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Sandinistas, Nothing Changed for Them

20 November 2008 by poblete

A new chapter in a once promising story for Central American democracy is being written in the streets of Managua. Faced with possible defeats at the ballot box, it appears as if elements of the Sandinista Party have devolved to their old, Cold War ways.  

In an speech before a Joint Session of the U.S. Congress in 1983 on the strategic importance of Central America to the United States, President Ronald Reagan said that “[v]iolence has been Nicaragua’s most important export to the world.”  Back then, Nicaragua was ruled by dictator Ortega.  Well, less than two years in office since his election to President by about 38% of the vote, and it appears that not much as changed since the 1980s.

Ever since coming to power, the Sandinistas moved swiftly to pick up where they left off.  With the assistance of Cuba and Venezuela, they have attempted to erode democratic rule, free markets, and rule of law.  Rather than work for regional security and stability, the Sandinistas have worked to undermine it by inviting our enemies, such as Iran, to set up operations in the region.  They openly support terrorist groups such as the FARC in Colombia. 

The Sandinistas biggest crime, however, is their attempted destruction of a democratic state based on freedom.  They want to turn Nicaragua over to the Bolivarian Alternative led by Cuba and Venezuela.  A misguided and backward looking idea, the Bolivarian Alternative will surely fail.  It will fall under its own petard because it is based on socialist thinking and led by criminals.

A majority of Nicaraguans do not want a return to the days of the Cold War.  Rather than allow the Sandinistas steal key elections, the opposition, too, has taken to the streets and demanded transparency, rule of law, and a recount. They do not want to go the way of Ecuador or Bolivia.  Nicaraguans do not want the Foro de Sao Paolo, through a Bolivarian Alternative, further entrenched in Nicaraguas’ body politic.

We cannot allow the Bolivarian Axis to get a firmer footing in Central America.  Cuba and Venezuela have failed in Nicaragua, now they seek to take by force what they could not take by subterfuge and twisting of Nicaraguan laws.  

The United States needs to support the close to 60% of Nicaragua that did not vote for Daniel Ortega in 2006.  Faced with a militant wing of radical Sandinistas leaders, the opposition is powerless.  We need to send a clear message that we mean business.  

The U.S. Congress and Bush Administration can start by curtailing foreign assistance to the Sandinista government.  U.S. taxpayers should not underwrite a Sandinista state or, worse, a take over by the Bolivarian Alternative.  Regional powers should chime in and call for calm and ask rational Sandinista leaders, if any remain, that the violence has to stop and that the electoral processes be honored.

During the past few decades, Americans have invested a great deal in Nicaraguan democracy.  While Nicaragua’s road to democratic rule has been fraught with many challenges, it held great promise until the election of the Sandinistas in 2006.  If the Nicaraguan opposition requests U.S. assistance, we should be prepared to assist.   In a post-09.11.11 world, there is a lot more at stake in the region than just one country.

Posted in Latin America, Nicaragua, current events, national security | Tagged , , , , , , | No Comments »

Foreign Assistance to Nicaragua Needs to Be Reviewed and Likely Curtailed

18 November 2008 by poblete

It appears as if elements of the leftist Sandinista Party of Nicaragua are back to their old, Cold War ways. Sandinista supporters donning masks and wielding weapons attacked the opposition leader yesterday while he was on his way to greet opposition supporters.  

The violence stems from alleged wide-spread electoral fraud during last week’s election that gave the leftists key victories in municipal elections including races for key posts such as the Managua mayorship.  Since the more conservative Constitutional Liberal Party have called for rule of law and transparency in the electoral processes, and refuses to give any ground to the Sandinistas, the Sandinista leaders have called on supporters to take to the streets and, if necessary, intimidate opposition supporters until they give up. 

Daniel Ortega’s Nicaragua has been lurching left ever since Ortega was elected President with about 38% of the vote in 2006.  For Ortega, the Sandinistas return to power has always been about continuing the Sandinista Revolution he was forced to give up during the Cold War.  

