Un-Liberaled Woman

I think Economics in One Lesson is literally the best book I’ve read – evah.

The idea that healthcare will be cheaper if the government takes control is absurd. If you look at the House bill for instance – and I’m not making this up, read it for yourself – the insurance exchange is a classic price-fixing schematic. Disagree? Then show me an example of where govt. price fixing actually works? I triple, daaaaaawg dare you. (I know – Oooooooh!)

Instead you have example after example during the 30s, 40s, 70s, etc. where price fixing by the govt. leads to drastically negative results. They start as ‘keeping the costs low’ and end up in raised costs over time with lower supply/quality. This insurance exchange is a very similar setup to the slaughter houses during WWII who were required by the Office of Price Administration to process their meat for less the cost to them of cattle on the hoof and the labor of slaughter and processing.

You cannot hold the price of any commodity below its current market level without in time bringing about two consequences – increase in the demand and/or reduce in the supply. Because of these consequences, production of that commodity is discouraged in order to save at cost to keep hold on the damaging below-market value. Then profits margins are reduced, companies are forced to take losses, and private sector competitors are wiped out. All you are left with is an inefficient, govt. monopoly on the commodity. This is a backhanded way of promoting ‘reform’ when, in fact, it is a backdoor to rationing, cost control, etc.

And before any lefties get on the comment board – this is not a lie, not a smear. It is a fact based in the historical evidence from economists like Henry Hazlitt. If you think I’m smearing with these facts, then tell me an example of when supply was reduced, demand continued to increase and yet somehow the price stayed low, quality high without wiping out any services, companies, or jobs.

I’m willing to listen. What cat got your tongue?

Also, employer-based insurance basically came out of wage-control, private sector regulation from WWII as well. The main burst of it happened in 1942. So if anyone is to blame for our sad state of employer-based insurance, you don’t need to look any further than the beltway. A lot of govt. mandates, like blocking of interstate commerce in insurance coverage which would lead to competition and lower prices, actually add to higher insurance premiums. Insurance is one of the most highly regulated industries out there and MORE regulation is supposed to make it cheaper??? You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to see the BS in this concept, folks.

Hey, I’m on the same page when it come to making healthcare more affordable, better access and competitive. But a backdoor way to single payer, I’m not going to support. And I’m not going to support a new exchange system that by LAW says you as a private citizen are not allowed to change your private insurance the year this bill takes affect, and that moving forward you must purchase your private insurance through the exchange that dictates separate regulations between private/public and yet is also where the public option ‘competes.’

The truth is that if a private company rigged a market to be like that, our country would be up in arms about it. Can anyone say Enron? But because it’s govt. it’s called reform and if you disagree you’re labeled as ‘lying’ or being ’simply un-American.’ Paaahlease.

I mean, I get it because I used to think this way – “Companies don’t need this many profits, the govt. is looking out for us.” But over time and just learning about these issues it’s painfully clear to me that this has been a smear perpetuated. Should we go back to the govt. regulating the phone industry? Because profits, free market and less govt. regulation didn’t do jack for the phone industry. All those whipper snappers walking around with their iPhones. Where’s my rotary!!! Oh, that’s right it’s now in that iPhone – Damm you free market, Damm you!