opposed by many fundamentalist Christians who believe that God created all creatures within the last ten thousand years. According to some of them, man and the dinosaurs walked on earth at the same time before the dinosaurs and other creatures died off. This has been thoroughly disproven by scientific evidence but they accept it on faith. They would either like creationism taught exclusively in the schools or together with evolution, allowing the students to decide which concept is true.

It is amazing that in this day and age there is so much conflict regarding citizens’ refusal to accept scientific truths, which does not bode well for future scientists and scientific advances coming from America. Scientific facts should be taught aggressively in the schools as the nation tries to increase the number of students who choose careers in the STEM fields or the teaching of STEM subjects. And instead of the federal government cutting down on funding for scientific research, it should be increased significantly, as it is seed money for the nation’s future. And of course, politicians who deny scientific facts should be removed from office.

Resurrecting Democracy

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The Wall and All

The Wall

            Robert A. Levine  11-27-18

 Trump is threatening a government shutdown if Congress does not provide him with money to build his wall at the border with Mexico. This is the same Donald Trump who promised that Mexico would pay for the wall so why is he making these demands on the U.S. Congress. With our huge national debt and yearly deficits, building this wall would be a waste of billions of dollars which would be useful in building and repairing America’s infrastructure which has been crumbling for years.

In addition, a wall would not be totally effective as it is low tech and could be scaled. There is also the task and cost of maintenance once the wall has been constructed. Using high tech mechanisms, the border could be made more secure at a much lower cost. Trump seems to be pushing the wall because of the optics that he believes would motivate his base. However, the use of electronic monitoring systems together with drones and increased border patrols would likely do a superior job to the much more expensive wall which also be time-consuming to build.

Trump’s idea of building a wall goes back to the Middle Ages when kings built walls to protect their castles and keep marauders out. I’m surprised he doesn’t want to add a moat to make it even more difficult to get in. After all, many of Trump’s ideas do come out of the Middle Ages, such as using torture on prisoners to extract intelligence. Next thing you know he’ll be bringing back the rack.

The way Trump admitted to treating women he desired- grabbing them by the p---y- is even further in the past in the era of cavemen. Perhaps he should have been featured on The Flintstones instead of The Apprentice as his behavior is much more in synch with the former. Of course, they didn’t have Twitter in those days so he might have had difficulty communicating with others.

 His trade policies may not come from the Middle Ages or primitive times, but they’re out of the past as well. And his denial of scientific data like global warming and the value of vaccinations are pre-Galileo. In fact, Trump might have been a decent king in the Middle Ages but as a modern president he’s a complete failure. Perhaps it’s good that he doesn’t like to read for if he read history, he’d be liable to come up with other foolish ideas that might have worked in past centuries but are of little utility today.

Closing down the government if he doesn’t get his way sounds like typical Trump. It will give him a chance to hop down to Florida and play some golf while Congress and government officials are stewing. He’ll show the country who is boss even if it damages the reputation of the United States and makes us look more and more like a banana republic. Come to think of it, maybe Trump likes bananas.

Resurrecting Democracy

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Science Denied

            Robert A. Levine   11-11-15

One of the foundations of Western civilization has been a belief in science and the ability to utilize new discoveries in practical ways to improve and extend human life. Yet currently, the citizens of many Western nations are rejecting scientific information and recommended responses as being valid, spurning behavior changes on the basis of this knowledge. Scientific data is being endorsed or denied in different nations because of long held biases, religious beliefs, economic incentives, and so forth. And evidence does not seem to make a difference. Two major areas of global importance where science has been disregarded are climate change and the safety of genetically modified crops (GMOs- genetically modified organisms).

Republican conservative politicians in the United States deny that climate change is real and doubt whether mankind could be responsible if global warming is indeed occurring. Because of this, they have refused to pass laws to address this critical issue. This is in spite of the fact that climate scientists have repeatedly shown that global warming is real and caused by human activity, particularly the burning of coal and oil which releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Methane and nitrous oxide are also “greenhouse” gases like carbon dioxide that trap the earth’s heat and result in the warming of the planet. Backed by the fossil fuel lobby and the Koch brothers, Republicans claim that controlling carbon emissions to cut down on carbon dioxide in the atmosphere would damage the American economy and that there is not enough evidence to warrant this action.

Fortunately, rational Americans like President Obama accept the veracity of global warming and his administration has taken steps to reduce greenhouse gases, in conjunction with China and Europe. The majority of Americans, including those who deny global warming, appear to believe that GMOs are not dangerous and are willing to eat foods containing ingredients from GMO crops. A significant minority, however, including environmentalists who want to stop global warming, are afraid of GMOs and refuse to ingest them, ignoring the scientific evidence of their safety.

For the most part, Europeans feel that global warming is a real threat and have taken steps to cut down on the production of greenhouse gases. (Interestingly, their testing for automobile emissions has not been as stringent as in the U. S, allowing Volkswagon and other automobile companies to game the system.) But Europeans are almost uniformly against GMOs, calling them “frankenfoods” and believing the lies and propaganda against them. This false information has been generated mainly by environmentalists in groups like Greenpeace. Seventeen countries have recently banned GMO cultivation on the basis of the popular belief that they are dangerous. Many farmers as well as scientists have argued against this ban, realizing that GMOs increase crop yields and are safe to eat. Instead, farmers have to use pesticides and chemicals that may leach into the local water supply to control insects and crop diseases to produce foods for European consumption.

This ban on GMO cultivation will check development in this promising area of biotech science in European universities and corporations. The Scientific Advisory Council of the European Academy of Science had previously warned that European countries were lagging other nations internationally in agricultural and biotech innovation and new technologies such as genetic research. This could have future economic ramifications for the European Union.

But even more importantly, African countries have followed the European lead in not cultivating crops that are genetically modified, concerned about potential side effects that are non-existent. There are worries that GMOs can produce sexual dysfunction or homosexuality, which is of course ridiculous. This means, however, that drought-resistant, insect-resistant, and disease-resistant crops will not be grown in sub-Saharan Africa, though these could enhance crop yields dramatically and provide foods that would alleviate hunger and famine, reducing the number of malnourished children.

A number of people in the U.S. and Europe (particularly those afraid of GMOs) are also resistant to having their children vaccinated, believing this increases the chances of autism or other developmental problems. Again, the scientific evidence has disproved this theory and vaccinations are necessary for the safety of all children. And there are other instances as well, where people disregard scientific evidence that should shape their beliefs, reinforced perhaps by what children are taught in some schools (creationism, intelligent design, and non-acceptance of evolution).

Science has provided data that clearly shows global warming is real, foods containing GMOs are safe, and vaccinations are safe and necessary. Yet many people choose to think otherwise, ignoring the evidence that is available and acting in unacceptable ways. And at times the leaders of democratic nations acquiesce and pass laws that are unreasonable in light of the scientific data, or refuse to pass other laws that are necessary. Citizens and legislators need to accept scientific evidence to guide their behavior, but obviously this is often disregarded. A problem for democracy and the world.

Resurrecting Democracy

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