Great post by Rich Karlgaard
http://blogs.forbes.com/digitalrules/2009/12/its-the-incentives-stupid/?partner=rich_karlgaard_newsletter
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Parliment of whores...
Good OpEd in today's WSJ: "The Price of 'History'"
"The special deal for Nevada was wrong, the carve-outs for Louisiana, Vermont, and Massachusetts are wrong, and the same applies to the backroom deal for Nebraska. All of the special deals should be removed. If the bill cannot pass without carve-outs, what further evidence is needed that it is bad policy?"
"The special deal for Nevada was wrong, the carve-outs for Louisiana, Vermont, and Massachusetts are wrong, and the same applies to the backroom deal for Nebraska. All of the special deals should be removed. If the bill cannot pass without carve-outs, what further evidence is needed that it is bad policy?"
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
WSJ Obamacare op-ed links
A compilation of the Wall Street Journal's Op-Ed's on Obamacare can be found at the following link:
WSJ ObamaCare Articles
WSJ ObamaCare Articles
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Promotion of human freedom
Quick article in WSJ on the passing of Rose Friedman, co-author of one of the most influential books out there.
"Our central theme in public advocacy," wrote Rose in "Two Lucky People," their joint autobiography, "has been the promotion of human freedom. . . . it underlies our opposition to rent control and general wage and price controls, our support for educational choice . . . an all-volunteer army, limitation of government spending, legalization of drugs, privatizing Social Security, free trade, and the deregulation of industry."
and
"We asked her not long ago if she thought the recent economic troubles and revival of statist policies was a repudiation of Milton's legacy. "Oh heavens no," she said. "Milton's ideas are timeless."
From her lips to God's ears....
Dave Ramsey on Cash for Clunkers
Great video railing against this disgusting government rip off, "Cash for Clunkers."
“Whether you use a government or you use a gun, theft is still theft.”
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Obamacare = Rationing. Period
And the articles just continue to pour in. Why does anyone think Obamacare is a good idea?
"Like virtually every economist I know, I believe the right approach to limiting health spending is by reforming the tax rules. But if that is not going to happen, let's not destroy the high quality of the best of American health care by government rationing and misplaced egalitarianism. "
and:
"Impromptu Obamanomics is getting scarier by the day. For all the president’s touted intelligence, his un-teleprompted comments reveal a basic misunderstanding of capitalist principles. "
Spend MORE on Health Care!
I love a good contrarian viewpoint. Craig Karpel's column in last Sunday's WSJ made me sit up and take notice. It's entitled "We Don't Spend Enough on Health Care." The basic premise is that we're looking at the "high" percentage of GDP represented by health care spending in the wrong way. As Karpel points out, "No one thinks the 20% of our GDP that's attributable to manufacturing is weighing down the economy, because it's intuitively clear that one person's expenditure on widgets is another person's income. But the same is true of the health-care industry."
What follows is a fantastic argument that the large spend on health care in the United States is good. It is the logical extension of fullfilling human needs after food, clothing, and shelter -- key drivers of the industrial revolution, as well as the last century.
"The U.S. health-care economy should be viewed not as a burden but as an engine of growth. Medical and orthopedic equipment exports increased by 65.1% from 2004 through 2008. Pharmaceutical exports were up 74.6%. The unprecedented advances expected to come out of American stem cell, nanotechnology and human genome research—which other countries' constricted health sectors cannot support—will send these already impressive figures skyward."
Well worth the read.
What follows is a fantastic argument that the large spend on health care in the United States is good. It is the logical extension of fullfilling human needs after food, clothing, and shelter -- key drivers of the industrial revolution, as well as the last century.
"The U.S. health-care economy should be viewed not as a burden but as an engine of growth. Medical and orthopedic equipment exports increased by 65.1% from 2004 through 2008. Pharmaceutical exports were up 74.6%. The unprecedented advances expected to come out of American stem cell, nanotechnology and human genome research—which other countries' constricted health sectors cannot support—will send these already impressive figures skyward."
