US Foreign Policy Guatemala

Independent Analyst View:

Guatemala is like a majority of nations in the world which lack a sustainable economy. (The US is also confronting the challenge for economic sustainability.) Two starting positions should be the foundation for US Foreign Policy:

1. Recognizing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as it applies to Guatemala.

2. Recognizing the specific and unique social, environmental, economic, and political situation in Guatemala.

Looking at the CIA World Factbook, one can see the starting condition assuming the CIA is keeping the facts current. (Sometimes the book is out of date.) Second, listen to the US State Department for policy specifics. Then, go back to the two items above to reconcile the appropriateness of today's policy.

"The Maya civilization flourished in Guatemala and surrounding regions during the first millennium A.D. After almost three centuries as a Spanish colony, Guatemala won its independence in 1821. During the second half of the 20th century, it experienced a variety of military and civilian governments, as well as a 36-year guerrilla war. In 1996, the government signed a peace agreement formally ending the internal conflict, which had left more than 200,000 people dead and had created, by some estimates, about 1 million refugees." 

CIA World Factbook

An anthropologist from Guatemala provides a historical overview that is better than the "official documents." Her assessment is published by The New York Times.

Consider her report that spans 1954 to 2013. Several points are made:

1. Capitalists exploit the nation without regard for Democracy.

2. US Governments favor capitalists aka corporations over democratic principles.

3. US Presidents, including prominent Republicans, supported policies that resulted in the massacre of populations.

"Guatemala Suffered for U.S. Foreign Policy
Irma Alicia Velasquez Nimatuj 

Irma Alicia Velasquez Nimatuj, a member of the K´iche´ ethnic group, is a social anthropologist. She writes a weekly column for ElPeriodico, a national Guatemalan newspaper 

MAY 19, 2013, 7:01 PM 

The inequalities that led to the armed conflict in Guatemala and eventually to genocide against the Mayan population are embedded in a long history of colonization, dispossession, exclusion, contempt and structural racism. 

But these inequalities were exacerbated in 1954 when the United States, in the name of anticommunism and in the defense corporate interests of the United Fruit Company, helped depose the democratic government of Jacobo Arbenz Guzmán. 

By financing and training counterinsurgency forces that slaughtered indigenous people, the United States shares blame for genocide. 

From that moment on, the United States assured that an ultraconservative line remained in power until 1985. The United States financed brutal counterinsurgency campaigns with forces it trained in the School of the Americas. By interfering in state policies and it shared responsibility for the genocidal campaigns carried out by the military regimes in Guatemala, including the government of Ríos Montt. 

Ronald Reagan, in particular, supported and exalted the regime of Ríos Montt, reducing the massacres and dehumanization of indigenous communities to a “bum rap” for Ríos Montt. The anticommunist sentiment shared by the two leaders provided an incentive for the armed forces to continue carrying out a genocide against the 22 Maya groups of the country. 

The long-term effects of the massacres are not only visible in the loss of lives and brilliant minds but on the current fragmentations of Guatemalan society. U.S. foreign policy tore apart the social fabric of the country. These policies struck the indigenous population mercilessly, especially in rural areas. Unfortunately, the manner in which Ríos Montt’s defense behaved at trial hindered the possibility of learning more about the U.S. role in Guatemala directly from the ex-dictator.  

The tide has somewhat turned. In 1999, President Bill Clinton, during his visit to Guatemala, recognized and apologized for the errors committed in our country. The U.S. embassy of the United States has said the Ríos Montt verdict should be respected, earning the wrath of the business sector, conservatives and the military, which find their former ally’s current stance treasonous. 

But what does this mean for Guatemalans after the damage has been done? What will U.S. economic, technical and possibly military support mean for the future of the country when we have an administration headed by a former military leader who, alongside his cabinet, continues to criminalize social movements and indigenous people? 

This moment is only the beginning of a long process for indigenous peoples to restore the collective historical memory of the country and to regain the dignity of which we have been robbed.  

The United States should accept its responsibility not only by issuing apologies but also by actively working to make sure its current foreign policies don’t contribute to a new wave of abuses against indigenous people who still have a long struggle ahead." 

https://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/05/19/what-guilt-does-the-us-bear-in-guatemala/guatemala-suffered-for-us-foreign-policy

From the CIA World Factbook

Economy: GUATEMALA
Overview: 

Guatemala is the most populous country in Central America with a GDP per capita roughly half the average for Latin America and the Caribbean. The agricultural sector accounts for 13.5% of GDP and 31% of the labor force; principal agricultural exports include sugar, coffee, bananas, and vegetables. Guatemala is the top remittance recipient in Central America as a result of Guatemala's large expatriate community in the US. These inflows are a primary source of foreign income, equivalent to two-thirds of the country's exports and about a tenth of its GDP. 

