AN ELECTION? – AT 2:40 P.M. ET:   There is an election, of some kind, in Venezuela, democracy capital of the world.  From AP:

Caracas (AFP) - Venezuelans, reeling under a devastating economic crisis, began voting Sunday in an election boycotted by the opposition and condemned by much of the international community but expected to hand deeply unpopular President Nicolas Maduro a new mandate.

Maduro, the political heir to the late leftist firebrand Hugo Chavez, has presided over an implosion of once wealthy oil producer Venezuela's economy since taking office in 2013.

Hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, rising crime and broken water, power and transportation networks have sparked violent unrest, and left Maduro with a 75-percent disapproval rating.

Hundreds of thousands of Venezuelans have fled the country in a mass exodus in recent years as the country descends into economic ruin.

Latest polls put Maduro neck-and-neck with his main rival Henri Falcon, a former army officer who failed to gain the endorsement of the main opposition, which is bitterly divided and has called for a boycott. A third candidate, evangelical pastor Javier Bertucci, is further back.

A low turnout, however, is expected the give Maduro, who has a tight grip on the electoral and military authorities, a comfortable victory.

COMMENT:  Maybe we can get some of the movie actors who went down to Venezuela to kiss the ring of Hugo Chavez to write some large checks to help the people.  Why do I think this will never happen?

May 20, 2018