Cannon Fodder

Why have neo-conservatives and neo-liberals opposed the economic stimulus package and health reform? This morning, CNN's Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr reported that for the first time since the 1970's, all three branches of the military have reached their recruiting goals. The reasons given were (1) the economic downturn driving the unemployed into the military, (2) large cash bonuses being offered for enlistment and (3) the availability of health care. So now I understand the neo-cons: someone has to have an incentive for fighting their wars and their "public option" for health care is the military.

Starr also reported that General Stanley McChrystal's request for more troops in Afghanistan actually contained a range of recommendations from 10,000 to 80,00 with 40,000 being the desired increase. Let's see, 80,000/2 = 40,000. This is an old consultant's trick: provide three estimates, a low-ball, a high-ball and the one you want. Hopefully the president will not fall for this.