Mafioso
As an American of Sicilian descent (both sides), if I had a nickel for every time I was introduced to someone and their response was “oh, so is your family in the Mafia?”, I’d be a very wealthy man. I’m always reserved in responding with a simple but emphatic “ah, NO!” while at the same time wondering if people realized how truly insulting that is. It’s a stereotype that I detest and for obvious reasons. My family as did the overwhelming number of other Sicilian-Americans, worked hard and HONESTLY to become part of the American Dream. We hated the idea that some might think our success was ill-gotten.
Thanks to the plethora of Hollywood gangster movies, Organized Crime has been heavily romanticized. It can make for great entertainment, but it also gives people a perverse sense that these Mafia chieftains are men with a great sense of honor. This makes for great character development because it makes them real, i.e. they DO have honor but only within THEIR world. However, it’s also one that includes wanton violence against those who would stand against them. Remember the line in the film The Godfather, “I made him an offer he couldn’t refuse?” People loved it while forgetting it’s true meaning: sign or die, the ultimate “might makes right” mindset.
In other words, while appealing and even admirable to some for its clear, simple message, others see it for the abhorrent behavior it really is. They even have a term for a person who practices this type of negotiating tactic: THUG.
That’s what disturbs me so much about our current President, Vice President, and Administration. If you went to the encyclopedia and looked up the word, thug, I believe that you might find a photo of Mr. Trump next to the definition. With every Executive Action, policy statement, and negotiation he does so with the ethos of a Mafia Capo, i.e. “I told him either his signature or his brains would be on that contract” (another legendary line from The Godfather). This behavior was never more apparent than his recent disaster of a negotiation with Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine. As we all know, President Zelensky has been a pillar of strength, guiding his Country through 3 bloody years of resistance to RUSSIA’S ILLEGAL INVASION. He traveled to the Oval Office in attempt to secure the U.S.’s support for their war efforts. It was rumored that a deal was in place that we would continue our support in exchange for a percentage of Ukraine’s vast mineral wealth.
Well, that’s when Trump’s and Vance’s diplomatic skills went on display for the entire world to see. They devolved into the THUGS we know them to be and with their best Mafioso negotiating technique, basically said to Zelensky, either your signature or your brains will be on this contract.
The shameful spectacle that followed was virtually universally condemned with MANY world leaders expressing their outrage at both how Zelensky was treated and the substance of the message, i.e. our way or the highway. Of course, among the mindless sycophants known as the GOP, Fox News, and his minions there was admiration for his tough negotiating skills and take-no-prisoner's approach. Nonsense. It’s the tactic of a bully who has no brains or vision.
There was a time when Making America Great Again meant leading the world on the path to freedom and equality for all Nations and People. We WERE the shining City on a Hill, a beacon of light and liberty to everyone throughout the world to see. And we were willing to fight for ourselves and all others who shared the same ideals.
And where are we now? I’m afraid that light is fading and will continue to do so as long as our Country is being run as a criminal enterprise. That doesn’t Make America Great Again. It just leaves us morally bankrupt.
