The derangement of the current White House has affected the wider society over the past two years: increased hate crimes, loss of civility, amazing ethical lapses of government department secretaries. In recent weeks, derangement has broken through its few confinements, bringing the government shutdown, chaos in our foreign military/political involvements, and the likely worst stock market performance since 2008.
In response, our “Outstanding Leader” is seeking targets to blame: the Democrats for the shutdown, the Fed for the stock market, and Gen. James Mattis for cooperating with other countries.
He is missing the real culprit: Mexico.
Its culpability is seen most clearly in the government shutdown. Recall that Mexico was going to pay for the wall. To quote: “I will build a great great wall on our southern border and I’ll have Mexico pay for that wall.”
Despite Trump’s great negotiating ability, Mexico refuses to pay. He and Fox News should place blame appropriately, perhaps then encouraging boycotts of Mexican food, the likely Oscar-nominated movie “Roma,” and the Mexican actress Salma Hayek.
Mexico is also calling into question the “America First” foreign policy. While our “old lunatic” (according to Kim Jong-un) sends troops to waste their time on the border resisting the long-forgotten “caravan,” Mexico has started an effort to improve the lives of people in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala.
Maybe we can’t blame Mexico for the stock market “correction.” Then again, President Andrés Manuel López Obrador came into office on Dec. 1 and, unless there is a quick reversal, this month will have been the worst December in living memory. Case made?
Ken Jameson, Salt Lake City
