Roger L. Simon links to a post at Nospeedbumps.com that explains which nation has had the fastest growing economy over the last two years:

There are practical reasons why most Iraqis may decide that it is better if some American forces stay. Iraq’s economy is likely to continue to make steady improvements. It has been the fastest growing economy in the world for the last two years. If the Iraqis come to see the U.S. presence fostering prosperity in their country, they may conclude it is better if the Americans stay.

Iraq might also benefit from our century of experience at roadbuilding; Les Payne of Newsday reports that private ownership of automobiles has doubled since the days of Saddam Hussein:

Under Saddam Hussein, . . . cars were as rare on the streets of Iraq as ATM machines. Owning a car was a sure sign of deep loyalty to President Hussein, who tightly restricted the import of these expensive, luxury items. While palace cronies whizzed about Baghdad on Italian radials, the average Iraqi, who earned less than $300 annually, succumbed to public transportation and shoe leather.

The Bush War has changed all that. [Does that mean that World War I is more properly titled The Wilson War and and World War II The FDR/Truman War?--Ed] Foreign exchange has put more dinars in the hands of consumption-minded Iraqis. Near the top of the list of luxury items flowing into the country is the automobile. More than 1 million used cars have entered Iraq during the past two years, according to a police survey referenced by the Riyadh-based IFP report, "Rebuilt Iraq." Less than half that number existed in the entire country before the toppling of Saddam Hussein. Mosul, for example, which previously had only 57,000 registered cars, now has 125,000.

Naturally of course, such rapid economic growth and newfound liberties are bound to have their discontents. James Taranto notes the unintentionally humorous angle to that Newsday piece:

It turns out Payne is nostalgic for the good old days of Saddam's fascist rule: "Blame Bush for flood of used cars in Iraq that have become deadly tools of suicide bombers."

Taranto doesn't mention it, but that's actually the lead sentence of the piece!

Talk about not being able to see the forest for the trees. Or the cars.