On the morning of 21 December 2017, it became known in the international media that “the Cuban Parliament” – whose most outstanding feature is not having decided anything at all in its more than 40 years of existence – has “just decided” to extend the presidential mandate of General Raúl Castro until 19 April 2018.The real reasons for making a decision that implies another unfulfilled promise on the part of the elderly [g]eneral – who had promised to leave the country’s [p]residency on 24 February 2018 – is a mystery, given that the supposed difficulties introduced in the electoral process [by] Hurricane Irma, which hit the island in early September, [are] too precarious a pretext to be taken seriously[.] …Perhaps the Raulistas are waging a strategic battle in order to guarantee their own continuity at the head of the country, and especially the safeguarding of their economic interests, so everything must be tied and re-tied before the presidency’s transfer to the hands of a loyalist who does not belong to the Historical Generation, avoiding unforeseen and unwanted events.The truly surprising thing is the impression of urgency and instability that is being transmitted, trying to consolidate, in a matter of three months, something that should have been achieved in a decade[.] …But the current constraints of Raulism, in a December that has had more haste than pauses, are not confined to the political plane, but began instead to affect the economic plane. Just a few days ago, on 13 December, untimely “new legal norms” appeared and went into effect over the Cuban business system[.But beyond all speculation we must recognize that the Cuban political landscape is at least confusing. In any other country where the predominant characteristics of the government are hesitation[;] setbacks[;] failure to comply with all its promises[;] and, finally, the postponement of the presidential elections, the situation would be described as a “political crisis.” Not so in Cuba. At least not explicitly. Four generations of Cubans on the island have survived for six decades under conditions of dictatorship, suffering crises of all kinds without even internalizing them as such. How would they perceive the crises that are resolved within the bosom of the olive-green Olympus?
I just heard that salaries in Venezuela are going up faster than anywhere else in the world..........but so is INFLATION..........not a happy new year for the good people of Venezuela...........Cuba and Venezuela the two socialist disasters on this side of the world......— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) January 2, 2018
Senator Hatch will retire in 2018......he will likely be replaced by Mitt Romney......Hatch has been a very good senator and a good guy as well.....we wish him well........I like the idea of a Senator Romney........— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) January 2, 2018
On the morning of 21 December 2017, it became known in the international media that “the Cuban Parliament” – whose most outstanding feature is not having decided anything at all in its more than 40 years of existence – has “just decided” to extend the presidential mandate of General Raúl Castro until 19 April 2018………….
A wave of optimism has swept over American business leaders, and it is beginning to translate into the sort of investment in new plants, equipment and factory upgrades that bolsters economic growth, spurs job creation — and may finally raise wages significantly.I agree with this.
While business leaders are eager for the tax cuts that take effect this year, the newfound confidence was initially inspired by the Trump administration’s regulatory pullback, not so much because deregulation is saving companies money but because the administration has instilled a faith in business executives that new regulations are not coming.
“It’s an overall sense that you’re not going to face any new regulatory fights,” said Granger MacDonald, a home builder in Kerrville, Tex. “We’re not spending more, which is the main thing. We’re not seeing any savings, but we’re not seeing any increases.”
DACA should be on the front pages very soon....I'd be anxious to know if Democrat Senators running for re-election in West Virginia, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota & Montana really want a fight over DACA....my guess is no....— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) January 2, 2018
Why not? They were all invested in the fantasy that Clinton would win....and none of this would ever come out....and then HRC didn’t win.......big story....Exclusive: Prominent lawyer sought donor cash for two Trump accusers ..........https://t.co/2VNZPItHOa— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) January 2, 2018
RIP Ramon Regalado.......Survivor of World War II Bataan Death March Dies at 100 |........RealClearDefense ...........https://t.co/veZ2InQd8P— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) January 2, 2018
Women marching in Iran.....they want more human rights and economic opportunities....where are the international feminists? Maybe they backed off after President Trump supported the marchers........— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) January 2, 2018
Prediction: Senator Franken will resign and go home......and former Governor Pawlenty will win this seat for GOP in November......— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) January 2, 2018