Change In Which We Can Believe
Today is Thursday, 4 March 2010.
Two economists are walking and talking shop. Suddenly, the socialist economist exclaims, “Look! A hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk!” The capitalist economist replies, “Nonsense! Were there a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk, someone would have picked it up.”
Moral of the story: foolish people never let their ideology be blinded by reality.
Such is the case with the American healthcare system. For decades, the American system, based on for-profit insurance, has delivered healthcare inferior to that in many nations with single-payer systems, at greater cost. Those who refuse to recognize the need for conversion to a single-payer system would drive the nation toward even worse healthcare, and possible bankruptcy, all in pursuit of the Almighty Dollar, the Golden Calf of the USA/USE.
According to the false prophet/profit Adam Smith, there is an “invisible hand” guiding capitalism, such that “By pursuing his own interest he [the capitalist] frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.” (The Wealth of Nations, Book IV) This is patently not the case in the healthcare system.
It’s cute, if eventually tiring, when a six year old child introduces an imaginary friend into the world. It is delusional and disastrous when an adult introduces an imaginary force into the real world, and convinces people to act as if it were reality.
Obama and Congressional Democrats, plus such Congressional Republicans who have at long last a sense of decency (if indeed there are any of the same), must use the reconciliation process swiftly to pass not-for-profit healthcare insurance.
_____________________________________________
By my reckoning, the Modern Age began on this date in 1493, when Columbus anchored in Lisbon harbour, bearing news of his “discoveries”.
_____________________________________________
On this date in 1917, Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first female member of Congress. A lifelong pacifist, she was the only member of Congress to vote against the declarations of war in both 1917 and in 1941.
Two economists are walking and talking shop. Suddenly, the socialist economist exclaims, “Look! A hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk!” The capitalist economist replies, “Nonsense! Were there a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk, someone would have picked it up.”
Moral of the story: foolish people never let their ideology be blinded by reality.
Such is the case with the American healthcare system. For decades, the American system, based on for-profit insurance, has delivered healthcare inferior to that in many nations with single-payer systems, at greater cost. Those who refuse to recognize the need for conversion to a single-payer system would drive the nation toward even worse healthcare, and possible bankruptcy, all in pursuit of the Almighty Dollar, the Golden Calf of the USA/USE.
According to the false prophet/profit Adam Smith, there is an “invisible hand” guiding capitalism, such that “By pursuing his own interest he [the capitalist] frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it.” (The Wealth of Nations, Book IV) This is patently not the case in the healthcare system.
It’s cute, if eventually tiring, when a six year old child introduces an imaginary friend into the world. It is delusional and disastrous when an adult introduces an imaginary force into the real world, and convinces people to act as if it were reality.
Obama and Congressional Democrats, plus such Congressional Republicans who have at long last a sense of decency (if indeed there are any of the same), must use the reconciliation process swiftly to pass not-for-profit healthcare insurance.
_____________________________________________
By my reckoning, the Modern Age began on this date in 1493, when Columbus anchored in Lisbon harbour, bearing news of his “discoveries”.
_____________________________________________
On this date in 1917, Jeannette Rankin of Montana became the first female member of Congress. A lifelong pacifist, she was the only member of Congress to vote against the declarations of war in both 1917 and in 1941.
posted by HH at 10:07 AM
7 Comments:
". . . Congressional Republicans who have at long last a sense of decency (if indeed there are any of the same),. . ."
"If/them" statements . . .tisk, tisk, HH. ALL Republicans have no sense of decency? Guess I better hide my voter registration card lest I be viewed as indecent.
Correction -
I meant "If/then" statements. Typo on my part.
Note that I did NOT say "ALL" Republicans. I said "Congressional Republicans", i.e., Members of Congress who are Republicans. Believe it or not, but, in my callow youth, I actually DATED Republicans.
:-)
OK, you know the character of all Congressional Republicans? You can make judgements of people's character soley based on one action? No, you can't. Everyone is multi-faceted.
Ha, ha, ha. You dated Republicans? What is that - inferring you dated another species. Admit it - if you were not married and an intellegent, beautiful Republican woman wanted to jump your bones, you'd go for it.
Yes, Congressional Republicans are multi-faceted. All of them have, at one time or another, done such as supporting war crimes and crimes against humanity in Iraq, Afghanisstan, Central America, etc., voted against the human rights of women, homosexuals, etc., busted the budget to pander to the rich at the expense of the lower and middle classes, etc. Diamonds with many facets and many flaws.
I don't consider Republicans another species; just trying to inject a little humour into a grim situation.
Robert KKK Byrd - Democrap
Not wishing to go all "Pulp Fiction" medieval and pedantic on your ***, but a period was missing from your comment. Attention to detail is frequently a virtue.
You say "potatoe" (cf. DQ), I say "potato".
And St. Barry Goldwater was a proud state's rights white supremacist.
You say "Democrap", I say "Republicrime".
Post a Comment
<< Home