...and today oil is down below $66 a barrel and still dropping. There is some talk now of a drop to $40 a barrel before this thing is done.

Over the next few weeks we should see it drop at least into the $50's and the price at the pump reflect at least a low $2.00 range, if not $1.99.

Then we'll see the rest of the economic projections get better.

And we'll hear the Democrats squeal.

I can live with that.  Just keep dropping.

sharp

There is no real economy in Iran except for oil.  Unemployment runs about 18% and underemployment is the rule rather than the exception.  There is massive government control of the economy which (100% of the time in every economy) leads to terrible inefficiencies and stifles growth.  The bottom line is that Iran hasn't participated in the world's economic boom (led by the U.S.) over the last five years.

Why does this matter?  Because it will get Iran to the negotiation table over their nuclear weapons.  They need help.  They only have two trump cards and one of them may be trumped soon as oil has already dropped by almost 10% over the last few weeks and shows all signs of going significantly lower.  The other is nuclear weapons.

Germany's Prime Minister Merckel this week announced that Germany had "ruled out" any attack on Iran in response to their nuclear threat.  I believe this is a positive sign because it takes the Iranian people off the defensive and shifts public opinion off of "war footing" as it were. 

I am, for the first time, hopeful of an agreement between the U.S. and its allies and Iran that could help the Iranian people in their desperate time of need.  One that could help Israel function outside of the ridiculous threats of Armageddon from the Iranian President.  One that could help the rest of the world focus on other immediate threats and away from at least one.

The easiest way for this to dissolve into chaos is for Kofi Annan to get involved.  Let's hope the U.N. is busy messing up the world's other problems that week.

sharp

To my liberal friends who post with such wild charges and bitterness towards Bush and the Repbulicans, I appreciate you coming to my site and posting.  And while I'm not in the habit of giving advice to the competition, but let me share a few things with you.

Republicans could call Clinton "the rapist" every time they mention his name and they'd be right.  But they don't and they're in power.

Republicans could say "stolen FBI files" every time Democrats charge abuse of power.  But they don't and they're in power.

Republicans could say "heinously illegal whitewashing of Vince Fosters office" every time they mention Hillary.  But they don't.

Republicans could mention Clinton kickbacks from the Chinese government for state secrets and a blind eye.  But they don't.

Republicans could mention Hillary's Soviet style health care plans every time they mention her name.  But they don't.

Republicans could mention the Buddhist temple every time Democrats charge illegal campaign contributions from some representative somewhere.  But they don't.

Republicans could say "Chappaquiddick" and "blatant murder" every time Ted Kennedy charges anyone with unethical behavior.  But they don't.

Republicans could mention tens of billions of American tax dollars intended for Russia that were stolen from under Al Gore's nose while he was reassuring us everything was alright - which has led to a return of Russia as an enemy instead of a friend.  But they don't.

Republicans could mention that Osama was offered to Clinton by the Sudanese but they refused - leading to thousands of lives lost and ultimately two wars.  But they don't.

Republicans could mention Hillary's character assassination team that she personally set loose on the (already) victims of her husbands molestation.  But they don't.

There are thousands of examples, but the point is that there is massive filth and corruption on the left in this country.  There is moral bankruptcy on the left.  But, while the Democrats seem intent on calling Republican decisions the work of Satan, the Republicans aren't focused on the real filth of the left, but rather on keeping the country safe from terrorism, growing the economy, dealing with immigration, dealing with unfair taxes, rebuilding the Middle East, etc.

And I believe, just as in the last election, you will lead your party to failure once again.  A visionless party full of bitterness doesn't attract much more than the true believers.

However, you could actually win big with a positive vision.  The opportunity is golden.

Still, I don't think your base can take its focus off the hatred.  And that's deadly at the polls.

sharp

Sure.

Wouldn't you?

If you knew that a Democratic takeover of the House and Senate would mean two years of them using you as a punching bag to curry favor with voters?  If you knew it would mean two years of them investigating every email, every phone call, the minutes of every meeting?  If you knew they'd crucify you for their personal gain the way they do Supreme Court nominees?

Then of course you would.

Now for my prediction:

• Gas is already threatening to drop below $2.50 a gallon
• Geopolitical tensions (Iran) are easing
• Hurricane predictions have backed off
• There is a surprising glut of oil on the market
• Post Labor Day always sees price declines due to less driving during the school year
• Supply and demand currently would put the price of oil at $50/barrel instead of $70 so when Oil companies eliminate the profit-bubble they currently have at the pump the price will tumble

So for all of this, I predict gas will drop to $1.99 by the first week of October.  And economic growth predictions will be revised upward. 

With all of this, if there is any positive movement in Iraq (like yesterday's capture of key leaders of Al Qaeda), then Republicans will look far, far better on November 1st than they do today.

I predict that will happen, too.

Sharp

That's good news. But one bit of news that's being reported as good is actually ridiculous and probably bad.

Kofi Annan has announced that Iran is ready to negotiate the end of their nuclear program. Does anyone anywhere believe that he has a drop of credibility or worth in international affairs?

• His son used his U.N. position for massive personal (unethical and illegal) gain.
• On his watch the massive U.N. oil for food program was a world class fraud that lined the pockets of dicators and terrorists at the expense of the poor.
• On his watch Israel is continually condemned for responding to terrorist attacks that are not condemned.

How quickly can we pull out of this worthless, damaging body?

sharp