Miles Apart, But So Close

The fiscally irresponsible theocrats that run Iran are in trouble.

Iran's clerical and business establishments, deeply concerned by what they see as reckless spending and needlessly aggressive foreign policies, are increasingly turning against President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad...

...Iran's long-term planning calls for vigorous efforts to reduce the size of government and to curb subsidies to state-owned entities, which account for an estimated 75 percent of the economy. But the Ahmadinejad budget boosts spending by 25 percent and envisions a 31 percent increase in spending on state enterprises.

But, the increasingly unpopular Iranian President is using aggressive confrontation with other countries to boost his popularity, increase fear and distract attention from domestic woes.

Sound familiar?