Tuesday, January 25, 2005

I am nonplused by the language, "fierce attacks in Iraq occurred in the run-up to the elections."  This implies that fierce attacks will end with the elections or that the elections are the primary cause of the violence.  The trend lines belie this.  Only the targets have changed and not the volume, ferocity, or sophistication of the attacks. 4:38:11 PM    Comment_ Trackback []

Reuters.  The CBO estimates that 2005's US budget deficit will be $368 billion.  Of course, if you add in left out costs (for example:  tax cuts and the ongoing war), the deficit would be nearly twice as much.  Anyone have an estimate of the real deficit number? 11:38:34 AM    Comment_ Trackback []

WSJ.  Veteran's benefits spiral out of control.  Congress, pressured by veterans groups, has in recent years boosted military pensions, health insurance and benefits for widows of retirees. Internal Pentagon documents forecast that the lawmakers' generosity since 1999 will force the federal government to find about $100 billion over the next six years to cover the new benefits.  A funny thing is that most military retirees are extremely negative on social welfare programs but they are rabid in their defense of veteran's benefits.  They don't see the contradiction.  The US military is turning out to be the one of the big hold-overs from nation-state big government.  9:06:43 AM    Comment_ Trackback []