The 1996 peace accords, which ended 36 years of civil war, removed a significant obstacle to foreign investment, and Guatemala has since pursued significant reforms and macroeconomic stabilization. The Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) entered into force in July 2006, spurring increased investment and diversification of exports, with the most significant increases in ethanol and non-traditional agricultural commodities. While CAFTA-DR has helped improve the investment climate, concerns over security, the lack of skilled workers, and poor infrastructure continue to hamper foreign direct investment. 

The distribution of income remains highly unequal with the wealthiest 20% of the population accounting for more than 51% of Guatemala's overall consumption. More than half of the population is below the national poverty line, and 23% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Poverty among indigenous groups, which make up more than 40% of the people, averages 79%, with 40% of the indigenous people living in extreme poverty. Nearly one-half of Guatemala's children under age five are chronically malnourished, one of the highest malnutrition rates in the world. 

GDP (purchasing power parity):
$137.8 billion (2017 est.)
$133.7 billion (2016 est.)
$128.4 billion (2015 est.)
note: data are in 2017 dollars
country comparison to the world: 78"

Observe that Guatemala is not the worst country in the world regarding the economy. Poorly governed, Guatemala would benefit from the following:

1. Favorable trading partner relationship with the US

2. Commitment by the US government to work with corporations to address systemic economic needs with a focus on engineering a sustainable economy.

3. Working with Guatemala to develop a government committed to upholding the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Note: The trouble is, the American government under the current regime is not committed to providing Americans with a sustainable economy and is abusing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The People

The Location

Guatemala 

'Enemy of the People'

US President Donald Trump has engaged the free press media in which he alleged that "the media" has become the "enemy of the people" because of ninety percent of the news stories about him are negative. Let's discuss.

He claims that he is accomplishing what he had promised his followers and that the economy is performing well and that people should be happy and satisfied with that.

He believes that 63 million people elected him and want what he is accomplishing. That ignores these facts:

Donald J. Trump    Republican    62,980,160
Hillary R. Clinton    Democratic    65,845,063

A small majority of citizens didn't want what Trump and the Republicans are doing. However, Republicans control the Congress and the Executive branch and operate in a bully fashion to accomplish their aims. They are not bipartisan.

Trump's bullish style makes no effort to unite the nation and to effectively demonstrate that his policies are best for the nation. For instance, giving corporations and wealthy persons a giant tax break was supposed to provide "trickle down" benefits for the middle-class and poor. The economic facts are that wages are not improving. The middle-class did not benefit from the tax cut. True is that Wall Street and Corporations are benefiting.

Also true is that the national debt and deficit is exploding again. That is the consequence of failing to generate sufficient tax revenue. Republican's and the President's response is to attack Social Security and Medicare and Medicaid that further degrades the middle-class and poor, which is entirely unacceptable.

The President's reporting economic good news is done with the caveat not to look into the future because we are headed for the cliff again.

The President is an incessant and apparently incurable liar. All Americans can see and hear that. As such, he is like a lying witness on the stand in court. What are we supposed to believe from someone so untruthful?

That is why the media pepper the President for details and probe his character and challenge his truthfulness. On behalf of all people, that is what the free-press does.

In the wake of horrible catastrophes in the news and on his watch, the President has mixed the right words while drowning out his message with the wrong and inappropriate ones. That is his behavior that undermines attention to his accomplishments.

The media track his progress and report it. For instance:

"Donald Trump made a string of promises during his long campaign to be the 45th president of the United States.

Many of them made headlines - from banning all Muslims entering the US to building a wall along the border with Mexico.

So how is he doing?"

Below, I am quoting from Reuters and the BBC.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-37982000

Tax Cuts

"Before election: Trump promised to lower the corporate tax rate and huge tax cuts for working Americans.

After: The Republican tax plan finally passed in December 2017, and it largely ticks the box for the president although its merits are hotly disputed. He has had to compromise on his pledge to bring corporation tax down from 35% to 15% (it will be 21% instead). And the tax cuts for individuals will expire, although Republicans say future governments will simply renew them. But wealthy Americans are expected to benefit more than poorer ones."

