One of the things that has not been clearly discussed about Iraq is that it was a totally SOCIALIST ECONOMY under Saddam.
Saddam subsidized everything.
Gasoline was 5 cents a gallon, and still is! Thanks to the US
taxpayers "occupation subsidy!"
The point is that the new government in Iraq must not only get Iraqis
to accept Iraq without the Bathhists and Saddam.
THEY MUST ALSO GET THE IRAQI PUBLIC TO ACCEPT THE RIGORS OF A MARKET
ECONOMY!
NO MORE EASY GOVERNMENT JOBS! NO MORE CHEAP FOOD! OR CHEAP GAS!
AND FREE RENT! AND CHEAP ELECTRICITY!
As much of a monster as Saddam was according to Wolfie, Chalabi, et
al;
THE IRAQI PEOPLE WERE USED TO THE SOCIALIST FREEIES THAT THE
SADDAMISTS PROVIDED. BECAUSE SADDAM WAS ALWAYS A SOCIALIST FIRST,
AND AN ISLAMIST SECOND. Unlike the new ISLAMIST INSURGENTS!
MY HUNCH IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEE THE "RE-BATHHIFICATION" OF IRAQ
WITH THE NEW GOVERNMENT. THAT MEANS THE SUNNIS WILL REGAIN SOME
CONTROL, LIKELY THERE WILL BE SOME ACCOMEDATION REACHED WITH THE
KURDS AND THE SHIA FOR "HOME RULE" IN THE PROVINCES OUTSIDE OF
BAGHDAD.
ACTUALLY WITH THE POTENTIAL OIL WEALTH OF IRAQ, THINGS COULD SETTLE
DOWN QUICKLY. IF.... IF, THE VARIOUS FACTIONS OPT FOR A WEAK
FEDERALISM AND AGREE ON HOW TO SHARE THE OIL MONEY.
THERE IS REALLY NO REASON FOR AN OIL RICH SOCIALIST NATION TO LAPSE
INTO CIVIL WAR. THERE SHOULD BE PLENTY FOR EVERYONE; ESPECIALLY NOW
THAT THE OLD ELITES HAVE BEEN PURGED.
Indeed, about 90% of the world's nations would likely be "better off"
if their indigenous greedy elites where eliminated; and the entire
process could start from "square one" again. As in Iraq today!
Iraqis will likely have NATIONAL HEALTH CARE before Americans.
And, that 5 cent gas would be a real winner anywhere!
THE BAD NEWS?
WELL, IT'S NOT LIKELY THAT THE IRAQI PEOPLE WILL AGREE WITH DUBYA AND
THE NEOCONS THAT SHARON IS A "MAN OF PEACE."
OR, THAT THE ARAB AND IRAQI STREET WILL STOP SUPPORTING A VIABLE
PALESTINIAN STATE;
SORRY WOLFIE......!
BUT, WASN'T THAT THE ENTIRE REASON WE WENT INTO IRAQ IN THE FIRST
PLACE? NAMELY, TO HELP SHARON DO WHATEVER IT IS HE THINKS HE'S DOING
ON THE WEST BANK AND GAZA......
Or was it all about "women's rights?" lol.
Well, about 900 Americans have died so the Iraqi people can now be
DEMOCRATICALLY---ANTI-ISRAEL, ANTI-SHARON, ANTI-LIKUD.
WE SEEM TO BE DUMBING VICTORY DOWN IN IRAQ EVERYDAY!
AMERICANS BASICALLY TRASHED THE PLACE AND THEN BUGGED OUT.
BUT, WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM DUBYA AND THE NEOCONS!
It's been four long years of "exceeding ever lowered expectations."
BUT IRAQ REALLY TAKES IT TO A NEW LEVEL.
Dubya and the neocons have always had a problem with "what comes
next." But increasingly the answer to that question is becoming
clear.
What comes next is: THE KERRY ADMINISTRATION.
