The Bigger Picture by Bud Ravitz
@budravitz.bsky.social
NJ elected official. Political writer and commentator.
In 1974, Republican leaders told Nixon the truth, and history turned. In 2026, one Republican congressman is warning that invading a NATO ally could end Trump’s presidency. Is this another Goldwater moment, or just another red line Trump will bulldoze?
The Goldwater Moment We’re Waiting For
Trump, Greenland, and whether Republicans will stop him this time.
open.substack.com
January 17, 2026 at 12:47 PM
In 1974, Republican leaders told Nixon the truth, and history turned. In 2026, one Republican congressman is warning that invading a NATO ally could end Trump’s presidency. Is this another Goldwater moment, or just another red line Trump will bulldoze?
Russia fired a once-banned, nuclear-capable missile into Ukraine, the Trump regime called it an “inexplicable escalation.” It wasn’t. From abandoning arms-control treaties to projecting weakness abroad, the conditions for this moment were carefully built, and Putin knows exactly how to exploit them.
Putin’s Escalation Was Intentional
How Trump’s worldview enables Putin’s most dangerous escalation
open.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Russia fired a once-banned, nuclear-capable missile into Ukraine, the Trump regime called it an “inexplicable escalation.” It wasn’t. From abandoning arms-control treaties to projecting weakness abroad, the conditions for this moment were carefully built, and Putin knows exactly how to exploit them.
As Trump torches trade alliances and governing norms, America’s closest allies are quietly re-engineering the global order, without us. Canada’s looming deal with China shows how fast trust evaporates, and how long the damage lasts.
Who Needs America Anymore?
Canada, Europe, and the high cost of Trump’s broken trust
open.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:55 PM
As Trump torches trade alliances and governing norms, America’s closest allies are quietly re-engineering the global order, without us. Canada’s looming deal with China shows how fast trust evaporates, and how long the damage lasts.
Foreign policy isn’t about friendship, it’s about power. Trump’s reckless threats against Greenland and NATO are pushing Europe toward something unthinkable: a standing army designed to replace the United States. When allies start planning for life without you, the damage is already done.
Europe Begins Planning Without America
NATO, Europe's standing army, and the ignominious end to America's superpower status
open.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Foreign policy isn’t about friendship, it’s about power. Trump’s reckless threats against Greenland and NATO are pushing Europe toward something unthinkable: a standing army designed to replace the United States. When allies start planning for life without you, the damage is already done.
As Trump flails for a foreign policy “win,” Iran is back in his sights. With no plan for the day after, no respect for expertise, and a record of turning intervention into disaster, the risk isn’t just another failure, it’s global blowback that lasts decades.
Trump’s Chaos Strategy Goes Global
Trump, Iran, and the absence of a plan for the day after
open.substack.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:24 PM
As Trump flails for a foreign policy “win,” Iran is back in his sights. With no plan for the day after, no respect for expertise, and a record of turning intervention into disaster, the risk isn’t just another failure, it’s global blowback that lasts decades.
Trump’s threats toward Greenland aren’t bluster or misdirection, they’re a direct challenge to NATO, U.S. alliances, and global stability. If America turns on its allies, the result isn’t strength, it’s isolation, economic collapse, and a world far closer to war than most people realize.
Greenland Is Not a Trial Balloon
Trump’s alliance-shattering threats and the fast road to America's Ceasing To Be A Superpower
open.substack.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Trump’s threats toward Greenland aren’t bluster or misdirection, they’re a direct challenge to NATO, U.S. alliances, and global stability. If America turns on its allies, the result isn’t strength, it’s isolation, economic collapse, and a world far closer to war than most people realize.
As Trump pushes a $1.5 trillion military budget while threatening NATO and America’s alliances, the real danger isn’t foreign invasion, it’s economic collapse. History shows superpowers don’t fall from bombs alone. Sometimes they bankrupt themselves first.
The $1.5 Trillion Defense Delusion
Trump, NATO, and the fastest way to bankrupt a superpower
open.substack.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:57 PM
As Trump pushes a $1.5 trillion military budget while threatening NATO and America’s alliances, the real danger isn’t foreign invasion, it’s economic collapse. History shows superpowers don’t fall from bombs alone. Sometimes they bankrupt themselves first.
Greenland isn’t for sale. and trying to take it by force wouldn’t make America stronger. It would end NATO, isolate the U.S., and accelerate imperial decline.
