Bestill my heart.
Civil war or not, Iraq has an economy, and—mother of all surprises—it's doing remarkably well. Real estate is booming. Construction, retail and wholesale trade sectors are healthy, too, according to a report by Global Insight in London. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports 34,000 registered companies in Iraq, up from 8,000 three years ago. Sales of secondhand cars, televisions and mobile phones have all risen sharply. Estimates vary, but one from Global Insight puts GDP growth at 17 percent last year and projects 13 percent for 2006. The World Bank has it lower: at 4 percent this year. But, given all the attention paid to deteriorating security, the startling fact is that Iraq is growing at all.
Well, I bet this is news that alot of people simply do not wish to hear, but why? Isn't this good news?
A little further along in the article it states:
Even so, there's a vibrancy at the grass roots that is invisible in most international coverage of Iraq. Partly it's the trickle-down effect. However it's spent, whether on security or something else, money circulates. Nor are ordinary Iraqis themselves short on cash. After so many years of living under sanctions, with little to consume, many built up considerable nest eggs—which they are now spending. That's boosted economic activity, particularly in retail. Imported goods have grown increasingly affordable, thanks to the elimination of tariffs and trade barriers. Salaries have gone up more than 100 percent since the fall of Saddam, and income-tax cuts (from 45 percent to just 15 percent) have put more cash in Iraqi pockets. "The U.S. wanted to create the conditions in which small-scale private enterprise could blossom," says Jan Randolph, head of sovereign risk at Global Insight. "In a sense, they've succeeded."
Now, I don'tknow if MSNBC has been told or not, but perhaps someone should inform them that the word succeeded in relation to Iraq in any way, shape or form is a dirty word to some. Someone make sure they get that newsflash ok?
The last paragraph is the biggest surprise though, considering the news outlet that wrote this piece.
But again, that's the remarkable thing. In a business climate that is inhospitable, to say the least, companies like Iraqna are thriving. The withdrawal of a certain great power could drastically reduce the foreign money flow, and knock the crippled economy flat.
Now for a little known fact about Iraq, that again, no one seems to make clear to the American people that haven't even bothered to look at the make up of Iraq and its 18 provinces. Since this came out in August of 2006, I guess it somehow got "missed" in the shuffle with elections, the Foley Firestorm and everything else.
British Royal Marine Lt. Gen. Robert Fry: Most of Iraq is stable, the general pointed out, noting 14 of the country’s 18 provinces experience little or no violence. He also cited the Iraqi Police takeover of security duties in Muthanna province at the end of July as another positive step. Japanese military engineers that had worked in the province were able to be sent home.
Man, I cannot even name 4 of our own states here in America that has "little or no violence".
Now we have Senator Reid offering qualifying support for an increase of troops as part of a broader strategy to bringing the troops home by 2008, which is setting off a tidal wave of criticism from the left and democratic pundits.
Cenk Uygur from Huffington Post, Daily Kos and a slew of the far left are ready to tear their hair out....guess they are feeling"lied to",, "betrayed", I don't know, and personally I do not care.
The one thing that may have escaped their notice, one possible reason Reid is coming out now saying this, is the fact that the senate is 51-49, although technically two of the 51 are independents, one of which is Joe Lieberman, who has been IN Iraq 4 times over a 17 month period, which happens to be in favor of increasing troops, therefore, when the issue of Iraq comes up in the senate, the vote would be 50-50 and Cheney would be the tie breaker.... perhaps Reid simply has realized that on this issue, Iraq, Lieberman will not vote with the Democratic party and Reid could be hedging his bets.
If this is his motivation.... the guy might be smarter than he looks.
I wonder how many times Cenk Uygur and the Daily Kos writer has been to Iraq, after all they are offering their "expert" opinions here to counter Reid, Liberman and McCain, the Generals, etc... I cannot seem to find anything in Uygurs bio about visiting Iraq, getting a firsthand look at what he spouts off about....but no worries, I am SURE he must watch CNN and that qualifies him. Lets not forget he has a morning show on Air America.
Nuff said?
[UPDATE] 12/19/06- a Special Thank You to 186 k per second. For noticing.
Others discussing this:
Argghhh! with Iraq's Economy and the Americans Presence. (A very amusing piece)
Don Surber shows Iraqi's are more optimistic than Americans
Reuters.
Open Trackback Monday here at Wake up America.
Other open trackbackscan be found at Linkfest Haven.
Renaissance Blogger.
Conservative Cat.
Dragonlady's World.
Basil's Blog.
Jo's Cafe.
Bullwinkle Blog.
Pirate's Cove.
Third World County.
Blue Star Chronicles.
Right Wing Guy.
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