With regards to the Western Hemisphere, Ortega works against the United States at every turn.  He has allied Nicaragua with Communist Cuba, Socialist Venezuela, and their supporters throughout the Americas and the world.  Ortega rolled out the red carpet for Iran, a state sponsor of terrorism.  He supports regional terrorist groups such as Colombia’s FARC.  Earlier this year he severed diplomatic relations with Colombia because he was upset that Colombia won a decisive victory against FARC terrorists.  He has also sided with Russia and China on various key issues.  

In Nicaragua, the Ortega wing of the Sandinista Party is eroding Nicaraguan democracy, rule of law, and free market enterprise.  The recent electoral violence is par for the course: what you cannot take by law, you take by force.  It has become harder to conduct business in Nicaragua ever since the Sandinista barely won in 2006.  Private property is start to come under attack, again.  

Individuals and groups whose human rights were violated by the Sandinistas during the Cold War have been blocked from Nicaraguan courts.  Just ask the Miskito Indians who, to this day, still seek justice for crimes committed against them. What crimes?  Supporting the opposition against the Sandinistas during the Cold War. 

These and many other examples of Sandinista leadership make a clear case for starting to curtail U.S. assistance to Nicaragua.  U.S. taxpayers are generous, but not dumb.  If you want to take money from the U.S., you will need to be held accountable for your actions.

U.S. law states that “[t]he successful transition of a developing country is dependent upon the quality of its economic and governance institutions. Rule of law, mechanisms of accountability and transparency, security of person, property, and investments, are but a few of the critical governance and economic reforms that underpin the sustainability of broad-based economic growth.” 22 USC 2151-1(b)(17)  

If you dug deeper and reviewed all of our foreign assistance laws, you would find U.S. taxpayer investments in the form of foreign assistance giving to Nicaragua have been inconsitent with our laws.  Last week, I wrote a summary of the Millennium Challenge Account and how Nicaragua had violated the terms of the agreement that conditioned the assistance.  It is just one example of many.  

Given recent events in Nicaragua, the Congress and the Administration should order a complete review of U.S. foreign assistance to Nicaragua.  As practicable, such a review should also take into account monies contributed by our allies in the region as well as in Europe.  Monies and loans by international institutions should also come under scrutiny.  Once a review is completed, a calibrated response can be crafted. 

The Ortega wing of the Sandinista Party needs to account for its misdeeds.   Through its actions it has demonstrated that it is not ready for duties of operating in a democratic and free state.  U.S. taxpayers should not be forced to underwrite what appears to be a devolution of Nicaraguan democracy, rule of law, and free enterprise.

Posted in Latin America, Nicaragua, United States, current events, national security, politics, sanctions | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Obama-Biden, Czar-crazed

12 November 2008 by poblete

It seems as if the Obama-Biden team does not want to wait for the Constitutionally-appointed time to take the reins of power.  It is a made-for-Hollywood transition down to the very last detail.  In fact, during a local news broadcast yesterday the segment on the transition cued music during the introduction from the popular television series, The West Wing.  If that is how they want to lead, then then loyal opposition should be at the ready.  

Let’s talk czars. 

Even before a full cabinet has been tentatively selected, it seems as if the Obama-Biden Administration may seek to appoint several at-large policy advisors or “czars.”  There have been reports of a possible Tech Czar, a Bailout Czar, an Energy or Climate Czar,  an Environment Czar, an Urban Planning Czar, and a Latin American Czar.  We already have a Drug Czar, a Weapons of Mass Destruction or WMD Czar, a Cyber Security Czar, and the Afghanistan/Iraq War Czar.   Congress recently passed legislation creating the position of an Anti-Piracy/Copyright Czar.

Rather than cutting back on the use of these senior policy advisors and empowering Senate-confirmed officials, the Obama-Biden teams seems to be creating more posts to hand out as political favors.   If they really want to “change” how Washington does business, they should focus on filling cabinet ranks with quality people and eliminate most of these floating advisors or czar slots. 

The 2008 edition of the “U.S. Government Policy and Supporting Positions,” will soon be released and will least the more than 7,000 leadership and support positions available for the Obama-Biden team to fill.  Colloquially called The Plum Book, its creation and publication was commenced by the Eisenhower Administration because the Republican Party had no idea how many jobs it could fill after the massive growth of the federal government under Democrats Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman.

