As the end of the year approaches, it’s time to take another look back to a column/blog post I made in January. I tried to take on the role of prognosticator. From the results, I think that Punxsutawney Phil and North Carolina’s own Sir Walter Wally are better than predicting the future than I am.
Here’s a look how I did on my predictions:
1. Republicans will try to repeal the healthcare bill adopted last year, but they’ll fail. Two things will stand in their way. First, the GOP is still in the minority in the Senate. Second, even if repeal did get through the Senate, President Obama still has the veto stamp.
Bingo! I got this one right. But really, knowing politicians, this one was a no-brainer.
2. The year will come and go once again without Congress agreeing on comprehensive immigration reform. Sooner or later, Washington is going to have to own up to its responsibility and modernize the nation’s immigration system. But this won’t be the year.
Right again! I doubt 2012 will be the year either. So far I’m two-for-two.
3. Republicans in the N.C. General Assembly will work with Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue to pass a balanced budget that doesn’t raise taxes.
Republicans, with the help of a handful of House Democrats, did keep their promise of crafting a balanced budget without increasing taxes. Perdue vetoed the budget. The veto was promptly overridden.
4. Changes are in store for alcohol and gambling across the Tar Heel state. Lawmakers will privatize the state’s liquor sales system. And video poker/Internet sweepstakes will make a comeback, all with the blessing of the powers that be in Raleigh.
Wrong and wrong again. Now I’m two-for-four.
5. The GOP majority will approve a bill requiring a photo ID to vote. But they won’t have enough support for the bill to override a governor’s veto.
I get a check mark on that one.
6. This won’t be the year for social conservative legislation, such as a proposed amendment to the N.C. Constitution to ban same-sex marriages. Lawmakers will spend their time working on the economy and the budget.
What was I thinking? See you at the polls in May.
7. Four teams from North Carolina will make the NCAA basketball tournament, with at least one making it to the Final Four.
Only three made it to March Madness. None made it to the Final Four.
8. The Carolina Panthers will have a losing season again in 2011. Meanwhile, their former head coach, John Fox, will land a job where he’ll have a winning season.
The Panthers, while improved over last year, won’t have a winning season. Fox’s new team, the Denver Broncos, need just one more win in their final two regular-season games to have a winning season.
9. The Panthers won’t sign a No. 1 draft pick either.
They signed Cam Newton. I’m glad I got this one wrong.
10. The Carolina Hurricanes will, on the other hand, continue to improve and make the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year.
Wrong again!
I went four for 10. That’d make a good baseball batting average, but that’s about it.