Greenland Is Not Ours to Take Just Because We Can Doesn’t Mean We Should
Greenland, NATO, the reckless logic of empire, and the fate of the world
open.substack.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Greenland isn’t for sale. and trying to take it by force wouldn’t make America stronger. It would end NATO, isolate the U.S., and accelerate imperial decline.
Trump claims Venezuela’s oil will enrich America. The math says otherwise. When you factor in military costs, market realities, and political risk, this isn’t strategy, it’s fantasy with a carrier strike group attached.
Oil, Empire, and Trump’s Math Problem
Why seizing Venezuela’s crude is bad economics, worse policy, and deadly serious
open.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 12:50 PM
Trump claims Venezuela’s oil will enrich America. The math says otherwise. When you factor in military costs, market realities, and political risk, this isn’t strategy, it’s fantasy with a carrier strike group attached.
While chaos in Venezuela grabs headlines, a far more dangerous decision is slipping by unnoticed at home. Politics, spectacle, and grievance are now shaping public health, and Americans, especially children, are left to deal with the consequences.
Vaccines, Venezuela, and the Chaos That Keeps On Costing
When spectacle replaces governance, Americans pay the price
open.substack.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:51 PM
While chaos in Venezuela grabs headlines, a far more dangerous decision is slipping by unnoticed at home. Politics, spectacle, and grievance are now shaping public health, and Americans, especially children, are left to deal with the consequences.
Venezuela wasn’t a democracy mission, it was a power play. Strip away the spin and what’s left is oil, leverage, and a familiar American mistake.
Venezuela and America’s Uncomfortable Déjà Vu
Power, oil, and the lie we keep telling ourselves, and the price future generations will pay.
open.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:25 PM
Venezuela wasn’t a democracy mission, it was a power play. Strip away the spin and what’s left is oil, leverage, and a familiar American mistake.
From Venezuela to Ukraine, the echoes of America’s past foreign policy disasters are getting louder. The Banana Wars are back, and this time, the stakes are global.
The Banana Wars 2.0
How The Trump Regime Is Replaying America’s Most Destructive Foreign Policy Mistakes
open.substack.com
January 6, 2026 at 12:28 PM
From Venezuela to Ukraine, the echoes of America’s past foreign policy disasters are getting louder. The Banana Wars are back, and this time, the stakes are global.
While attention drifts to Venezuela, a far more dangerous escalation is unfolding in Europe. Russia has deployed nuclear-capable missiles to NATO’s doorstep, and the U.S. response is silence.
The World Got More Dangerous This Weekend
Nuclear signaling, shrinking timelines, and America’s disappearing voice
open.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 12:23 PM
While attention drifts to Venezuela, a far more dangerous escalation is unfolding in Europe. Russia has deployed nuclear-capable missiles to NATO’s doorstep, and the U.S. response is silence.
The markets may look strong, but the foundations are cracking. Behind the headlines and hype, America is sliding into a K-shaped economy where chaos rewards the few and punishes everyone else.
A Golden Age Built on Borrowed Time
Chaos, Concentrated Wealth, and the Myth of Prosperity
budravitz.substack.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:09 PM
The markets may look strong, but the foundations are cracking. Behind the headlines and hype, America is sliding into a K-shaped economy where chaos rewards the few and punishes everyone else.
America used to lead with values. Now it negotiates compassion like a bad real estate deal. A $2 billion “donation” exposes how far we’ve fallen, and how cheaply we’ve sold our influence.
Soft Power, Hard Fall - The Decline Continues
How America Walked Away From Leadership and Called It Strength
open.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:33 PM
America used to lead with values. Now it negotiates compassion like a bad real estate deal. A $2 billion “donation” exposes how far we’ve fallen, and how cheaply we’ve sold our influence.
In a time of democratic backsliding and political exhaustion, this is a reminder that resistance isn’t performative, it’s persistent. We’re still here. Still standing. Still choosing each other.
The Bigger Picture: We’re Still Here. Still Standing. Still Resisting.
Persistence and people power - we refuse to give up on each other
open.substack.com
January 1, 2026 at 12:52 PM
In a time of democratic backsliding and political exhaustion, this is a reminder that resistance isn’t performative, it’s persistent. We’re still here. Still standing. Still choosing each other.
National security isn’t a performance art. Yet once again, Trump treated it like one, trading restraint for attention and strategy for self-congratulation.