Both Democratic and Republican Administrations have used these free-floating advisors in some form or another.  However, if the Obama-Bidean sticks with curent plans, it may shatter all records for use of these, essentially, free agents.   Not the most efficient use of taxpayer monies and a senseless proliferation of policy power in a federal government that needs less, not more power or appointed officials.

Posted in Congress, Democrats, U.S. Politics, current events, politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Gov. Sanford: Conservatives didn’t lose election, GOP did

11 November 2008 by poblete

Republican South Carolina Mark Sanford penned the following item for CNN.com.  Well worth a read: 

For all Americans, this election represents another glass ceiling broken, and in the words of my 16-year-old, “That’s very cool.” The election of the first black president is an inspiring and transformational moment for our country.

I am happy for President-elect Barack Obama, and for many who supported him. They and, in many cases, their ancestors fought for this day for centuries as they experienced first-hand the unthinkable wrong of segregation. As an American, I wish him every success.

Beyond the presidential race, it goes without saying the Republican Party took a shellacking nationally. Some on the left will say our electoral losses are a repudiation of our principles of lower taxes, smaller government and individual liberty. But Tuesday was not in fact a rejection of those principles — it was a rejection of Republicans’ failure to live up to those principles.

The rest of the Sanford piece available at CNN.com.  For a related item penned earlier this week, read this.

Posted in Congress, Democrats, Republicans, U.S. Politics, current events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

U.S.-Cuba Policy, One Opportunity to Get it Right in the Near Term

11 November 2008 by poblete

The speculation about the future of U.S.-Cuba policy started long before the 2008 elections were known.  Those wanting to ease restrictions on the island longed for toppling one of the three Members of Congress in Miami who advocate a tough stance against Cuba.  They cited polls that a new generation of voters wanted a “change” in policy, that it was more interested in other issues besides Cuba. 

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) poured millions of dollars into South Florida banking on a win.  Speaker Nancy Pelosi and others high-ranking Democratic leaders campaigned several times in Miami.  Liberal Cuban-Americans and other organizations more interested in getting into Cuba than winning, also directed money and people to Democratic congressional candidates.  Add to this a perfect national political storm that severely handicapped Republicans, and the Democrats had the best chance ever to pick up seats in this area.  Well, they lost.  Again.

The fact remains that in the Congressional Districts that matter most with regards to U.S.-Cuba policy, the 2008 elections sent a clear message to the incoming Obama-Biden Administration: the hard-line position against state sponsors of terror is a good thing.   The losers can crunch all the poll data they want but a majority of a new generation of voters from all backgrounds do not like dictators or rewarding them. 

Electoral wins notwithstanding, the three South Floridian Members of Congress have a tough road ahead with regards to the future of U.S.-Cuba policy.  Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.), and Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.) will not only need to contend with a more liberal and pro-engagement Congress, but must also work with an ntested White House and Latin America policy team that has already indicated it would be open to a dialogue with Cuban dictator Raul Castro.  Add to this list the Republicans who already support engagement with the island. 

Easing Sanctions Would Be Counter-Productive, Aiding Terrorism

Expectations ran high during the past eight years that the Bush Administration would be able to bring an end to the Cuban dictatorship once and for all.  That was not to be.  Overtaken by more pressing matters and priorities in the world, Cuba was primarily an exercise in crisis aversion and expectations management by interested parties.  Farmers were allowed to sell record-breaking amounts of food to Cuba, while advocates of a more robust isolation policy rewarded, eventually, with limiting travel and remittances. 

While Cuba is no better than Iran or North Korea, a re-focus of U.S.-Cuba policy in a post-09.11.01 world, at least not that we publicly know about, never materialized during the past eight years.  In fact, it was quite the opposite.  Notwithstanding strong opposition from many government officials, the Bush Administration licensed medical cooperation with a Cuban biotechnology facility suspected of bio-terrorism programs and a U.S. company. 

