El Chapo and Trump: parallels

A recent article in "The Guardian," covered the marriage of drug lord El Chapo's daughter in a Culiacan cathedral to the son of another prominent drug cartel figure. It reminded me of a scene in "Godfather Two," where Michael Corleone is standing as Godfather at the baptism of his nephew and reciting vows, one of which is "I renounce the devil," while at the same moment his henchmen are mowing down his opposition in the underworld.

Mafia figures in that novel had the acceptance of many elements of society and of the Catholic church. To seasoned Mexico observers the Chapo wedding offered an uncomfortable reminder of organized crime’s influence in many pockets of that country, its ability to ingratiate itself into society at large, and its relationship with the Catholic church.

Mexico's Amlo says El Chapo 'had the same power' as past presidents

 

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“It is a reminder of how deeply embedded and powerful the Guzmán family remains in Sinaloa’s society. They are effectively part of the elite,” said Falko Ernst, senior Mexico analyst for the International Crisis Group. “They are treated as such by other members of the elite, including parts of the church.” Mexico has accepted its drug cartels as members of society, in other words.

I see sickening parallels to what's happening in Mexico to what's happening in the United States. Quoting "The Guardian" about the Trump administration, ... "democracy, civility, truth" are threatened ... This US administration is establishing new norms of behavior. Anger and cruelty disfigure public discourse and lying is commonplace. Truth is being chased away."

In the United States, we've accepted the rudeness, incivility, and lies of Donald Trump and the Republican  party as part of every day life. The Presidency, once considered a moral office, has now become just a platform for a foul-mouthed, condescending, and insulting bad actor. Rampant disinformation, partisan news sources, and social media's tsunami of fictionalized news are making things worse.

The GOP is thumbing their noses at the rule of law as it applies to the White House and to the need for Congress to work together for the common good. What's even worse is the fact that Donald Trump is just the organ grinder's monkey. It's the organ grinder that we should be worried about, the politicians who support him and the people who voted for them. They walk among us. They are us, for as that great philosopher Pogo once said, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

If Americans don't elect a new President in 2020, maintain Democratic control of the House of Representatives, and get control of the Senate, the First Amendment may soon be on its way out.