Interesting. Let's not forget an Israeli attack o...

2009-07-15T14:00:45.040-07:00

Interesting. Let's not forget an Israeli attack on Iran and the short term effect on oil prices. If Iran decides to mine the Straights of Hormuze (sp -1) we may have to intervene. A long term disruption in oil supplies would certainly hurt our economy. Even if Iran does nothing, I anticipate a short spike. Perhaps to the $85 level you predict.

Economically, I believe if they pass healthcare reform, it will be a bigger disaster. That's not to say nothing should be done, just that I don't like to be bum rushed into spending trillions of dollars because we have to get it done NOW. Congress is tinkering with a huge part of GDP, not buying a used minivan. Focus on the real problems like pre-existing conditions, portability and anti-competitive rules on the state level. See if it helps and revisit the issue when we can afford it.

My suggestion gets a serious discussion started without breaking the bank. The Democratic plan is expensive, intrusive and could end-up as a smoldering heap at the bottom of a creek. The proverbial, "Bridge too Far." Seen this movie before. Know how it ends.

I'm consider myself a hawk on foreign policy, though I must admit I wasn't sold on going over the hill in Iraq. However, once doing so, I take the General Sherman view: Strike your enemy hard. Crush them and never let them up. Brings things to a conclusion faster than playing with yourself and starting a surge three years later.

That said, I'm a little more optimistic on North Korea. Can't say why, other than their leader likes fancy cars and hookers more than world domination. Perhaps he will get a wild hair and want to take his people with him as he heads to his Communist Afterlife, also known as Hell in these parts. So, I don't discount your nervousness.

However, there should be no dealing with the North. They never keep their word. Cut off all food and money and walk away. They want to talk? They have the phone number to the Oval office. The North Korean government collapses? Seems like China's problem to me. They may toss some missiles at South Korea. That kinda seems like South Korea's problem. OK, if they nuke Hawaii, then we need to drop a few Trident II's on them. Short of that, I find North Korea tedious and irrelevant.

Comments on Pragmatic Pundit: Economic Doom and Gloom--Where does it END?

Interesting. Let's not forget an Israeli attack o...