As disheveled as our approach has been up until now, it makes no sense to ease any restrictions on the island at the time.  Quite the opposite.  Easing sanctions would be counterproductive and would aid a state sponsor of terrorism.  The Cuban Communist Party has no interest in better relations with the United States, its only interest is to remain politically entrenched and in control of the means of production.  The much ballyhooed transfer of power from one dictator to another has brought about stylistic changes, no substantive reforms.  The powers that be are struggling.  We should make it harder for them, not easier.

U.S. Laws and Regulations Should Be Enforced, Not Ignored

For opponents of U.S. policy toward Cuba, our laws are quite inconvenient yet they clearly state what Cuba needs to do to secure concessions from the United States.  Our laws also state that the Secretary of State should encourage our allies to assist us in ushering freedom to Cuba.  By robustly enforcing U.S. laws and securing cooperation from our allies we could end the stranglehold of the Cuban Communist Party is rather short order.  The incoming Obama Administration should begin by focusing on these principles and not implement what would amount to an emotional, knee-jerk reaction by easing family travel and remittances. 

The Obama Administration should put U.S. interests first by focusing on how a resolution of the Cuba matter will impact other matters in the Americas.  As the ideological head of the political left in the Americas, the eventual win by freedom in Cuba will have a devastating effect on affiliated movements in Venezuela and its Bolivarian Alternative movement throughout the Americas. 

Cuba must also cease aiding terrorists and the countries that support them, such as Iran, and publicly disclose and dismantle its biological weapons programs.  It must free all political prisoners, legalize political opposition, and hold free and fair elections.  Until it does these things and other items that have been U.S. law for some time, the U.S. and Cuba has absolutely nothing to discuss.

The Obama Administration has one opportunity to get this right.  If they are genuinely interested in change in this area, it will heed the victories in South Florida, focus on U.S. law and our national interests, and construct an overall approach to Cuba that looks beyond the Cuban Communist Party.   If it fails to do so and caves to pressure by outside groups to ease sanctions, it will surely put us on the path to the very problems that our country seeks to avoid vis-a-vis Cuba.  And, in the long-term, will lay a foundation that will work against the very core of our policy:  a peaceful transition to freedom and a return of democratic rule in Cuba.

Posted in Cuba, Economic Sanctions, Latin America, Western Hemisphere, current events, national security, terrorism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | No Comments »

Iran’s Growing Penetration of the Americas, Courtesy of Latin American Leftist Leaders and Interests

10 November 2008 by poblete

“The core of this effort is fueled primarily by Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez and Communist Cuba.  This Lernaean Hydra also breathes its ideological poison with fellow travelers in Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and political parties and business interests throughout Latin America and the Caribbean…” 

The incoming Obama-Biden Administration has been making the perfunctory statement that it will pay closer attention to Latin America and the Caribbean.  Although the U.S. already has the resources to operate effectively in the region, the Obama team has said it will, as did Bill Clinton, appoint a special envoy.  Whatever strategy they decide to implement, Iran’s growing presence in our immediate sphere of influence should be at the top of its list of regional priorities. 

Last month Gabriel Calebrese penned an interesting op-ed on Iran’s growing presence in the Western Hemisphere, “Iran’s Strategic Gamble.”  It provides a good summary of Iranian antics in the Americas.  Calebrese also argues that the “Latin American Left has consistently complained about North American interference in Venezuela’s domestic affairs, it has completely ignored the dangerous infiltration of Iran’s radical regime.”   True.  But what if this dance with Iranian regime was by design?

When you break it down, country by country, Latin America’s Left has invited the Iranians to operate with impunity in the Western Hemisphere.  The U.S. has been somewhat powerless to stop the penetration because Latin American Leftists do not want close relations with the U.S.  The core of this effort is fueled primarily by Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez and Communist Cuba.  This Lernaean Hydra also breathes its ideological poison with fellow travelers in Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and political parties and business interests throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Of most things done by this group of countries, the self-proclaimed Bolivarian Axis, inviting Iran would have to be the most reckless.  Iran’s growing presence in the Western Hemisphere can only mean one thing, it is here to plan and prepare for global terrorism.  Iranians will use regional financial interests to launder money.  Iranian and Iranian-sponsored terror cells can hide, train, and recruit supporters with relative ease throughout the region.   It views our border with Mexico, and the Southeastern U.S. such as South Florida, as a soft underbelly to enter the U.S.  And, most importantly, it has support from governments and political parties in the region.