Paris Climate Deal

"Before: As a candidate, Mr. Trump derided climate change as a hoax concocted by China and the regulations of Paris as stifling to American growth.

After: After three months of prevarications behind the closed doors of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the president came down decisively on the side near the exits. Quitting the Paris deal, signed by nearly 200 countries, will take a few years but this is unequivocally a promise kept."

Is that a good thing? Most scientists, environmentalists, and intelligent people don't think so.

Supreme Court Nominee

"Before: "I am looking for judges and have actually picked 20 of them. They'll respect the Second Amendment and what it stands for and what it represents."

After: He vowed to appoint a conservative justice and he has - Neil Gorsuch. It took a procedural change to Senate rules, but it's a victory nonetheless."

Next, he nominated and posted Brett Kavanaugh. While he succeeded, Kavanaugh can expect close oversight by the Supreme Court Justice and follow-up investigations about allegations of sexual misconduct.

Do most Americans agree with the outcome? Probably not.

Bombing the Islamic State

"Before: During a speech in Iowa in November 2015, Mr. Trump warned that he would, using an expletive, bomb so-called Islamic State into obliteration.

After: The president dropped the biggest non-nuclear bomb in the US arsenal on an IS-stronghold in Afghanistan. He also takes credit for accelerating progress in driving IS out of parts of Iraq and Syria."

Then, he turned the entire mess over the Russians with dictator Bashar Al-Assad still in power.

Trade Deals

"Before: Mr. Trump called Nafta "a disaster" and warned that the TPP "is going to be worse, so we will stop it."

After: Mr. Trump pledged to withdraw from the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). He did in his first few days.

He also vowed to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Association (Nafta) and, after threatening to pull out, the White House.

The new deals with Canada and Mexico have been accomplished, though the results and impact is unknown at this time.

Ban on Muslims

"Before: Mr. Trump initially promised to ban all Muslims entering the US - a "total and complete" shutdown should remain until the US authorities "can figure out what's going on".

But he switched to "extreme vetting" after he became the party's presidential candidate.

After: As president, he introduced two travel bans which become ensnarled in the courts but the third had more luck. The US Supreme Court ruled President Trump's ban on six mainly Muslim countries can go into full effect, pending legal challenges.

The decision is a boost for Mr. Trump's policy against travelers from Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.

Cuba Thaw No More

"Before: Mr. Trump said in September 2016 that he would reverse the deal President Barack Obama had struck to reopen diplomatic relations and improve trade.

After: As president, he told an audience in Miami that he was "canceling the Obama administration's one-sided deal." But in reality, he has only rolled back certain parts, placing restrictions on travel and business."

Obamacare

"Before: One of Mr. Trump's trademark rally pledges was to repeal and replace Obamacare - his predecessor's attempt to extend healthcare to the estimated 15% of the country who are not covered.

It is widely hated by Republicans, who say the law imposes too many costs on business, with many describing it as a "job killer" and decrying the reforms - officially the Affordable Care Act - as an unwarranted intrusion into the affairs of private businesses and individuals.

After: The Republican healthcare plan has been unable to pass the Senate, and has been mauled by doctors' groups, hospitals and other parts of the medical industry, mainly because of its deep cuts to Medicaid, the health programme for the poor, and fears that millions would lose insurance.
But Mr. Trump has been able to dismantle parts of the law - the fine for people who did not get health insurance has been eliminated as part of the tax plan. Some fear that may have a spiraling effect on premiums as healthy people choose not to get insured."

To be continued. Republicans want to drop protection for people with pre-existing conditions.

Moving Israel embassy

"Before: Mr. Trump pledged during his campaign to move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, a divided city which both Israelis and Palestinians claim.

After: In December, he said he formally recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and approved moving the US embassy. It will open in May 2018, to coincide with Israel's 70th anniversary."

He moved the Embassy.

Troops in Afghanistan

"Before: Long before he ran for president, Mr. Trump posted a number of tweets calling for an end to US involvement in Afghanistan. They were similar in tone to this one from 2013: "Our troops are being killed by the Afghanis we train and we waste billions there. Nonsense! Rebuild the USA."
But his stance changed during last year's presidential election when he said US troops would probably have to stay in order to avoid the total collapse of the Afghan government and to keep a check on neighboring nuclear-armed Pakistan.

