Up is Down, Left is Right

First, let me say that I agree with at least part of the premise being used to rationalize nationalization of healthcare.  The current system of employer-based, income tax driven, highly regulated, government-mandated health insurance system is a mess.

I also agree with the progressive-liberal founder of Whole Foods John Mackey when he said in the Wall Street Journal:

Health-care reform is very important. Whatever reforms are enacted it is essential that they be financially responsible, and that we have the freedom to choose doctors and the health-care services that best suit our own unique set of lifestyle choices. We are all responsible for our own lives and our own health. We should take that responsibility very seriously and use our freedom to make wise lifestyle choices that will protect our health. Doing so will enrich our lives and will help create a vibrant and sustainable American society.

Mackey proposed market solutions, not a government take-over of healthcare.  (Note to Mr. Mackey -- you may be losing your progressive customers, but you are going to gain all sorts of libertarian customers). 

Finally, I agree with former Carter administration adviser and Democrat Patrick Caddell when he raises alarm bells about the power grab taking place in Washington right now that is driven by money and not by sound policy making to say nothing about respect for the Constitution.  It certainly explains the level of lobbying as all sides of the healthcare industry enter the frenzy of rent seeking going on in the halls of Congress right now.  From the LA Times:

Every one of those 534 members of Congress now has six (6!) lobbyists working on them -- and that's just for healthcare.

A total of 3,300 lobbyists have registered to drive the sizzling healthcare issue in Washington -- three times the brigade of lobbyists representing the entire defense industry.

And three more healthcare lobbyists join the ongoing fray every day.

They reported spending more than $234 million massaging and informing and persuading those legislators during the first six months of this year, way more than a million bucks a day, seven days a week.

No wonder the public is turning sour on this whole greedy mess.

My goodness, these are interesting times.  I guess I better get back to my time off and play some more golf.....