Landmines to Avoid in the Obama Administration

• Raising Taxes...Any Taxes: In light of the economic downturn, any action that would lead to less money in American pockets, which would lead to less money in the market, would be a critical mistake the country cannot afford right. This includes the capital gains tax, or any other taxes aimed at corporate executives. Any tax levied on that end will result in an increase in prices, cuts in labor wages and benefits, or even more layoffs. Every cost doled out by lawmakers always finds its way to the consumer, which is the last thing the market needs.

• Overall Increase in Domestic Spending: Leftist members of Congress are practically foaming at the mouth with thoughts of a unified Democratic government. With Bush out of the way, big spenders like Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Harry Reid (D-NV), Ted Kennedy (D-MA), and David Obey (D-WI) think they will finally have their chance to provide significant increases to the areas that will benefit their "constituents." After years of accusing Bush of being the most fiscally irresponsible President, these geniuses want to turn around and start spending on all the areas they promised voters they would work on back in 2006. How do they plan to pay for it? Tax increases. See the previous point for why this is a bad idea.

• Immediate Withdrawal of Troops from Iraq: To be honest, I know Obama is not so naive to believe he can just yank the troops out in a few months. Despite what Democrats have promised worried loved one, they know the troops can;t just pack up and leave. However, for the ever ridiculous legislators like Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) and John Murtha (D-PA), there will undoubtedly be repeated calls for an immediate withdrawal. If this were to go through, what little credibility the U.S. still has in the international community would fly right out the window. While I still believe Iraq is better off without Saddam Hussein, I also acknowledge the U.S.'s hand in the current train wreck that Iraq has become. If we were to simply pull out and leave them to their own devices, without the slightest mention of a well-thought, carefully planned transition, any further blood shed would still be on our hands.

• Reducing the Size of the Military: I want America out of Iraq just as much as most others, though my reasons are different. Spending in Iraq is what led to the increase in deficit spending, and the sooner we end it, the sooner we can stop send $100 billion over there annually. Unlike President-elect Obama, who is banking on a near 100% "peace dividend," I realize that at best, we can hope for maybe a $50 billion dividend from ending U.S. involvement in Iraq. But $50 billion is better than nothing. We just have to make sure that in the process, we don't forget the returning soldiers. Considering the amount of money that nearly 50% of the Department of Defense's Budget is spent on personnel, the only way to try and achieve a 100% peace dividend would be to bring U.S. military personnel levels back down to the 2001 numbers. At a time when jobs are being cut on a daily basis, unemployment would sky rocket with the infusion of forcibly retired veterans entering the workforce. They went over there and bled for us, I think we owe them more than that.