Vegas has a unique history of mob involvement. It was always present but somehow unspoken. The very early days were rife with overt mob activity. As time passed the idea of legitimacy became woven into the fabric and the mob drifted into otherworldly invisibility. Not until the early 80s did the mob finally relinquish control due to both political and legal considerations.

To this day many involved in the gambling industry think the city ran better when the mob was in control. Now that’s just crazy talk. Which brings us to present day.

Lots of crazy talk. Mob mentality applies to the state of political unrest and strife in this country. The Teflon Don is running the show and it is a show. The hold on the family by the boss is dependent upon the family agreeing that the boss is the boss, no question. Loyalty is expected and paramount to the success of the organization. Loyalty is engendered through fear, intimidation and the promise of being included and cared for.

Of course much of this behavior is generational. The sales pitch is geared to bring in new family members. None of this is surprising or new. What is baffling is the Don’s ability to gather in an entire diverse segment of society all attracted by the same song over and over. Each faction is convinced that his message is meant for them.

Listening to the Appellate court proceedings today it is unnervingly apparent that the Don is successfully rendering the perception of law as a political maneuver. The argument presented by his counsel suggests that the Don is somehow other, perhaps not above the law, but perhaps not covered by it. What?….

There are a select few, once bitten, now in recovery, who offer some insights into the operation. But no clear treatment or antidote.

The clear and present danger cannot be overstated. Vegas has survived and thrived not by obeisance to the mob but by divorcing from it. The same applies to the country and to governance as we know it. We are beyond a good slap to snap out of it. Crime families persist and the regular folks subjected to their rule keep quiet or risk an accident. We are all at risk of an accident.

So many machinations are afoot to break the system in order to enshrine the Don as the anointed head of the organization. Voting rights act is gutted in seven states. The Don is vowing to eradicate the vermin. He is also plotting the remaking of the DOJ into a consigliere. He is accusing General Milley of treason. It is always the case with the Don that allegations he’s tossing at someone else are actually his own admissions. If none of this gives you pause your next step is picking your flavor of Kool-Aid.

We will vote in 2024, not for our favorite candidate but for our right to vote for our favorite candidate. The stakes have never been higher. As mercenary as Vegas books are, it is likely that odds will be posted. But this is a wager that no one can win.