From a casual inspection, it would seem that the US is on a path similar to that of Venezuela in recent years. Fueled by a low income political voting block, Hugo Chavez was elected in 1998. Since then there has been a steady move to silence political opponents and nationalize a majority of the nations industries (primarily energy and finance). Some would view that as a positive outcome, however my view is socialist governments rarely work on behalf of the people they profess to want to help. Not that the US is a truly free society, but its heritage is one of self-motivated people fueling growth through the power of invention. This is surely in danger of becoming a passing stage.

When I see speakers shouted down at universities or public figures dismissed as racist, it’s a red flag that signals troubled times ahead. When businesses are held hostage by politicians and are unable to function normally then we should be wary as our business might be next. Alas the stage is set and the crowd is coming. I fear we may already be closer than we thought.