Watch this brilliant economist try to scare CNN viewers with these ominous words:
[J]ust wait till you see Medicare, Medicaid … done by the government.
I happened to be paying very close attention on the day we talked about Medicaid in law school and I’m pretty certain it’s a government-run program. And the fact that I’m alive, living at home, and not lying in my own filth tells me the government is doing something right.
There are plenty of legitimate criticisms to be directed against the health care legislation pending in Congress. It may not do enough to reduce skyrocketing costs. Its proposed financing mechanisms are gimmicky. It’s a giveaway to private insurers. But listening to most Republicans talk about health care is a depressing and wearisome experience. Whatever basic understanding they have of the policy issues involved is completely overwhelmed by their all-consuming fear of government.