After: He has committed the US Army to the open-ended conflict, saying his approach will be based on conditions on the ground and will not have time limits. He also said he would get tough on Pakistan, who he criticized for offering "safe havens" to extremists - claims rejected by Pakistan.
US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis confirmed Mr. Trump's strategy in an announcement that the US would send 3,000 additional troops to Afghanistan."

A border wall paid for by Mexico

Before: His vow to build a wall along the US-Mexican border was one of the most controversial of Mr. Trump's campaign promises. Mr. Trump also insisted that Mexico would pay for it.

After: Mexico maintains it will never pay for it, and even Mr. Trump has conceded that the US will have to pay up front and then seek reimbursement in some way.

The US Congress is exploring funding options for the wall, but many Republicans will be unhappy about footing a bill which could rise to $21.5bn (£17.2bn), according to a Department of Homeland Security internal report.

There are also landowners who protest against a "government land grab" - and a lawsuit from an environmental group launched in April. Prototypes are being built but not one brick has been laid of the "big, beautiful wall".

Deporting all illegal immigrants

"Before: Mr. Trump repeatedly told his supporters that every single undocumented immigrant - of which there are 11.3 million - "have to go".
After: As polling day approached, his stance began to soften slightly, then after the election, he scaled it back to some two to three million deportations of people who "are criminal and have criminal records, gang members, drug dealers".

Setting aside the fact that the number of illegal immigrants with criminal records (including border crossings) is thought to be below a million, the president has failed to deliver on this promise.

In the fiscal year 2017, deportations were at 211,068 which is lower than they were in the previous year. That is despite a huge jump in arrests since Mr. Trump took office. The number of removals peaked in 2012 and has been falling since.

The future of young undocumented immigrants known as Dreamers hangs in the balance because Mr. Trump has canceled the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (Daca) programme, which allows some 700,000 people to remain in the US. The case is now in legal limbo."

Ditching NATO

"Before: Mr. Trump repeatedly questioned the military alliance's purpose, calling it "obsolete". One issue that bugged him was whether members were pulling their weight and "paying their bills". In one New York Times interview in July 2016, he even hinted that the US would not come to the aid of a member invaded by Russia.

After: But as he hosted Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the White House in April, the US president said the threat of terrorism had underlined the alliance's importance. "I said it [Nato] was obsolete," Mr. Trump said. "It's no longer obsolete.""

China as currency manipulator

"Before: Mr. Trump repeatedly pledged to label Beijing a "currency manipulator" on his first day in office, during an election campaign when he also accused the Asian powerhouse of "raping" the US. China has been accused of suppressing the yuan to make its exports more competitive with US goods.

After: He told the Wall Street Journal in April that China had not been "currency manipulators" for some time and had actually been trying to prevent the yuan from further weakening."

Torture

"Before: Mr Trump said he would approve waterboarding "immediately" and "make it also much worse", adding "torture works".

After: But after his inauguration, the president said he would defer to the opposing belief, espoused by Defence Secretary James Mattis and CIA director Mike Pompeo.

Mr Pompeo said during his confirmation hearing said he would "absolutely not" reinstate such methods."

Prosecuting Hillary Clinton

"Before: "Lock her up" was one of the main rallying cries of Mr Trump's supporters.

They wanted to see Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in prison over the use of her private email server while secretary of state.

And Mr Trump was more than willing to back their calls for, at the very least, a fresh investigation. During the debates, he told Mrs Clinton: "If I win, I am going to instruct my attorney general to get a special prosecutor to look into your situation."

After: The president-elect's tone changed almost as soon as he had won, describing the woman he had said was "such a nasty woman" as someone the country owed "a debt of gratitude". Later, he said he "hadn't given [the prosecution] a lot of thought" and had other priorities.

On 22 November, Mr. Trump's spokeswoman said he would not pursue a further investigation - to help Mrs. Clinton "heal".

The guy who invented "Lock Her Up" is now an admitted felon that is Michael Flynn. He's going to jail.


Rebuilding Infrastructure

"Before: The country's infrastructure "will become, by the way, second to none, and we will put millions of our people back to work as we rebuild it", he said in his victory speech in November.

After: Has repeated his vow to spend big on the country's roads, rail, and airports, but as yet, there is no sign of action."

No progress.

