I was just thinking….
The reality is that there is a singular head of the country who has caused some very deep divides among the population. He is known for saying controversial things about his opponents and his own achievements. He governs in a very hands-on fashion, a style which many call autocratic. That style is accentuated by the fact that he has family members serving within his administration, affirming decisions and positions which are not always popular. It’s not helped by the fact that he is wealthy and that there are so many within the country who are in serious need.
The government has seemed to be consumed by controlling the press, one of the foundations of a strong democratic government. It has repeatedly discounted any news story that is critical of policy or the president himself. As a result, the president only speaks with media which represents his positions favorably. For example, even long after the election results of last year, the administration continues to challenge how many voted.
Even in this age of unprecedented political divide, where polarization is the norm, the administration has adopted an extraordinary agenda of intense marginalization of those who do not support the party in power. It might mean losing one’s job. Loyalty is prized above all other traits, even at the expense of truth and integrity. Within the administration, officials follow only the party line as the singular means to the truth, even to the demonization of those who disagree.
A continuing puzzle is the apparent friendliness of the government toward Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin. Unlike a vast majority of nations of the Western Hemisphere, this government has been silent in criticisms of Russia and consistently praising of Putin as a great leader. Perhaps there is some expectation of return favors in the future, but the government raises suspicions by its unusual posture and kid-glove handling of Russia. Are we, in fact, independent of “the bear?”
This is one of only three nations to decline participation in the 2016 Paris Climate Agreement. Whether that effort is sufficient to have a significant impact upon climate change, the country’s unwillingness to participate in the agreement along with 195 other countries creates a signal of dissonance with the rest of the global community. There is a great deal of disappointment within the country over the unwillingness of government to work with the other nations of the planet in addressing the global warming threat.
So are my musings about Nicaragua, with some interesting comparisons to the U.S., or vice versa? The reality of both countries is that there is great distress as a result of increasing polarity and fewer opportunities for full participation in society.
Maybe we’re more alike than we think….