A post from December 2010:
It's always tough to predict in politics. Nevertheless, I think that 2011 will be a very dangerous year here and abroad.
Bottom line: It won't be a very easy year for Pres BO.
Let's look at some potential challenges.
First, we face serious "state budget" problems.
California may have to enter into some kind of bankruptcy or rearrangement of contracts with public sector unions.
California's problems are not new but the stuff will probably hit the fan in 2011.
The once great Golden State has very high sales and income taxes, lavish entitlements, bad public schools based on federal test scores, and an out of control illegal immigration problem.
It also has over regulated private sector, a shrinking manufacturing base, and public sector unions that turn out in huge numbers to protect the Dems who feed them.
My guess is that reality will finally hit California in 2011!
Who is going to bail out California? Nobody!
I can't wait for Gov Brown and Sen Boxer to tell the unions that the fantasy is finally over!
On the foreign policy side, I am concerned with Iran, Venezuela and Mexico.
Iran, as the Wikileaks cables, confirm has everyone in the region scared to death.
When do you think that Iran's neighbors will call for a US "preemptive" attack without a UN resolution or their public support?
Down in Venezuela, Hugo Chavez has turned that democracy into a farce. He is ruling now by decree and expropriating private property in an alarming fashion.
Last, but not least, I am very concerned with the deterioration of Mexico.
We learned in the Wikileaks cables that there is a huge pessimism in Mexico about Pres Calderon's war.
Beyond that, how much longer can the US tolerate a border with a lawless nation?
The cartels are now dangerously close to running huge portions of the border.
When will we have to defend our borders and place troops there?
My guess is that we are closer to having US troops on the border than anyone would have believed months ago.
Overall, 2011 will be very tough. Let's hope that Pres BO surrounds himself with people concerned about country rather than those who pander to ethnic groups.
P.S. We looked ahead to 2011 with Bill Katz of Urgent Agenda.
Click here for the interview!
PS: Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.