The Iranians have supported attacks in South America including the bombings of the Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1994 that killed close to 100 people.  Two years earlier, a blast killed 29 people during a bombing of the Israeli Embassy.   Argentine authorities have linked Iran to both blasts, including Iran-supported groups such as Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah.  Push comes to shove they will do so again and Latin America’s Left has faciliated the process during the past few years.

The Bush Administration has long acknowledged the Iran problem in the Americas, and it has sought to address it in various ways.  However, the Bolivarian, or Anti-American Axis of Latin American powers has ignored repeated requests to stem the flow of Iranian influence in the Americas because it foolishly and recklessly views the Iranian presence as a check on American power.  Little do they know that they cannot control these Iranian interests once allowed to enter the region.  

The Western Hemisphere is no longer just a region that is important for immigration, trade, or the stregthening of democracies.  Thanks in large measure to Latin America’s Left, the region has become a breeding ground and base of operations for radical Islamic terrorism supported by the Iranian regime.   The incoming Obama-Biden Latin America team needs to add Iranian activities in the Americas as a top priority issue.

Posted in Cuba, Iran, Latin America, Nicaragua, U.S. Politics, Venezuela, Western Hemisphere, national security, terrorism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

GOP: Don’t Be Afraid to See What You See … and say so.

8 November 2008 by poblete

In his farewell address to the American people, President Ronald Reagan said: “And don’t be afraid to see what you see.”  Reagan was referring to the Soviet Union, advising that many challenges remained.  The Republican Party needs to do the same before it can succeed re-gaining a majority status.  It will require a fundamental re-making and re-building of the Party structure that does not sacrifice or betray our conservative foundations.

Getting bogged down, or caught up in, the euphoria of the recent elections is not helpful.  Rest assured, it will only increase in the weeks leading to the swearing in of America’s first black President. It is a special and proud moment for our country.  But just as the Democratic Party is wasting no time preparing for that day, the Republicans must do the same.  It will be a center-left, more left than center, government.  They must be exposed.  The GOP must step up.  The GOP must break the shackles of ideological ambivalence. 

By all early indications the Obama-Biden Administration is shaping up to be the most liberal administration in American history. More so than Bill Clinton and Al Gore.  The appointment of Congressman Rahm Emmanuel as White House Chief-of-Staff ensures a left-leaning political and policy ballast.  The Obama-Biden White House will have a Congress led by the most liberal factions of the Democratic Party.  And Congressional Committee Chairmen will further enhance the left’s control on the levers of power.

While he rejected support from Washington, DC’s K Street gang during the campaign, the Obama-Biden planners have opened the transition planning doors to the Democratic power brokers. Even during the brief Republican control of Congress, the Democrats controlled K Street.  Not only will Democratic lawyers and lobbyists will fill the ranks of the Administration, but there will be plenty left over to mind K Street offices (not to mention the media). 

Earlier this week, House Republican Leader John Boehner penned in Red State, “[w]e’ll win the majority back and rebuild our party in the same manner in which President Lincoln built it and President Reagan renewed it: by standing up for the principles of freedom, security, and individual liberty that have defined the GOP since the beginning and continue to resonate with the American people.”  Indeed. 

America remains a center-right country.  While legislative battles shall be waged in the Congress, the true political battlefield remains, as it always has, outside of this town.  While Republicans may not want to admit this, the Party has fought a civil war of its own during the past few years.  As a result, the Party that won landslide elections in 1994 morphed into something indistinguishable from Democrats. 

The 2008 elections should have not surprised the GOP.  Talking right, but leading left led to this dysmal outcome.  Enough voters could not tell the difference between Democrats and Republicans, and Republican candidates were trounced at the polls.

The loyal opposition begins today.  The Party needs to hold the Obama-Biden Administration accountable at every step.  It also needs to focus on re-building the Party at the local, state, and national level.  It will be a mamoth, but necessary undertaking.  The Party must stave off any further Democratic gains in the South.   It must recapture the mid-West and take back Colorado and New Mexico. 

