Trump and Putin Quid pro Quo? Follow the money!!
Investigations of Russian hacking and influence on our elections is well and good. But why did Russia support Trump, and hack elections in his favor? Why does Trump praise Putin, and take actions to support Russian financial interests and global stature?
It’s pretty easy to guess, and thanks to investigative journalists we have some info.
Money. Money. Money.
But we need facts, not guesses. The Donald is on course to be our frigging PRESIDENT. We deserve more than guesses. We deserve to know that we will have a President who is free of undue foreign influence. We deserve a full detailed accounting of his taxes and all his business interests.
What we know:
- Russia supports Trump. CIA says Russia hacked DNC and RNC but only released info to support Trump and oppose Clinton and other Democrats in order to influence our elections. www.nbcnews.com/...
- Trump supports Putin and has extensive political and financial ties to Russia.
- He has lavishly praised Putin for years, www.motherjones.com/...
- He appointed Tillerson, EXXON Mobil Chief and broker of a stalled 500 billion Russia/Exxon deal to Secretary of State -- This deal failed due to US sanctions but its revival would be an enormous financial boost to Russia. The secretary of state could be instrumental in lifting sanctions.
- His pro-Putin advisor and Energy Policy Consultant Carter Page strongly supports easing US sanctions on Russia,
- His Campaign Chair, the morally questionable political advisor and arms dealer, Paul Manafort resigned after it was revealed that he received 12 million in under the table cash payments while advising the Pro-Putin Ukrainian Presidential candidate.
- Russians hold some of Trump’s debt. “Trump has sought and received funding from Russian investors for his business ventures, ...after most American banks stopped lending to him following his multiple bankruptcies.”
Trump is ready to reward Russia handsomely. So Russia's $$ motivations are clear. Trump's are less so, and for one reason only: he refuses to release his taxes and disclose details about his financial interests. So, NO ONE can be certain to what degree Trump’s cabinet choices and foreign policy decisions are driven by financial motivations.
It all points to money. AND TRUMP, UNIQUE AMONG ALL US PRESIDENT-ELECTS, REFUSES TO EVEN RELEASE HIS TAXES.
The top priority of the President of the United States should be United States interests over the interests of foreign nations, and not his own finances.
Congress holds the constitutional power to hold the president accountable through hearings and investigations. The House oversight committee or another committee could, and should, compel Trump to release his taxes and disclose all of his financial agreements. Only then can we know the degree of financial influence Russia (and other nations) hold on Trump.
It's a matter of national security. I'll say it again.
The top priority of the President of the United States should be the interests of the United States, over and above the interests of foreign nations. We must have confidence that our President is not being forced to choose between our national security interests and his own personal profits.