Trump Action Against, And Plans For Venezuela, A Violation Of International Law, And Revives Image Of US Imperialism In Western Hemisphere!

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The decision of Donald Trump and his Cabinet to take military action to remove Nicolas Maduro as President of Venezuela, and fly him and his wife to the United States for trial on drug charges, is a brazen action against international law, and encourages similar military actions by Russia (Ukraine), and China (Taiwan) in their so called “Spheres of Influence”.

While one cannot be sad about Maduro being removed from power, it seems clear that Trump intends for the US to control the future of Venezuela for an extended period of time, instead of handing over control to Venezuelan political leaders.

The aim is clear, to control and exploit the vast oil reserves of Venezuela for American benefit.

This action of military intervention was done without consultation with Congress, and violates the War Powers Act of 1973, and it gives the US the old image of being the Imperialist nation in Latin America, which has a long, disgraceful history for the past two centuries.

To believe that the takeover militarily by the United States will occur without any reaction within Venezuela is to believe in fairy tales, as the economic and personal cost of American military lives is quite certain in a negative fashion.

For a President who had claimed he believed in isolationism, to switch his views diametrically opposite, makes one realize this is all about money (Oil) and ego!

The Iowa And Kansas Gubernatorial Races 2026

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Two Midwestern states, traditionally Republican, have Gubernatorial races in 2026, where there might be some hope for Democrats.

In Iowa, Governor Kim Reynolds has decided not to seek a third term, and at this point, Congressman Randy Feenstra is the likely nominee of the Republican Party, while the Democrats have Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand, who is 43 years old, and has managed to be elected twice since 2018, as the only Democrat winning state wide. Sand is, at this point, leading Feenstra in public opinion polls by a small margin.

In Kansas, Democratic Governor Laura Kelly is term limited, after winning the office in the 2018 “Blue Wave” election and gaining a second term in 2022.

Ethan Corson, a member of the State Senate and age 43, is the most likely Democratic nominee, but Kansas is strongly Republican, so it is unlikely, based upon history, that Corson will be able to win the Governorship, although he has been endorsed by Governor Kelly. Additionally, Kansas State Senator Cindy Holscher is competing for the Governorship.

A number of Republican state officeholders are seeking the nomination of their party, including Ty Masterson, the President of the Kansas State Senate; Vicki Schmidt, the Kansas Insurance Commissioner; and Scott Schwab, the Kansas Secretary of State.

It would seem that Iowa might go Democratic, but Kansas seems likely to return the Governorship to the Republican party.

The Inspirational Inaugural Address Of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani

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The inaugural address of NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani on New Year’s Day was inspirational, and there is a need for critics to pause, and give the young Democratic Socialist Mayor an opportunity to promote his programs, before going on the attack.

To this author and blogger, Mamdani reminded him in many ways of Barack Obama and his Inaugural Address in 2009.

The youngest NYC Mayor in more than a century; the first South Asian and Muslim Mayor; and a rare immigrant Mayor—sworn in by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, demonstrated his charisma and commitment to his ideas, which some see as attacking billionaires and oligarchs, who clearly see him as a threat.

Also, the Jewish population is concerned due to Mamdani’s Muslim religion, including being sworn in on a Quran, rather than a Bible. Also, the fact that the new Mayor has been harshly critical of Israel’s massive war on Gaza, which led to more than 70,000 deaths, with many seen as avoidable, has caused great stress.

Many might think that his “Socialist” goals are “pie in the sky”, but the thought is that his ideas and programs should be given a chance to succeed, as the voting population was strongly in favor of his election.

In any case, Mamdani’s Mayoralty has to be better than the disastrous tenure of now former Mayor Eric Adams over the past four years, with lots of corruption and conflicts of interest.

Two Former Republicans Running As Democrats In Gubernatorial Races In Georgia And Florida

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In the highly significant states of Georgia and Florida, with Republican Governors retiring, there is a hopeful opportunity for two former Republicans who have switched to the Democratic Party due to Donald Trump’s abuses, to compete for their states’ governorships.

