The New Year

Once again it’s time for my New Year’s predictions and also time to look back on how this year’s forecast played out.

2013 Predictions (published 12/26/12)

Prediction Number 1:
Green Bay (of course) and Denver meet up in the Super Bowl. But The Pack goes back to Green Bay without the trophy. Denver wins and the game will be a classic.
(Closer to home…Karma kicks Jerry Jones in the ‘nads and the Cowboys lose to the Redskins this Sunday, missing the playoffs yet again.)

Result: Well, Denver should have made it, but shoulda, woulda, coulda doesn’t count. So I blew this one. (I did get the Cowboys right and, of course, they will lose the final game again this year to miss the playoffs as usual. Go Iggles.) Grade D



Prediction Number 2:
We postpone going over the fiscal cliff by passing a very weak compromise with some tax increases on the wealthiest Americans, caps on future spending and a “commitment” to really address the problem this year.

Result: Pretty much nailed this one. Grade A



Prediction Number 3:
We do NOT address our fiscal problems this year, but continue to dance along the edge of the cliff.

Result: Another Grade A



Prediction Number 4:
Israel opens up a 55 gallon drum of whip ass on Hamas. Iran makes the mistake of getting directly involved and things go very badly for them as well. The impact on the global economy is severe, but short-lived. Assad finds a way to stay in power another year in Syria.

Result: Missed most of this with the exception of Assad still hanging on. Grade C.



Prediction Number 5:
The U.S. Economy drifts along with moderate growth. Unemployment finally dips below 7%.

Result: Prediction on the US Economy was about right. Just missed on the unemployment rate as we came in at 7% in December, but not below it. Grade B



Prediction Number 6:
Attempts to ban the manufacture, sale and ownership of assault weapons will fail again. Additional background checks and restrictions are put in place. More mass shootings will occur.

Result: Mostly accurate, although there have been no significant changes to background checks or restrictions. Grade B+



Prediction Number 7:
Tiger Woods will not win a major.

Result: TW did not win a major. Grade A



Prediction Number 8:
Nick Saban will return to the NFL

Result: Saban is still at Alabama. Grade F



Prediction Number 9:
A major railroad will purchase a large truckload carrier.

Result: Did not happen. Grade F



Prediction Number 10:
50% of my predictions will be accurate.

Result: Five A and B’s which on my grading curve, makes this one an A.

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And now for those 2014 predictions.

Prediction Number 1:
This one is a layup…Tiger Woods does not win a major.

Prediction Number 2:
Denver and Seattle meet in the Super Bowl. Weather plays a major factor in the game in favor of Seattle, but Peyton Manning throws a game-winning touchdown pass in the final seconds.

Prediction Number 3:
The Administration will keep moving the goalposts on Obamacare and the costs of the program will become unsustainable. Our healthcare system will get a lot worse, so you better take care of yourself.

Prediction Number 4:
We’ll make significant progress on immigration reform. It’s a mid-term election year and this is an issue that politicians from both sides can get behind. And with an improving economy the business community needs workers.

Prediction Number 5:
The unemployment rate drops below 6.5%. The economy is improving and long-term unemployment benefits are drying up. GDP growth will be in the 2.5-2.7% range in 2014.

Prediction Number 6:
Anyone born after 1980 will cease using the words “twerking” or “swagger”.

Prediction Number 7:
Matthew McConaughey will win the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Dallas Buyers Club.

Prediction Number 8:
St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series.

Prediction Number 9:
Another year will pass with no significant movement toward addressing our federal deficit problem. The stock market will peak in Q3 and begin a downward slide into 2015.

Prediction Number 10:
Hope I’m wrong, but something really bad is going to happen during the Winter Olympics.



“Again I saw that under the sun the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to the intelligent, nor favor to those with knowledge, but time and chance happen to them all. For man does not know his time. Like fish that are taken in an evil net, and like birds that are caught in a snare, so the children of man are snared at an evil time, when it suddenly falls upon them.” Ecclesiastes 9: 11-12