The Exchange Writes: Hesitation on Syrian Strike Threatens Economic Recovery
President Obama’s vacillation on Syria—first delaying military action and then booting the decision to Congress—poses grave threats to U.S. prosperity.
Imminent military action, especially in the Middle East, instigates fears of shortages and panic in oil markets. Two years ago, oil prices jumped to more than $110 in anticipation of the U.S. action in Libya but then subsided when the worst did not happen to oil supplies.
With mounting evidence that Syria used chemical weapons, oil prices again jumped, and a prolonged debate in Congress could push gasoline above $4.00. That would dent Detroit’s resurgent auto sales, shelve investment decisions across manufacturing, and weigh on already flagging new home sales.
Should the Congress approve military force, Iran could attack Israel or cut back on oil production, permanently pushing up prices. However, once U.S. strikes begin, if those consequences don’t materialize, oil prices should fall back.
The article continues….
The president exacerbated near term fears by first vacillating after Syrian President Assad crossed his red line, and then asking Congress to vote the week of September 9.
Had Obama acted quickly on his own authority, or at least called Congress back into session immediately, the period of uncertainty would have been cut from at least a month to one week.
Extended uncertainty can wreck havoc on investment and consumer spending, and potentially tank the economy.
They behave so badly, despite U.S. protestations, because from Obama is viewed as weak and naïve. By leading from behind internationally and failing to act forcefully against protectionism that harms American workers, he has emboldened those nations’ to give lip service to international rules and then do whatever they please.
Meanwhile, the U.S. recovery drags along at a paltry 2 percent, while China grows at 7.5 percent, and Japan and Germany recover.
If the liberals and Tea Party block U.S. military action, that vote will mark the end of the United States of America as a prosperous nation with the resolve to lead.
So, there you go folks. This is one of the dumbest things that I have ever read. Apparently American prosperity and economic growth doesn’t depend on innovation, hard work, fiscal discipline and sacrifice that have made this country so great, but now depends on bombing Syria back into the stone age.
The scary part is, this is normal and legitimate thinking for millions of Americans today. Maybe they are onto something. While at it, perhaps the US should bomb the rest of the countries as well. Just imagine how much economic growth and wealth it will bring to our nation. Plus, it will show everyone once and for all how much resolve we truly have. Crazy!!!
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