From: Larry Shade
Columbus
Oil experts believe President Trump’s decision to take control of Venezuela’s oil facilities will be a mistake. Years of corruption, under investment, fires and thefts have left their crude facilities in tatters.
Energy experts say reviving Venezuela’s oil industry will take many years and could cost upward of $100 billion. The oil experts warned that the U.S. may have broken international law, while also warning Trump that he doesn’t have congressional or public approval for U.S. taking on a nation-building project. The oil majors have spent the last past several years in a period of taking less risk, shrinking portfolios, and shying away from any new investments as oil prices have fallen and margins have shrunk. They will be reluctant to enter Venezuela in the early years of a transitional government. They will need to see a period of political stability before they risk billions of dollars.
But Trump has now invaded Venezuela and kidnapped their rogue leader. He then sent him to New York for a trial concerning drugs not knowing if the action was legal. Trump says he will now run all operations in Venezuela. But most observers know that controlling the oil is all Trump cares about. Thus when their oil is sold, Trump controls the money. He gave some of the money to the leaders of Venezuela. But Trump has also sent some of the oil money to multiple banks overseas, with the largest amount sent to a bank in Qatar a country who gave Trump a $400 million jet.
He also gave some of the first Venezuela oil sales to a company whose senior oil trader made a huge donation to Trump’s re-election campaign. But Trump did not stop there. He next set his sights on Columbia, Cuba, and Greenland. Trump said that he will take ownership of Greenland either the easy way or the hard way, and if he didn’t take ownership, China or Russia will.
The NATO countries of Germany, France, and others have sent some of their soldiers to Greenland ahead to defer Trump’s crazy idea to attack another NATO country. When will the Republican party do their constitutional duty and stop Trump’s madness?
His tariff policy has been a disaster. Some of our closes allies – Canada, Japan, and South Korea – all are now having communications with China to consider trade deals. Trump’s constant lying has led other countries to have little faith in him when discussing important issues.
The Republicans have a majority in both houses of Congress. It is past time for these Republicans to find the courage and do their constitutional duty to stop Trump from creating more destructive policies that will affect the future of America. The effects of Trump will linger for many years. History will not be kind to this group of Republicans if they fail to do their constitutional duty and stop Trump from ruling America in a king-like manner.
