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I think the budget offered is politically brilliant. Of course I disagree with many of the items in the budget. Even with the cuts being made, 2.57 trillion is simply ridiculous and needs to be cut further. I doubt, however, that will happen.
The reason it is politically brilliant is because it offers republicans in the House and Senate an opportunity to look as if they are offering huge concessions to the dems because of how the budget is positioned. Should the dems not accept these concessions and demand more, they look petty and unwilling to compromise.
The final budget, after going through the House and Senate, will look much different. Bush and his team know this. So they are using the classic strategy of starting a negotiation far, far from what you are willing to accept so that they get perhaps more than they really want.
As far as Iraq becoming another Iran, I sincerely doubt it. Yes, the cleric said what he said, but if you are familiar with the situation in Iran, you know how incredible instable the government there is. One reason we may not have to take action in Iran is that it is looking like it will come from within. That being the case, I do not think that the citizenry of Iran wants this. In fact, polls of the Iraqis asking what type of government they would most prefer, an overwhelming majority chose that resembling the UAE, which is the most western style government in the region.
The cleric is a religious leader. Of course he will demand an islaminc government. I doubt the people of Iraq will go that route. Granted, I am not an expert on the Constitutional process going on there now (as far as how it will be written, ratified, etc).
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