In urban areas and big cities, it must confidently talk to new voters with clear ideas grounded in our conservative philosophy.  We have allowed the left to hijack, and in some cases prostitute, conservative ideals.  They have run candidates that talk right, but govern left.  They need to be called on it, clearly and relentlessly, by advancing our agenda and never being ashamed to do so. 

Finally, the choice for the next Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairman is key.  In the vein of a Lee Atwater or Haley Barbour, it must be someone more interested in winning for the cause, and not aiming for higher office in 2012.  It must be someone not afraid to see the many challenges that lay ahead, but doubly committed to win on a conservative platform of ideas.

If Republicans try to out-Democrat the Democrats, they will fail.  We can reach out to non-traditional voters with ideas, not hollow gimmicky slogans such as “common sense conservatism”  or, worse, balkanizing the electorate along ethnic lines or with other languages, such as Spanish, to make a message point. We need to unite out Party, not divide it.  We want to expand it.  Ideas unite, political gimmicks divide.

The Democrats in Congress and the Obama-Biden team are wasting no time making good on their promise of “change.”  Expect higher taxes, more government, less freedom, and a more dangerous world.  Republicans need to ramp up, fast.  The Party must hold the Democrats accountable at every turn.  And, most importantly, the Party must offer alternative solutions and ideas.  If it does not, it risks becoming a minority movement for decades.  The latter is what the Democrats are banking on.

Posted in Democrats, Republicans, U.S. Politics, current events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Mushy Political Center No More

5 November 2008 by poblete

Barack Obama and Joe Biden made history yesterday. There is no doubt that the Democratic wins have changed the political landscape.  At least from a perception viewpoint, our country has ideologically “changed.”  But you really need to dig a little deeper.

The Obama-Biden win was no landslide, far from it.  While the Democrats won some new seats in the Congress, it was no wave.  With an enemy looking to destroy America, tough economic times, and an unpopular Republican President, the Democratic wins are somewhat unremarkable.  

In spite of the unrelenting onslaught by the liberal left establishment and the other revenge-seeking Republican and conservative haters, John McCain and Sarah Palin fought the good fight.  The results prove it.  The Democrats should have done much better.  McCain, and especially Palin, remind us that America is still, and will remain, a center-right country. 

For Republicans, a well-earned reality check and opportunity.  If Republicans claim the mantle of conservativism, then live it.  Talking conservative, but governing as liberals, is not an option for our new party.  May we relegate common-sense conservatism to the ash bin of political gimmicks, a bin that, ironically, will be used by the new Democrats to lead our country for the next four years.

I found a political silver-lining in South Florida, in my former hometown of Miami, Florida.  Three Cuban-American Members of Congress came under a fierce and well-funded attack by the left.  Waving the “change” talisman, the three Democratic challengers argued that a new generation of voters wanted people in Congress that, among other things, would support engagement, without conditions, with the likes of Communist Cuba.  All of the Democratic challengers lost. 

If there was a message in South Florida it was that the new generation wants more attention focused on lowering taxes and getting governments out of its lives.  If people were upset about resolving the Cuba matter, it was more because the Bush Administration did little to deliver on that promise in eight years. People want an honorable win against Cuban Communism, not appeasement and unrestricted engagement as, we expect, the Democrats will offer in the weeks and months ahead.

Congressional Republicans could be the new loyal opposition.  The Party that rejects government bail outs of private companies and allows the markets and free enterprise to correct problems.  The Party that rejects appeasement with dictators, and advocates peace through strength.  Republicans can be the Party of personal responsibility, not the facilitators of collectivism-a flawed ideology. 

Republicans can never out-Democrat a Democrat; if you do, you will eventually lose.  Theses elections have cleared the ideological divide in our country between the two political parties.  The Democrats are the left, Republicans the right.  The mushy center is no more and we have the key Congressional Republican loses to prove it.  

It is time to remind Americans of all political persuasions what it means to be a conservative, and not be ashamed to do so.  It is not some stuffy ideology or backward manner of thinking.  It is the ideology that made the free world great.  When Republicans run and lead on true conservative ideas, it wins.  That was the case in 1994. Anything less, well, look at the electoral map of 2008.

Posted in U.S. Politics | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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