Well worth the read.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Trust the People
An outstanding article contrasting Reagan's communication style to that of Obama's. Defintiely worth checking out: "Newt Gingrich: The Great Communicator and the Great Obfuscator"
"Contrast the faith in Americans shown by Reagan with the distrust shown by the Obama Administration. While Reagan had enough confidence in his ideas to leave their fate to the American people, Obama has time and again tried to cut the people out of the democratic process. Instead of having the confidence to defend its ideas, Obama has tried to rush his agenda through Congress with little or no debate, attempted to demonize those who disagree with it, and even asked Americans to inform on their fellow Americans who disagree. "
"Contrast the faith in Americans shown by Reagan with the distrust shown by the Obama Administration. While Reagan had enough confidence in his ideas to leave their fate to the American people, Obama has time and again tried to cut the people out of the democratic process. Instead of having the confidence to defend its ideas, Obama has tried to rush his agenda through Congress with little or no debate, attempted to demonize those who disagree with it, and even asked Americans to inform on their fellow Americans who disagree. "
What's wrong with this picture?
I came across this article on the best and worst places in America to look for a job. You can see the full article here. June 2009 Job postings to unemployed persons. #1 place to find a job is Washington D.C. You can't tax your way to growth!
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Consumer-based Healthcare
It is my belief that health-care reform in the United States is absolutely critical, but what must be at the center of any health care reform is choice and control by the consumer. Consumer choice and a healthy price system is key to bringing down the cost and increasing the quality of health care. This system (also known as- “Capitalism” J ) is at the root of every other consumer market where we enjoy high-quality and low prices in our society today (e.g. Groceries, automobiles, consumer electronics, etc.). This is also what will allow us to afford to take care of those in our society who need help. What successful healthcare reform in the U.S. will entail is far less government intervention, not more.
With that in mind, I have collected the following set of articles, videos, and websites that I think offer interesting contributions to the healthcare debate. For links to articles on both sides of the debate, I recommend the Real Clear Politics website, which aggregates opinions on a number of issues from both sides of the aisle: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/
Resources:
The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare - This is my favorite editorial so far. It is written by John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods. It details reforms of many obstacles to health care reform. The article can be found at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html
Obama’s Senior Moment – This editorial brushes past some of the fear mongering around “death panels,” and instead discusses the reality of services-rationing that must be part of a single payer government system. And the very real affect it will have on the elderly. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203863204574344900152168372.html
Defend your Healthcare –This site is run by Betsy McCaughey, the former Lt. Governor of New York State, and closely details the health care legislation. This is the best source of information for ways the current legislation will limit your freedom (i.e consumer choice) for health care if the current legislation passes. http://defendyourhealthcare.us/
Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine – (WWRD? What would Reagan Do? – yes, I love the Gipper that much J ). The following audio file was recorded by RWR in 1961 to argue against Socialized medicine. It is priceless, as the arguments are entirely applicable today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs
Paul Ryan on the Patient’s Choice Act – In this four minute video, Representative Paul Ryan (R. from Wisconsin) introduces the Patient’s Choice act. Health care reform that puts control and ownership of decisions in the hands of individuals! Addresses issues such as: Why is health care tied to your job? Why does health care have tax exempt status for companies, but not the self employed? Why can’t you purchase health insurance across state lines? Get the Federal Government out of the way! Patients first!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6H3aEob_mo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehouse%2Egov%2Fryan%2Fhealthcare%2Findex%2Ehtm&feature=player_embedded
Newt Gingrich video – Put aside what you think about “Newt” from the 90’s – it was his job to be the tough opposition. “Mr. Newt” is one of the best thinkers on public policy out there. This five minute video is a great introduction to conservative thought on how to reform healthcare. Did you know that it’s estimated that over 10% of New York state Medicad is pure fraud – over 4.4 billion dollars a year. “Why would you raise taxes on honest people before you stop paying the crooks?” (see next item as well) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34URI54WXlc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fhome%2Ephp&feature=player_embedded
Center for Health Transformation – This is Newt Gingrich’s group that advocates for six steps to healthcare reform: 1. stop the massive fraud in the system, 2, move to electronic health system, 3. tax reform, 4. “health” based health system, 5. reform health justice, 6. invest in R&D.
