As life goes on and years go by, we often learn things that we never knew before. We also learn that what some things we thought that we knew isn’t so. The following is a partial list of things that we learned in 2014.
1.) The IRS is more corrupt than anybody thought.
Although the IRS has largely stymied the investigation into its targeting political opponents of the current administration, it is becoming clear that this was in fact done, that it was done from the top, and almost certainly with at least some coordination with the White House. Also we learned that it is extremely uncertain that anybody will be held to account for this.
2.) That several other government agencies are corrupt and incompetent.
From the V.A. scandal with veterans dying waiting for care and the V.A. altering records to the general apparent incompetence of the Secret Service, the idea a government-run operation can be competent and efficient for its intended beneficiaries has taken a serious hit. Like other religious notions that can persist despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, these revelations are unlikely to dent the faith of the true believers.
3.) The 19th century notions of state power still have relevance in the 21st century.
Vladimir Putin has managed to invade a sovereign country and annex part of it while the world howls in protest.
4.) That 21st century notions of state power still have relevance too.
Concerted serious sanctions and a concerted effort to lower the oil price can undercut a petro-state like Putin’s Russia making the adventure in eastern Ukraine costly.
5.) That there are still enough people who believe in 7th century version of Islam to turn large swaths of the Middle East into a hell hole.
The Islamic State (IS) has managed to suddenly carve out its own state in the Middle East. It is the most powerful and organized terror group that we have ever seen, and is now effectively a petro-state.
6.) Politics makes strange bedfellows.
The U.S. and Iran are more or less working together to fight IS in Iraq.
7.) The world keeps changing.
When historians look back over the last 5 or 6 years, they will likely conclude that this was a time when we finally realized that economic systems that worked for 50 years no longer do and that the power of forces that we never counted on or considered to disrupt the existing order was greater than it had been in a long time.
Happy New Year!!!!