When a President Can’t Keep a Secret
How one loose-lipped moment erased deniability, escalated tensions, and is yet another reminder why competence matters.
open.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:02 PM
National security isn’t a performance art. Yet once again, Trump treated it like one, trading restraint for attention and strategy for self-congratulation.
Trump didn’t just break norms, he exposed how fragile our institutions really are, and the damage wasn’t accidental or temporary. Deluding ourselves into thinking the next election will restore normalcy is dangerous, dishonest, and deeply naïve.
The Damage Is Intentional. And It's Not Slowing.
Undoing Trumpism will take more years than many of us have left. And pretending otherwise puts democracy at risk.
open.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Trump didn’t just break norms, he exposed how fragile our institutions really are, and the damage wasn’t accidental or temporary. Deluding ourselves into thinking the next election will restore normalcy is dangerous, dishonest, and deeply naïve.
Climate change isn’t controversial, it’s inconvenient. Especially for industries sitting on trillions in vulnerable assets. The longer we argue, the longer the bill gets delayed. But it’s coming due.
The Real Reason Climate Change Is “Debated”
Hint: it’s not science, it’s the money.
open.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Climate change isn’t controversial, it’s inconvenient. Especially for industries sitting on trillions in vulnerable assets. The longer we argue, the longer the bill gets delayed. But it’s coming due.
Trump promised a manufacturing revival powered by tariffs and bravado. What we got instead was zero tariffs, fewer jobs, and yet another reminder that slogans don’t survive contact with reality.
The Art of the Fold: How Trump Backed Away from Tariffs on Semiconductors.
The semiconductor saga that tells you everything you need to know.
open.substack.com
December 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Trump promised a manufacturing revival powered by tariffs and bravado. What we got instead was zero tariffs, fewer jobs, and yet another reminder that slogans don’t survive contact with reality.
Trump isn’t just tilting at windmills, he’s actively tearing them down. By killing clean energy projects that would lower costs and create jobs, he’s choosing grievance over growth and dragging America backward in the global energy race.
Trump vs. the Wind
How Trump’s War on Wind Energy Is Costing America Jobs, Money, and Momentum
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Trump isn’t just tilting at windmills, he’s actively tearing them down. By killing clean energy projects that would lower costs and create jobs, he’s choosing grievance over growth and dragging America backward in the global energy race.
Trump’s obsession with Greenland isn’t absurd, it’s revealing. Beneath the bluster is a dangerous mix of desperation, authoritarian ambition, and a willingness to burn alliances that once made America strong.
Greenland: From NATO Ally to Hostile Target
Trump’s dangerous fantasy of annexation and dominance
open.substack.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Trump’s obsession with Greenland isn’t absurd, it’s revealing. Beneath the bluster is a dangerous mix of desperation, authoritarian ambition, and a willingness to burn alliances that once made America strong.
Trump promised Americans $2,000 checks. What he delivered instead was another lie, a punt to Congress, and a quiet admission that tariffs are hurting consumers. The math doesn’t work, and it never did.
Tariffs, Tricks, and Two Thousand Dollars
Trump’s “Rebate” Was Never Real. Trump Promised Relief. Congress Got the Bill. Math Got Ignored.
open.substack.com
December 23, 2025 at 12:32 PM
Trump promised Americans $2,000 checks. What he delivered instead was another lie, a punt to Congress, and a quiet admission that tariffs are hurting consumers. The math doesn’t work, and it never did.
Mike Johnson shut down the House to avoid a vote extending ACA tax credits, because Trump told him to. Now vulnerable Republicans face voters without cover, healthcare remains in the headlines, and the myth of “complete control” is collapsing in real time.
Mike Johnson Runs Away (Again)
ACA chaos, Trump loyalty, and the unraveling of the House GOP
open.substack.com
December 22, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Mike Johnson shut down the House to avoid a vote extending ACA tax credits, because Trump told him to. Now vulnerable Republicans face voters without cover, healthcare remains in the headlines, and the myth of “complete control” is collapsing in real time.
Congress had a chance to stop Trump from drifting the U.S. into an elective war with Venezuela. They didn’t. With no strategy, no authorization, and no accountability, the Trump Party once again chose abdication over its Constitutional duty.
Another War, No Plan, No Permission
How the Trump Party Chose Abdication Over Accountability on Venezuela
open.substack.com
December 20, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Congress had a chance to stop Trump from drifting the U.S. into an elective war with Venezuela. They didn’t. With no strategy, no authorization, and no accountability, the Trump Party once again chose abdication over its Constitutional duty.