New York Times Editorial, "Egypt’s Economic Crisis": Let's Shower Money on the New Islamist Government

In an editorial entitled "Egypt’s Economic Crisis" (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/21/opinion/egypts-economic-crisis.html?ref=opinion), The New York Times would have us know that Egypt's failing economy is sabotaging its nascent democracy:

"In the year since President Hosni Mubarak was ousted, Egypt has faced many challenges: the military-led government’s brutality against protesters and pro-democracy groups, its resistance to handing power to civilian leaders and the rise of Islamists in the country’s first free elections. Now worsening economic conditions are further sabotaging hopes for a democratic future."

Once again, The Times has it backwards. Given that the Muslim Brotherhood and the even more radical Salafis have garnered 72 percent of the seats in Egypt's lower house of parliament, we now know that worsening democratic conditions are sabotaging hopes for an economic revival.

Needless to say, the editorial board of The Times suggests that the US shower money upon the new Islamist government in order to avert a catastrophe:

"Washington and its allies may not have much sway with the military rulers or the newly elected political leaders in the short term, but they have to build long-term relationships with all segments of civil society. Some say Egypt could be one of the world’s top 10 economies in a generation. That’s a goal worth working toward."

"Egypt could be one of the world's ten top economies in a generation"? Where can I find the person who actually believes this twaddle? I would like to sell him a bridge in Brooklyn.