Brief Editorial Comment: Predictions for 2015
<p class="p1">I offer a few predictions for 2015.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Postal Service</strong></p><p class="p1">The service from the U.S. Postal Service will only get worse. More distribution plant closings will be conducted in the coming year. There are massive retirements and resignations at the Washington, D.C., headquarters, leaving little institutional knowledge of the true mission of the Postal Service.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Fracking for Oil</strong></p><p class="p1">Gov. Quinn and the IDNR have managed to screw up the fracking legislation so bad that it will be tough to get investors interested in going with the program. However, an upside, I have a good friend in the oil business and he predicts that traditional oil exploration will grow.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Gas Prices</strong></p><p class="p1">Against current wisdom, I predict prices at the pump will rise by early spring or summer. Control of the price of this commodity is in the hands of so few that they can't be trusted to do what is in the best interest of the public.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Tamms Super-Max</strong></p><p class="p1">The Tamms super maximum prison will not reopen in 2015, as it should. Chicago politics will keep this from happening. And, the Department of Corrections is scavenging the facility daily to support other prisons. At this time, it would cost a ton to reopen as a max or any other level.</p><p class="p1"><strong>SIUC</strong></p><p class="p1">The enrollment at Southern Illinois University Carbondale will see a slight increase. President Dr. Randy Dunn will work quietly to move the institution in the right direction.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Hunting and Fishing</strong></p><p class="p1">It is certainly not what it used to be in Southern Illinois. I predict interest in the activities will continue to decline. Government regulations and costs are the major factors. However, gun dealers should continue to prosper.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Small Retail</strong></p><p class="p1">I foresee growth in small shops opening. It's the dream of owning your own business. It will be spurred by a slightly better economic picture.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Affordable Care Act</strong></p><p class="p1">Obama Care will leave us more confused in 2015. Will penalties be enforced? Where are the health care savings? Regulations are changing or rewritten daily. And, it will not be repealed.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Cubs Could Win</strong></p><p class="p1">The Chicago Cubs have positioned themselves for a great season in 2015. I predict a World Series run, but no championship.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Bank Interest Rates</strong></p><p class="p1">Not much change. I suspect that if you find a fantastic offer for either lending or investment, which is not offered locally, that it is very questionable.</p><p class="p1"><strong>Golf</strong></p><p class="p1">My recreation of choice. Popularity in golf is on the decline. Golf courses that have struggled recently will continue to suffer. Get into the swing of things. </p>