Monday, December 28, 2009

Predictions for 2010

By Mr. Quarter

I feel especially endowed with clairvoyant powers after the holidays have passed. So, heretofore on an annual basis Mr. Quarter's Corner will include my list of predictions of events, conditions and what-not for the coming year. Listed below are my predictions for 2010.

  1. The consensus on "climate change" will become that the climate is indeed changing. Anthropogenic causes of climate change will be considered insignificant.
  2. Inflation will reach over 7% by year end as reflected in the CPI
  3. US unemployment will remain greater than 8% for all of 2010.
  4. The US dollar will trade at 1.6 per Euro before the end of 2010.
  5. The yield on 3 year US Treasuries will drift upward reaching at least 3.0% during 2010.
  6. U.S. GDP growth will hover at 2% or less for all of 2010.
  7. A popular revolt will unseat the Islamic clerical government of Iran, however the military will remain in charge.
  8. Israel will launch a major strike at Iranian nuclear facilities.
  9. The price of oil will spike over $100/bbl.
  10. Hugo Chavez will launch a war of opportunity against Columbia. He will loose.
  11. Kim Jong Il will die of natural causes, sparking a power struggle between supporters of his chosen dynastic successor and the military in North Korea.
  12. Afghanistan will stabilize with fewer and fewer insurgent attacks. The focus of the Taliban action will shift to Pakistan tribal areas with insurgent bombing attacks increasing in tempo across the entire nation.
  13. China will steadily reduce its purchases of US debt. By the end of 2010, China will be a net seller of US debt.
  14. The Democrats in Congress will begin to re-brand themselves as deficit hawks. Proposals for a Value Added Tax will be introduced. A VAT of 3%-5% will come close to being enacted before the end of 2010.
  15. The Republicans in Congress will propose and pass a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution in 2010. It will go out to the states for ratification.
  16. The 2010 elections will be a blood bath for the Democratic party. They will loose 8 seats in the Senate and more than 40 seats in the House. Health care reform, jobs, and the national debt will be the dominant issues.
  17. Growing and possession of small amounts of marijuana for personal use will be legalized in 4 states after paying a tax or purchasing a permit.
  18. Harry Reid will be defeated in Nevada.
  19. Arlen Spector will be defeated in a landslide in Pennsylvania. He will retire in ignominy for his foolish party switch.
  20. Obama will attempt to pivot to the center, however his approval ratings will not improve and will continue to drop in the the 20% range.
  21. Nancy Pelosi will loose her post as Speaker of the House after the 2010 elections (no matter the outcome) if not sooner.
  22. Janet Napolitano will be sacked from the Obama Administration.
  23. Rahm Emanuel will be sacked from the Obama Administration.
  24. Paris Hilton will get knocked up and decide to have the baby.
  25. Sarah Palin will not declare candidacy for office, but will become the defacto leader of the Tea Party Movement. The Tea Party Movement will not result in a 3rd party but will have strong influence on Republican Party candidates and policies.

1 comment:

The Deuce said...

"The Republicans in Congress will propose and pass a balanced budget amendment to the US Constitution in 2010. It will go out to the states for ratification."

$100 says this NEVER happens.