Exit Strategies

Someday, the Bush administration will be gone. What will the Republicans leave behind? An enormous national debt, tax laws that favor the wealthiest over the poor, sure, but what about the wars?

Yes, wars. Iraq is the front page news, but we're still proud owners of the world's leading opium-producing country, Afghanistan. And it's still garrisoned. Meanwhile in bases all over Iraq, our soldiers (and their many private-sector support teams forming the "tail" of the operation -- i.e. suppliers) are thinking they'll be out of there soon. They also think that Saddam was responsible for 9/11, so don't be surprised if they've been deceived.

What will replace Bush? Are we ready for what follows? Is there a part of our federal government left that can operate competently?