Welfare reform.....and Iraq.

Remember welfare reform? People were given two years to get off of general assistance, and then their benefits would end. They would be provided training and education, but the idea was that the firm deadline would motivate people to make the changes they needed to get a job. If they didn't get one, well, it must be their fault or something, but at any rate, the government was done with you.

Why wouldn't that sort of tough love work for the Iraqis?

"You've got two years. No excuses will stretch that out one day. In the interim, we'll give you security, money, infrastructure, and do just about everything you want. But on doomsday, you stand on your own two feet or you don't."

By refusing to set any deadlines, the Iraqis are being encouraged to screw around and quibble. They think this state of affairs can go on for a few days or months. A deadline would focus efforts.