The Human Caravan Problem, Part 2

Note: President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress have failed to address the immigration problems confronting the US today.

Immigration Problem Definition:

Limited Capacity to Assist

The nation has a limited capacity to attend to the needs of people who are at or below the poverty level. It has limited resources to assist citizen families in improving their means to develop and raise their standard of living to that which is sustainable by them. Today, many citizens are at and below poverty with children not being served by the national, state, and local governments.

Add to citizens not being served is a population of immigrants, most of which are fleeing for their lives and seek asylum that is their human right.

Many immigrants possess the potential for adding value to the Nation. The question is, how much capacity is there in the American system to address both populations who are in need: 1) impoverished citizens and 2) immigrants?

Policy Proposals

America is failing when any of its citizens are living at or below poverty. It should be against the law for citizens to be living in poverty, and for families with children not to have the help they need to escape impoverishment and to become self-sustainable. Agree or Disagree?

Legislated programs at all levels of government that address citizen-families in need require complex professional support systems that with staffing, budget, and funding. The upside is that by making most Americans self-sufficient also makes America more competitive and improves the quality of life for everyone.

Can the Nation afford that? The answer is that to be a viable Nation worthy of citizen approval, it must. The primary role of nation-state government is to optimize the return on national resources that include its citizens as a primary resource and beneficiary.

Add to that consideration for how many additional people the Nation needs and can afford to support regarding numbers and demographic conditions.

The Legacy Problems

1. The legacy of illegal immigrants and their American-born children

Past Administrations and the US Congress failed to address the accruing problem created by illegal immigration. The problem happened over many years, and the problem increased into tens of millions of unlawful adults who now have "legal" children.

The present Republican-controlled Congress failed to address the problem even when bipartisan legislation was available for action. With more immigrants headed to the border, the problem is getting worse.

The administration's stop-gap actions are cruel and inhumane actions conflict with the Nation's Constitutional values.

2. Deficient US population management strategy and policies

3. US Foreign Policy toward South American Nations considering each nation individually

The immediate crisis from the onslaught of desperate people fleeing danger and persecution in search of freedom in America

For each of the four considerations listed above, there are associated mechanisms for addressing them that include the following elements:

1. Laws and regulations
2. Concept of Operations
3. Operational Support Systems

Associated with these are the following:

1. Government organizations
2. Staffing
3. Budget and funding

Repeated from before, the questions before President Trump and his Republican-led Congress are details about everything listed above. The same issues apply to Democrat counterparts.

Inappropriate is wasting time on the campaign trail, stimulating rage and exploiting ignorance and fear without having addressed the problems. The Trump government is failing, and the issues are getting worse.

My challenge is to political leaders is to address the problems and needs professionally and not with political rants and nationalist rage that is more akin to authoritarianism that it is with a pluralistic democracy.

Please continue to read more parts to this story. Ask questions of me, and I will answer them.

Humanity in Crisis

Read Part 1: https://howtoselectanamericanpresident.blogspot.com/2018/10/the-human-caravan-problem-part-1.html

The Human Caravan Problem, Part 1

President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress have failed to address the immigration problems confronting the US today. Instead, Trump and Republicans are hyping fear and exploiting victims stirring bigotry and hatred. Alternatively, there are smarter ways forward as reviewed here.

First, what are the "immigration problems?" There are at least four considerations.

1. The legacy of illegal immigrants and their American-born children
2. Deficient US population management strategy and policies
3. US Foreign Policy toward South American Nations considering each nation individually
4. The immediate crisis from the onslaught of desperate people fleeing danger and persecution in search of freedom in America

For each of the four considerations listed above, there are associated mechanisms for addressing them that include the following elements:

1. Laws and regulations
2. Concept of Operations
3. Operational Support Systems

Associated with these are the following:

1. Government organizations
2. Staffing
3. Budget and funding

The questions before President Trump and his Republican-led Congress are details about everything listed above. The same questions apply to Democrat counterparts.

Inappropriate is wasting time on the campaign trail, stimulating rage and exploiting ignorance and fear without having effectively addressed the problems. The Trump government is failing and the problems are getting worse.

I am throwing rocks at Trump and his crony government because I know the questions and much about the answers. As an independent journalist, I want my readers to join with me in demanding answers and to stop them from terrorizing our nation.