http://www.healthtransformation.net/
TAKE TWO ASPIRIN AND CALL ME WHEN YOUR CANCER IS STAGE 4 - Like her or not, Ann Coulter is a brilliant analyst. This column puts the focus on the source of the health care problem – government mandates, regulations, and general meddling with the free market. Also brilliantly funny. http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/article.cgi?article=322
heydits.blogspot.com - For a continuing set of links and ramblings, you can also visit my blog at http://heydits.blogspot.com/
With that in mind, I have collected the following set of articles, videos, and websites that I think offer interesting contributions to the healthcare debate. For links to articles on both sides of the debate, I recommend the Real Clear Politics website, which aggregates opinions on a number of issues from both sides of the aisle: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/
Resources:
The Whole Foods Alternative to ObamaCare - This is my favorite editorial so far. It is written by John Mackey, co-founder and CEO of Whole Foods. It details reforms of many obstacles to health care reform. The article can be found at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204251404574342170072865070.html
Obama’s Senior Moment – This editorial brushes past some of the fear mongering around “death panels,” and instead discusses the reality of services-rationing that must be part of a single payer government system. And the very real affect it will have on the elderly. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203863204574344900152168372.html
Defend your Healthcare –This site is run by Betsy McCaughey, the former Lt. Governor of New York State, and closely details the health care legislation. This is the best source of information for ways the current legislation will limit your freedom (i.e consumer choice) for health care if the current legislation passes. http://defendyourhealthcare.us/
Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine – (WWRD? What would Reagan Do? – yes, I love the Gipper that much J ). The following audio file was recorded by RWR in 1961 to argue against Socialized medicine. It is priceless, as the arguments are entirely applicable today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs
Paul Ryan on the Patient’s Choice Act – In this four minute video, Representative Paul Ryan (R. from Wisconsin) introduces the Patient’s Choice act. Health care reform that puts control and ownership of decisions in the hands of individuals! Addresses issues such as: Why is health care tied to your job? Why does health care have tax exempt status for companies, but not the self employed? Why can’t you purchase health insurance across state lines? Get the Federal Government out of the way! Patients first!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6H3aEob_mo&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Ehouse%2Egov%2Fryan%2Fhealthcare%2Findex%2Ehtm&feature=player_embedded
Newt Gingrich video – Put aside what you think about “Newt” from the 90’s – it was his job to be the tough opposition. “Mr. Newt” is one of the best thinkers on public policy out there. This five minute video is a great introduction to conservative thought on how to reform healthcare. Did you know that it’s estimated that over 10% of New York state Medicad is pure fraud – over 4.4 billion dollars a year. “Why would you raise taxes on honest people before you stop paying the crooks?” (see next item as well) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34URI54WXlc&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Efacebook%2Ecom%2Fhome%2Ephp&feature=player_embedded
Center for Health Transformation – This is Newt Gingrich’s group that advocates for six steps to healthcare reform: 1. stop the massive fraud in the system, 2, move to electronic health system, 3. tax reform, 4. “health” based health system, 5. reform health justice, 6. invest in R&D.
http://www.healthtransformation.net/
TAKE TWO ASPIRIN AND CALL ME WHEN YOUR CANCER IS STAGE 4 - Like her or not, Ann Coulter is a brilliant analyst. This column puts the focus on the source of the health care problem – government mandates, regulations, and general meddling with the free market. Also brilliantly funny. http://www.anncoulter.com/cgi-local/article.cgi?article=322
heydits.blogspot.com - For a continuing set of links and ramblings, you can also visit my blog at http://heydits.blogspot.com/
Friday, August 14, 2009
The Gipper vs. Obamacare
There is a great link on the Drudge Report today to an audiophile of Ronald Reagan speaking out against socialized healthcare in 1961. You can listen to the audio by clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRdLpem-AAs
I'd pay good money to see the debate between President Obama & this recording!
Seniors beware
Great Op Ed today in the WSJ entitled "Obama's Senior Moment." If you're older, or you love someone who is older (which pretty much covers everyone, right?) you should give it a read. Scare tactics aside - rationing is and will be a government controlled fact of life in a single payer system.
As this article points out, resources are already rationed the right way -- with a price system! What America needs is more free markets and less government in health care.
As this article points out, resources are already rationed the right way -- with a price system! What America needs is more free markets and less government in health care.
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