Analyzing the history of Venezuela, before and during the presidency of Chávez. Oil money enabled him to implement socialist measures without curbing the power of the oligarchs, so the oligarchs were never weakened, and now they appear to plan to use Guaidó to take power again.

Thus, Venezuela faces the choice between an acutely repressive government and a permanently unjust government.

US citizens: support common-sense gun control measures.

If you sign, please spread the word!

US citizens: call on Congress to defend abortion rights from obstructive arbitrary requirements.

While this bill has no chance of becoming law under this administration, it's important that we build momentum and support for it now.

If you sign, please spread the word!

US citizens: call on Congress to make Amazon and other large companies pay their fair share of taxes.

If you sign, please spread the word!

US citizens: if your congresscritter was newly elected last November, phone per office to explain the problems with the distractive, inadequate network neutrality bills.

I have seen this advice for an effective call.

• Contact your members of Congress only. Calls from people who aren’t constituents typically aren’t as effective.
• Be respectful to staffers. Even if you feel really strongly about an issue, always show them the same respect you would want yourself.
• Keep your call under a minute.
• Request a response if you want an update. Being added to the response database will earn you automatic updates if any of your representatives take action.
• Leaving a voicemail is just as effective. Sometimes lines are busy or staffers are away. Thankfully, voicemails are checked daily and tallied just like calls. Just remember to leave your full street address.

If you phone, please spread the word!