Please continue to read more parts to this story. Ask questions of me and I will answer them.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/another-u-s-bound-caravan-takes-shape-one-el-salvador-n923346

Trump Compromises Democracy, Giving Saudis Pass

Here are the facts. The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia ordered the hit on Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen whose residence was in the US and whose employer was The Washington Post. His goon team lured the journalist into the Saudi consulate in Turkey where they beat and tortured him and then dismembered his body for disposal.

The act is embarrassing to Trump because he put all of his foreign policy eggs in the Saudi basket. As significant, his sons and the Trump family make a lot of money from deals with Saudis and the Russians too. That is an Emoluments Clause violation of the US Constitution that is not being prosecuted by Congress because they are going along.

Capitalism is on trial along with Donald Trump because they are not patriotic and allegiant to the US Constitution and the rule of law. America's only recourse is to impeach, purge, and prosecute the Trump regime.

"Amid global outrage over Khashoggi, Trump takes a soft stance toward Saudis
Trump, Pompeo give possible mixed signals over Saudi Arabia and response to Khashoggi case 

Statements from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Trump do not offer clarity into how the administration is dealing with the case of Jamal Khashoggi. (Joyce Lee, Jason Aldag/The Washington Post)" 

By Robert Costa,
Josh Dawsey and
Philip Rucker October 17 at 8:26 PM
As gruesome details of Jamal Khashoggi’s alleged killing and dismemberment at the hands of Saudi operatives trickled into the public domain this week, calls sounded in capitals around the globe for immediate retaliation to the apparent human rights atrocity." 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/wait-and-see-amid-global-outrage-over-khashoggi-trump-tries-to-protect-saudis/2018/10/17/213c2072-d235-11e8-8c22-fa2ef74bd6d6_story.html?utm_term=.207c1390dda5&wpisrc=nl_headlines&wpmm=1

His Mouth Is Running

Intolerance, Ironic Divide

Would it not be great if one did not feel hate? I am intolerant of those who don't embrace human rights for all as described here.

Be it hating or hated, the feeling is mutually not good.

I want to explain to American Republicans why I feel hateful. It is because I don't believe that Republicans are committed to the declaration described here.

First, I believe in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and for me, that is superior to any governmental body as it belongs to every human being.

The Universal Declaration is a product of the United Nations and the signators whose nations expressly endorse it including the USA.

The 500-page document was published in the year of my birth, 1948 and contains a preamble and thirty articles.

"Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world."

We are one family.

Human beings shall enjoy the freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want, proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people.

Whereas it is essential if people are not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations.

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom.

Whereas the Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in co-operation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge.

Article 1.

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Article 2.

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non-self-governing or under any other limitation of sovereignty.

Article 3.

Everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security of person.

Article 4.

No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms.

Article 5.

No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 6.

Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law.

Article 7.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Article 8.

Everyone has the right to an effective remedy by the competent national tribunals for acts violating the fundamental rights granted him by the constitution or by law.

Article 9.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.

Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 11.

(1) Everyone charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to the law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defense.
(2) No one shall be held guilty of any penal offense on account of any act or omission which did not constitute a penal offense, under the national or international law, at the time when it was committed. Nor shall a heavier penalty be imposed than the one that was applicable at the time the penal offense was committed.

Article 12.

No one shall be subjected to arbitrary interference with his privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to attacks upon his honor and reputation. Everyone has the right to the protection of the law against such interference or attacks.

Article 13.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the borders of each state.
(2) Everyone has the right to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country.

Article 14.

(1) Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.
(2) This right may not be invoked in the case of prosecutions genuinely arising from non-political crimes or from acts contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 15.

(1) Everyone has the right to a nationality.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his nationality.

Article 16.

(1) Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during the marriage and at its dissolution.
(2) Marriage shall be entered into only with the free and full consent of the intending spouses.
(3) The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State.

Article 17.

(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property.

Article 18.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.

(1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.
(2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

Article 21.

(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

Article 22.

Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security and is entitled to realization, through national effort and international co-operation and in accordance with the organization and resources of each State, of the economic, social and cultural rights indispensable for his dignity and the free development of his personality.

Article 23.

(1) Everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favorable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment.
(2) Everyone, without any discrimination, has the right to equal pay for equal work.
(3) Everyone who works has the right to just and favorable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity, and supplemented, if necessary, by other means of social protection.
(4) Everyone has the right to form and to join trade unions for the protection of his interests.

Article 24.

Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and periodic holidays with pay.

Article 25.

