Last year our economy continued to perform badly, the partisan divide in Congress widened, and issues at other nations of the world continued to affect our country. My predictions for last year were somewhat on target but there were a few for which I blew it. Below please find my report card:
ECONOMY. I predicted that the Obama regime would try and implement its leftist ideals through the Executive Branch with new rules and regulations. I said the FCC would force internet providers to offer equal access to all forms of content at the expense of the consumer. And I predicted that oil and gas prices would go through the roof because of EPA regulations invoked to force people to buy Government Motors’ electric cars. WHAT HAPPENED. According to the liberal Center For Progressive Reform, Obama changed 84% of environmental regulations and 65% of regulations at other agencies. While the Center celebrates those changes, our economy continues to falter. The FCC, as I expected, did implement new rules in November 2011 forcing fixed and mobile broadband firms such as Comcast, ATT, and the dish networks to provide equal access to its cable and spatial spectrum for all content providers meaning that subscribers will have to pay for bandwidth buildout and not content firms. With regards to oil and gas prices, thankfully Obama caved and did not implement new EPA smog rules that would have notably increased production and distribution costs in the energy industries.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS. I did not post any predictions regarding international issues. But from my many columns in the past, I have not been hesitant to suggest that President Obama is weak, favors rhetoric over action, and often backs the wrong side during conflicts. WHAT HAPPENED. Obama continued to put the world at the risk of nuclear war with his failed strategy to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He took credit for the Arab Spring which has, unfortunately, put questionable Islamic leaders in charge of Egypt. He also provided the military weaponry and advisors to help NATO rid the world of Muammar Kaddafi but left a vacuum being filled by leaders who historically do not support the interests of the west. I will give the President credit, however, for making the right decision to capture (and kill) Osama bin Laden while he took refuse in Pakistan.
POLITICAL. My main political prediction for 2011 did not happen. I had hoped that a fresh and proven face would emerge for the Republican Presidential nomination beyond Gingrich, Palin, Huckabee, and Romney. I also predicted Florida would become a key primary state. WHAT HAPPENED. Thankfully Palin and Huckabee chose not to run and at this time Romney and Gingrich continue to lead the pack of candidates. Herman Cain did bring a fresh face to the contest but his personal baggage quickly did him in. I was correct that Florida would become a key state as it moved its primary date up to January 31 meaning that its Republican voters will play a huge role in the eventual choice of the Republican nominee.
2012 PREDICTIONS
ECONOMY. Despite President Obama’s economic policies which continue to cripple our economy, the natural business cycle and pent up demand will lead to an improved economy by the end of 2012 just in time to give Obama a boost to his campaign. Unemployment figures will become a media issue as the Obama administration is accused of manipulating the numbers used to calculate the rate. But sadly, the real unemployment rate of those looking for work or giving up will stay near 17%. Our country’s debt crisis will get worse as the DC politicians punt any hard choices until 2013. The stock and bond markets will become very unstable as investors become uncomfortable with the value of US based investments but both will end the year strongly when voters elect a new President.
FOREIGN AFFAIRS. Now that the skies of Iraq are not being patrolled by the US Air Force, Israel will finally be able to launch strategic strikes against Iranian facilities building nuclear weapons. Meanwhile Iran will try to increase its influence in Iraq and continue to agitate and supply the Palestinians with weapons to threaten Israel. The European Union will continue to collapse as Germany, Great Britain, and France will give up trying to manage the weaker members whose socialist policies have bankrupted their countries. But perhaps the biggest international story of 2012 will be what happens in Russia where Vladimir Putin will revert to authoritarian type policies to dampen the efforts of those wanting a less corrupt national government.
POLITICAL
On January 31st, Florida Republican will cast the majority of their votes for Mitt Romney after watching Newt Gingrich’s pompous attitude and ego get the best of him during the campaign. Romney will go on to win the Republican nomination and I believe will be able to pull together a sufficient voting block of Republicans, Independents, and working class white and Jewish Democrats to squeak by Obama in the Electoral College. The Republicans will hold the House but fall just short of taking back the Senate. I will comment on local and state races in coming columns.
Sunday, January 01, 2012
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