In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp is term limited, and Democrats are seen as having a good chance to gain the Governorship, even though the state legislature is heavily Republican.

The Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, is a possible Republican choice, who had to deal with Donald Trump’s attempt to try to fix the Georgia Presidential election results in 2020, and refused to cooperate with Trump.

But Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, in office in the present term, is favored in public opinion polls and in endorsements, having succeeded former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, who repudiated his Republican ties and has become a Democrat. He is one of two most likely Democratic choices, with the other being former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, with Bottoms at this point way ahead in endorsements and polling.

In the state of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis is term limited, and the Republican Party has two major competitors to succeed him as the party nominee. They are Northern Florida Congressman Byron Donalds, and former State Speaker of the House Paul Renner, but with present short term Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins possibly entering the race, supposedly with the backing of Governor DeSantis.

Donalds is, at this point, way ahead in polling and endorsements, but subject to possible changes

The Democrats, who have not won the governorship since 1994, see their best chance with former Republican Congressman David Jolly, who has heavy polling and endorsement support, but will have a challenge from Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Sadly, in both Georgia and Florida, it will be a major accomplishment if the Democrats win either race, with the odds in Florida a bit better, as polls indicate a tight race between Donalds and Jolly at this point.

Trump Administration In Violation Of Five Amendments: First, Fourth, Fifth, Tenth, Fourteenth!

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The Donald Trump Presidency, the most abusive and unconstitutional Administration by far in American history, is openly defying five constitutional Amendments, including four that are the basic Bill of Rights.

First Amendment–Freedom of speech, press, and assembly

Fourth Amendment–No unreasonable search and seizure, and no warrants to be issued without probable cause

Fifth Amendment–No deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process of law

Tenth Amendment–The powers not specifically delegated to the federal government, are reserved to the states

Fourteenth Amendment–No denial or limits on due process and equal protection of the laws

The actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota in particular, and in Chicago, Los Angeles, Maine, and soon to be in Ohio, and a threat to other “Blue” states and cities, is a massive abuse of power, that needs to be condemned, and opposed vigorously in court cases.

Such organizations as the American Civil Liberties Union; Common Cause; Southern Poverty Law Center; People For The American Way; Southern Christian Leadership Conference; Public Citizen are involved in constant law suits and investigations to protect our civil liberties, protect democracy, and promote the rule of law.

The Upcoming California Gubernatorial Race In 2026

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California, the largest state in population, with 39 million people, will have a new Governor elected in 2026, as two term Governor Gavin Newsom, is term limited, but will certainly be pursuing the Democratic nomination for President in 2028, with many early polls indicating he is the frontrunner at this point.

California has been a reliably Democratic state since the 1990s, so although Republicans will contest the election, the odds are very heavy against any opportunity for success.

There are a multitude of potential candidates in both parties, with the Republicans’ most likely choice seen as probably Steve Hilton, a political commentator for Fox News Channel, and who in the past, worked for the British government.

Former Vice President Kamala Harris, the losing Presidential nominee in 2024, decided NOT to seek the Governorship, and is still considering a Presidential campaign for 2028.

The Democrats have many potential candidates, but the two that stick out the most are former Congresswoman Katie Porter, former candidate for the US Senate in 2024, and Congressman Eric Swalwell, with Swalwell at this point in the lead in public opinion polls.

But Xavier Becerra, former Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Joe Biden, and former California Attorney General; and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, cannot be ignored.

The view of this author and blogger is that Eric Swalwell would be the best, most electable Democrat, although before his entrance into the race, Katie Porter was seen as the frontrunner.

The Upcoming Alabama Gubernatorial Race In 2026

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The first in a series of articles analyzing 2026 races for Governor and the US Senate will be on the Alabama Gubernatorial Race.

With Republican Governor Kay Ivey ineligible to run for a third term, the Republican nominee will be present US Senator Tommy Tuberville, with his Democratic opponent being former three year Senator Doug Jones.

