Is Colonialism alive and well?

 ARE MINERALS OF UKRAINE WORTH WAR?

WHY CAN'T MODERN NATIONS THRIVE WITHOUT EXPLOITATION?

We continually hear about the resources up for grabs in Ukraine. Donald Trump has come late to the table to demand a share of the resources in Ukraine for past support, without any promise of future support. One problem is that the UK has already signed a 100 year right to those same resources and also control of the imports and exports of any future Ukraine. Similar deals seem to have also been signed with France, although less transparent. In fact, the UK deal was not covered very much until Trump started talking mineral deals. One must wonder, does Trump really want a mineral deal or was this his way of exposing the continued effort at colonialism of the UK? A colonialism that is impossible without the military might of the United States.

So is colonialism alive and well, just more veiled in obscure language, but always backed up with military force?

I was a little surprised that as the Central African nations have thrown France out of their countries we learn that they were all forced to use the French colonial Franc and France somehow took a cut. 

No one has asked or explained what has happened to the oil in Iraq and Syria that is still under the control of the United States, and maybe its partners, for now 20 years. We know that Syria has not received anything for their oil and Iraq is only given what the U.S. feels is enough for survival. Does anyone know who is receiving the wealth from that very best Libyan oil? No one asks and no one tells. I don't think the soldiers who fought and died have received any cut, nor the national treasury.

Since Roman times, and of course before, empires were built on plunder by their military. In the old days the military often prospered by sharing the plunder with the politicians, but then, like Rome, the politicians feel it is better to keep the plunder and incentivise the troops to fight for democracy, religion or their nation. 

The British empire was built on plunder, opium to China, slaves to the colonies  and whatever else they could profit from. It seems as their economy dies from mismanagement and irresponsibility they may have decided to return to the age old practice, but of course, with the military might of their former colonies. 

The reason that China and some others have made great inroads in Africa is that they have, at least so far, utilized economic development and prosperity rather than military force and bought the resources rather than plundered them.

I alway believed that the Gulf and Arab nations are willing to Sell their oil and likewise most other countries including Russia and Ukraine are willing to sell all the resources that anyone wants to buy. That is the nature of good relations, transactions that both sides find profitable and rewarding.

Today is Tariff day.

 NEGOTIATIONS SET FOR RECIPROCAL TARIFFS

MOST TARIFF ISSUES WILL BE RESOLVED

There seems to be a lot of hysteria when it comes to tariffs. The Trump issue with tariffs is that every nation has a trade surplus with the United States and while there are many trade regulations, many have been ignored and often tariffs or taxes are placed on U.S. produced goods. Some restrictions are placed by regulations barring goods made in the USA, some are just naked policies to protect home based products. Trump believes, and rightly so, that these practices lead to a drain of money out of the country and has contributed to the growing problem of the U.S. financial situation. It also damages U.S. jobs.

Trump has always made it clear, that tariffs are going to be placed on goods from countries that have tariffs, taxes or regulations that limit U.S. exports to those countries. It has been very transparent as to the end goal of these tariffs, that is to open up trade opportunities for U.S. business and jobs. 

Tariff's with Mexico and Canada are used concerning illegal immigration and drug imports across these borders, the hope is to get more cooperation from our neighbors in controlling the borders.

Aluminum and steel tariffs are an effort to maintain the domestic manufacturing of these products, vital for maintaining a healthy production for independence and national security. It is very unlikely that the U.S., due to its environmental and other regulations can compete with steel and aluminum production from Chinese producers. Also many of the imports from Canada and other allied countries are just re purposed products of bulk steel produced in China.

While many advocate complete free trade, it is not a simple issue. Countries without environmental and other regulations have a great advantage over domestic producers and if we value truly being independent and self sufficient some measures need to be taken to take these issues into account.  

Some just need to take a breath and let these issues play out and hopefully they will end in a positive result.

Democracy under assault in Europe.

 PRESERVING POLITICAL POWER OVERRIDES THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE

THE EXISTING POWERS ARE LOSING SUPPORT

The latest indication of the crisis of democracy in Europe was the jailing of the leading opposition candidate Marine Le Pen in France. She was jailed for 4 years and denied the ability to run for office for 5 years by the ruling party of Emmanuel Macron. It is just the latest abuse of power that is overriding the democratic process in Europe. 

Recently we have witnessed the voiding of the election of the winner of the election in Romania, then his arrest. This decision was decide by a court under the direction of the EU in Brussels. Likewise a close election in Moldova was shewed when absentee voters were allowed from the EU, but denied access from other parts of Europe. 

Then there is of course the ongoing threats to Hungary and Viktor Orban for opposing dictates from Brussels and their threat to deny the voting rights of Hungary.

We witnessed the attempted assassination of Robert Fico, Prime minster of Slovakia, by a EU and Ukrainian supporter.  Fico was shot 5 times in the stomach for not supporting the war in Ukraine, he has recovered and has not changed his stance.

In Germany, the fastest growing party has been slandered and attempts to have its candidates removed from the voter ballots. 

Last year we also witnessed the removal from office of Imran Khan of Pakistan, then the attempt to remove him from the ballot, wounded in an assassination attempt and then finally his jailing, all while he was the most popular candidate in Pakistan. Then a rigged election all brought about by documented pressure of the United States opposed to Pakistan remaining neutral in the war in Ukraine.

O course, we have witnessed similar antics in the U.S. with the lawfare and demonization of Donald Trump. It is likely to have similar results in Europe. Either the voters will eventually prevail or Europe will descend into some kind of authoritarian dictatorship from Brussels.

The reality is the ruling class in Europe is losing public support and is the last stages of their dying policies that are akin to economic and social suicide. In an attempt to hang on to power they are now desperate and are willing to very transparently deny the will the voters of their countries. 

It is clear their policies are failing and there is  drastic upheaval coming to Europe.