Lying to themselves

Background: Jack Lessenberry is a columnist for the Metro Times. According to Jack, there is no social ill or problem that cannot be solved by applying more government. What I find ironic is that he rails on Granholm and the Michigan Legislature (and Bush for 8 years) for being morons but he believes government can still solve everything. The problem, as defined by Milton Friedman (paraphrased), is not that we need good people in government to do the right thing but rather we need to change the incentives so that bad people do the right thing.

Like most of the crass voices in the health care debate, Jack Lessenberry joins in the fray as if it’s an argument on the playground - you’re a liar, no you’re a liar. In reality, the truth in the debate is not going to be found by the extremists on both sides screaming at each other.

None of the alleged lies is clear and bald-faced. When Obama claims you can keep your insurance with his plan, he’s basing this on the fact that the proposal doesn’t prohibit it. But just because the bill doesn’t outlaw private insurance, doesn’t mean the incentives won’t affect whether you keep your plan.

On the other side of the aisle, we hear about death panels and free care for illegal aliens. Both issues are based in a kernel of truth but have been exaggerated to stir up opposition.

So what is the truth? When it comes to politicians and bureaucrats successfully reforming health insurance, people should keep in mind their track record.

The Madoff scheme known as social security has an unfunded liability of $17.5 trillion. Medicare is at $38 trillion. The federal debt is $11.8 trillion and this year’s deficit is estimated at $1.7 trillion.

In spite of this, some people trust that Obama and an army of bureaucrats will lower health care costs and save money. These people are lying to themselves.

[Letter to the Editor - Metro Times. Submitted 09/28/2009.]