[Congressman Billybob]

The Swiss federation of its 21 (?) cantons is the proper model for a post-war Iraq. Some of the Swiss cantons are majority German, some majority French, a few majority Italian. Switzerland managed to survive both World War I and World War II without turning into a continual bloodbath, despite those antagonisms among its own population.

That is exactly the result that we should seek in post-war Iraq. "Loose federalism" means a very high degree of independence for local governance for each of these groups, WITHIN THE AREAS WHERE THEY ARE DOMINANT, but without any ability to overwhelm the others in their areas.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, not yet up on UPI, and FR, "The A-MAA-zing War Wizard"

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

[babyface00]

That is exactly the result that we should seek in post-war Iraq. "Loose federalism" means a very high degree of independence for local governance for each of these groups, WITHIN THE AREAS WHERE THEY ARE DOMINANT, but without any ability to overwhelm the others in their areas.

That sounds like a great idea! Maybe we should try that here in the U.S...

[ken5050]

Off topic question.....but do you think that the new Iraqi government will opt out of OPEC?