Tuberville, a former renowned football coach, most notably at Auburn University, but also at three other institutions, ran for the Senate in 2020, and defeated Doug Jones, who had won the seat to finish the term of former Senator Jeff Sessions, who had become Attorney General under Donald Trump in 2017.

Jones had a distinguished background as a federal prosecutor, who became most noted for successful prosecution of two Ku Klux Klan members for the infamous Birmingham Church Bombing in 1963, which caused the death of four African American girls, accomplishing this nearly four decades later. He was the only recent Democrat to hold office in recent times, as Alabama had become highly Republican, and remains so.

So this is a second time of these two men opposing each other, with Tuberville gaining a reputation of being an extreme MAGA Republican, supportive of everything Donald Trump espouses. He has often uttered outrageous statements and beliefs, and shocked many by his persona.

It will be difficult for Jones to triumph in this Senate race, but if anyone can be perceived as having the potential to do so, it is Doug Jones, who this author and blogger highly respects!

With 2026 Upon Us In Three Days, Time To Examine Gubernatorial And Senatorial Race Potential For Democrats In Midterm Elections 2026!

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With the Midterm Elections ten months away and the year 2026 about to arrive, it is time to examine the potential for Democratic victories in state Gubernatorial elections and in US Senate elections.

So unless there is significant news about Donald Trump, who already monopolizes news coverage to the point of obscenity, this author and blogger plans to focus on competitive elections that will have an effect on state governments and the US Senate, moving forward.

At this point, it would seem as if there are 11 Gubernatorial elections that will be competitive and significant.

Also, at this point, there are an equal number of 11 US Senate races that are to be seen as competitive and significant.

My intention is to examine each one of these races, and welcome comments by readers, over a period of weeks.

Today, I will list the states that have potential impact for both sets of races.

For the Governorship, these states, alphabetically, are:

Alabama
California
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Kansas
Michigan
New Mexico
Ohio
Oklahoma
Wisconsin

For the US Senate, these states, alphabetically, are:

Iowa
Kentucky
Maine
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Ohio
Texas

Presidents With Narcissistic Personality Disorder

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Many public figures have the psychological condition known as “Narcissistic Personality Disorder”, as well as do millions of ordinary citizens, wanting constant attention and adoration.

Among them are a substantial group of American Presidents, nearly one of every four Chief Executives.

The list would include, in chronological order:

Andrew Jackson
Andrew Johnson
Theodore Roosevelt
Woodrow Wilson
Franklin D. Roosevelt
John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard Nixon
Bill Clinton
Donald Trump

The most destructive Presidents with this syndrome, clearly, are Donald Trump, Richard Nixon, Andrew Jackson, and Andrew Johnson in the long run of history, in that ranked order.

The other six listed here, while possessing NPD, can be seen as having a greater, overall, positive influence on their time in office, despite their shortcomings and weaknesses.

Of course, this above list and the judgment on these Presidents is subject to debate and discussion, which is welcomed in comments!

The US Senate: Highly Undemocratic, And More So In Future With 15 States Having 70 Percent Of Population, But Only 30 Seats In Senate

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The future of American democracy is in danger from more than Donald Trump and an extremist right wing majority on the US Supreme Court.

The US Senate, considered the greatest legislative institution in the world, has, from its inception, been highly undemocratic in nature, with its idea of states rights, and every state having the same amount of representation.

So in a nation that now has 340 million people, we have the 15 smallest states in population, all tending to be Republican for a long term, have about 41 million people combined, and have 30 seats in the Senate.

At the same time, California, the largest populated state with about 39 million people, has 2 seats in the Senate.

So the estimate is that by 2040, only 15 years from now, 70 percent of the United States will be represented by just 30 US Senators, while the remaining Americans, disproportionately whiter, older, and more rural, will have 70 US Senators.

This will make progress and revival of policies and programs, that are now rapidly being demolished, ever the harder to achieve.

This means the great advances of American democracy from the time of Democratic and Republican Presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, George H W Bush, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, and Joe Biden will, in many cases, be permanently impossible to revive, due to the deleterious effect of Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Donald Trump on American democracy and the rule of law.