Bannon, Trump, and the Fleecing of the Base

One of the most disturbing aspects of the modern era is how a few are trying to enrich themselves. Let me be clear this is a classic of autocracies where the well connected can do what they want. That we still have a somewhat working legal system that is getting in the way is a good sign. The immune system of our political system is still working. If Donald Trump wins a second term that is not going to be the case for too much longer. The barriers in place, as few as still remain, will be gone.

So when the news broke that Steve Bannon was arrested with charges of mail fraud and a few other things, it was not unexpected. Nor was it when he called the arrest a political hit job. It was another episode of how many of the leaders in the far-right see the base of the movement as gullible and unsophisticated boors to take advantage of. In this case, they want to protect the nation from an invasion in a bad imitation of the Camp of the Saints, which Bannon believes in. But the “We Build the Wall” project was a scam.

First, let me say this from the outset until Bannon is convicted in a court of law, all these charges are alleged. It is true that he and the president would prefer a legal system where you have to prove your innocence. For the moment we still live in a system where the state has to prove his guilt. In a true autocracy, He and his people would have no worries. Why? The elite, and he is part of that elite, can do whatever he wants to do. He would effectively be above the law.