(1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
(2) Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance. All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same social protection.

Article 26.

(1) Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit.
(2) Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance, and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace.
(3) Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children.

Article 27.

(1) Everyone has the right freely to participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits.
(2) Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author.

Article 28.

Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration can be fully realized.

Article 29.

(1) Everyone has duties to the community in which alone the free and full development of his personality is possible.
(2) In the exercise of his rights and freedoms, everyone shall be subject only to such limitations as are determined by law solely for the purpose of securing due recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and of meeting the just requirements of morality, public order and the general welfare in a democratic society.
(3) These rights and freedoms may in no case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the United Nations.

Article 30.

Nothing in this Declaration may be interpreted as implying for any State, group or person any right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms set forth herein.

http://www.un.org/en/udhrbook/

'Fairness' for Justice Kavanaugh

Senators Susan Collins and Joe Manchin are voting for Justice Kavanaugh's appointment to the Supreme Court.

I listened to Senator Collins 45 minute description of her approach and the analysis of Kavanaugh's judicial record. She also described copious attention to the facts surrounding allegations about the Judge's sexual misconduct.

She omitted consideration of Kavanaugh's overt political statements and baseless charges because she is on the Republican team. Being so aligned, she ignored flaws in the process and a corrupted and limited FBI investigation.

So be it. The matter is finished with tomorrow's final vote.

Looking ahead, there are big fish to fry. The President of the United States remains under investigation with possible impeachment pending the outcome of Mid-term elections.

Also ahead, is the possibility that alleged victims and witnesses of Kavanaugh's sexual abuse might surface for additional investigation and prosecution because, after all, no person is above the law.

Collins argued the necessity for the presumption of innocence and fairness. The bar for defending women against abuses is higher.

What must not be forgotten is how remarkably callous an all-Republican government has become that is run mostly by white men who are fighting for their political lives against a tide of diverse Americans with unmet needs for a sustainable America.

I will rest my case in a new book.

Trump Attacks The New York Times, Again

He called the story, "a very old, boring and often told hit piece on me." Yes, stories about Trump's being a mobster in business is old news. Finally being caught would be something if the authorities got off their 'dead asses' and did something about it.

Who are the ones who missed catching Donald Trump in tax fraud and business illegalities? Here is a list:

1. Local authorities including the City of New York and any other city where Trump claimed residence to which he may owe back taxes.

2. State governments in which Trump enterprises operated without paying taxes owed and following laws and regulations.

3. The US Federal IRS who helped Trump cheat American taxpayers by not auditing and enforcing his obligations to pay.

Donald Trump left American taxpayers holding the bag while he stole their money. Worse still, Trump defrauded voters and the public by making outrageous claims about his business acumen which mounted mostly to cheating people by skirting laws and regulations. Americans elected a tax cheat and someone who defies the rule of law as their President. That is a travesty that is destroying the nation.

For the sake of the nation, he must go to jail.

Trump Tax Fraud Allegations

For years, I have heard that Donald Trump was a fraud and a cheat. NY Mayor Bloomberg called him a "gangster." Trump claimed to be a self-made man after a paltry $1 million loan from his wealthy father.

Only the sappiest and ignorant people (add greedy ones like him) would give credence to the Trump success story in wake of three bankruptcies in which he screwed many people and took off with the money.

Now, The New York Times devoted one and a half years investigating Trump's success story and found fraud and tax evasion. If they could do it, why didn't the IRS and FBI when these things happened twenty years ago. The criminal statute of limitations has run out. However, the civil litigation may ensue and Trump and his businesses may be fined.

If the story holds, it shines a light on the necessity for the IRS and FBI to investigate Trump's tax and business records. It is incredible to me that the IRS and FBI have not done so.

Trump has allegedly violated the Emolument Clause of the US Constitution. He has lied incessantly to the American people. These things are unlawful.

Today, we Americans are watching the US Senate participate in obstruction of justice and in a sham and shameful manipulation of an investigation into Judge Brett Kavanaugh who has lied repeatedly before millions of American while on television.

The FBI is still able to corroborate some of the accusers' stories.

We citizens have witnessed Kavanaugh's inappropriate bias and temperament sufficient to remove him as a viable candidate for the Supreme Court.

The overarching story is that crooked and unfit President Trump is nominating a justice who may be equally unfit. Both should be impeached along with all who have gone along with the criminal in office.

Image: The New York Times