Author: Jonathan Simeone

A First Amendment Foreign Policy

Introduction Even though I write largely about American domestic policy, I think a lot about foreign policy. Those who follow my blog know I have lately been reading a lot about America’s terrible history in Latin America. Facing that terrible history and thinking about Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, and more, has led me… Continue reading A First Amendment Foreign Policy

Reviewing the Condor Years

John Dings’s The Condor Years is a critical look at United States foreign policy in Latin America. Based on well-sourced materials including declassified documents from the CIA, Dings shows how America supported brutal dictatorships in Latin America. The book demonstrates how, with differing levels of US support and/or indifference, right-wing dictators killed thousands and tortured… Continue reading Reviewing the Condor Years

Republicans Don’t Care About the Venezuelans

With Donald Trump on his way to a second summit with Kim Jong Un and mindful of the tragedy unfolding in Venezuela, it’s time to point out the obvious: the Republican Party doesn’t care about the people of Venezuela. The Republican Party isn’t bothered by what it calls Maduro’s dictatorial behavior in Venezuela. The Republican… Continue reading Republicans Don’t Care About the Venezuelans

Reviewing Allende’s Chile and the Inter-American Cold War

Allende’s Chile and the Inter-American Cold War is one of the most important books I have ever read about American foreign policy. If you want to gain a real understanding of America’s imperialism, lack of commitment to democracy, and its support of coups, Allende’s Chile and the Inter-American Cold War is for you. Given what… Continue reading Reviewing Allende’s Chile and the Inter-American Cold War

Reviewing Addicted, Pregnant, Poor

Kelly Ray Knight’s Addicted, Pregnant, Poor is an important read. Addicted, Pregnant, Poor tells the stories of women in San Francisco who are addicted to drugs and pregnant. Their stories tell a spectacular story of government failure, discrimination, and cruelty that far too often defines America.

Klobuchar is safe, Centrist, and Unacceptable

I just finished watching a CNN town hall with Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar. While Senator Klobuchar was as centrist as I thought she was, her sincerity and honesty will give her staying power in the race. Even though I have nothing against Klobuchar, her centrist policies make her an unacceptable candidate to me.

Stepped up Basis Explained

So-called stepped up basis is a term most people have never heard of and even fewer understand; however, stepped up basis, as you will see, is a critical component in creating our unfair tax code.