Near-term predictions

Here are a couple of near-term predictions. Let's see how well I do.

The Senate Democrats vowed they would not seat anyone appointed by discredited Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Then Blagojevich appointed Burris, who with his supporters played the race card, and the Senate folded and seated him. Now it turns out he purjered himself under oath to the Senate panel deciding whether to seat him or not, a "voluntary" admission he made only after phone records became available which showed he had in fact talked with Blagojevich's staff several times. I predict there will be a little public huffing and puffing, he will claim it was all an innocent oversight on his part and play the race card again, and the Senate Democrats will fold again and let him keep his seat. After all, what is a little perjury under oath among fellow Senators, especially if he is a member of your own party?

The automakers are required to appear before Congress tomorrow to show that they have a viable business plan for the future, otherwise they have to return the billions that Congress gave them a few months ago. I predict the plans they produce will not be the least bit convincing, but Congress will pretend they are and give them more billons. After all, we are bailing out insolvent banks that have no viable recovery plan and no hope of repaying their loans - why not auto companies?

I also predict the CEOs will not fly in on their private jets -- they will let their chauffeurs drive them to Washington in their limousines.