The Senate Finance Committee has finally posted online its bill overhauling health care in the United States. It comes in at 1,502 pages. I didn't want to strain my eyes so I just read the first line: "To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes." Of course, the effect of the bill will be the exact opposite of its intent. It will inflate the cost of health insurance by mandating it and necessarily lessen the quality of care as it expands coverage to those unwilling or unable to pay for it.

Dan, one of these days I'd like to see you defend your economic stance. I suppose your job may have already been "done" by the likes of Rothbard and Mises, who I've seen you reference now and again. Personally, I think you are unquestionably at your best when you discuss economic matters, and would like to hear an argument in your own words. Just a thought.

I loved that last part - 'and for other purposes."'

Like for anything else they can think to spend our money on? Why not!!? Got to cover all of the bases.

Country is drowning in red ink so why stop at spending trillions that we don't have on a government takeover of healthcare that we don't need, don't want and that we know will be a disaster and death sentence for most Americans? And, oh by the way, we (i.e. - Dems) will throw more billions that we don't have at whatever we deem necessarily unnecessary.

Hey kids, have you heard that even though the last subprime mess pretty much collapsed our economy, the O administration is going to do it again? And just can't wait for Stimulus 2. Just more nails in the coffin for evil old America.

Just like the rest of them? You bet.

In the words of that most popular conservative repub Dick Cheney - "Deficits don't matter"

Yes! Of course! You've got it!!

It's Bush and Cheney's fault!!!

Good show.

I do wish all of us would stop blaming Bush or Obama. It's all of the politicians....they no longer represent the people....they only represent big government & more power for themselve.

There is a new book just out (A Time To Stand by Oliver) that is a must read if you want to read an insightful view of modern day Amerians struggle against federal tyranny. It's superb cause they finally take a stand against all politicans and, like Lexington 1775, they start the 2nd American Revolution. It's a must read. I gave 2 to some friends. Just read it & see what's coming after health care. It's scary.
www.booksbyoliver.com

The biggest differences between then and now I think is that the Bush Team were Americans and believed in our exceptionalism. The current regime does not and believes that America should be knocked from its high perch to become just another member of the United Nations. Its leader works to be more of a citizen of the world than the Amercian he allegedly is.

The domestic and foreign policies demonstrated by the Obama Team have been like no others and rarely seem to have America's interests in mind.

So far, it's been unfortunate that this budding young anti-American socialist has been too successful at instituting his Rope-a-dope and Change agenda.

It is radical statements like that asdf that serve no beneficial purpose, but are meant to be divisive and perpetuate an agenda that is just as extreme as any left-wing movement. Your statements are just as hollow as the anti-war people who claim that Bush/Cheny were inherently evil and wanted to destroy our country and rights. Your inflammatory remarks offer no constructive criticism nor facts to back up your opinions.

One could just as easily make the same statements you just did about the previous administration, citing our involvement in Iraq as having no domestic interest and the corporate-socialist/corporate-welfare policies as contributing to the degradation of our nation.

Your aim is to scare people into agreeing with your radical mindset, which makes YOU a terrorist.

I don’t think it’s reactionary when one sees what’s going on in this country and is concerned. And that’s what I’m communicating here – my concern. Excuse me for not putting a happy face on it for you.

We have never had such a flawed radically left person as President in the history of the United States. And one so dedicated to changing a country that’s been relatively successful and a beacon of hope for the world to one that reflects what his way left political and social ideology dictates.

Bowing down and cow towing to despots and dictators of every stripe, taking over private businesses, massive wealth distribution, class warfare, thwarting the Constitution and centralizing Executive power; it’s all there for those who would be honest with themselves and recognize that this country will surely change for the worse under this current regime.

There will be no hand wringing here. But it’s important to note the seriousness of it all so those of us who still think this nation is a good one can work as hard as possible to get these would be dictators out of office before we become just another third world country.

Don't you realize the similarities of your criticisms and those against the Bush admin? They are equal. I am a proponent of neither side, but can realize that Obama is no more or less flawed as Bush. "work as hard to get these would be dictators out..." Wait a minute? Who said 'This would be a whole lot easier if this were a dictatorship, and I was the dictator'?

Think long and hard about that one.

"thwarting the Constitution and centralizing Executive power" was a major criticism of Bush/Cheney

"taking over private businesses" Lets remember who started the bailout mess.

"class warfare" The disparity between high and low only grew under Bush.

"We have never had such a flawed radically left person as..." Change 'Left' to 'Right' and you describe the Bush/Cheney administration perfectly.

So you see, you speak a lot of words without really saying anything of substance. And I continue that your message is one intended to induce fear rather than promote progress, mr. anonymous internet terrorist.

Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?

Nothing to see here, move on…….

Obama and "the other side of Barack's brain," Valerie Jarrett whose stepfather maintained close ties with the President's adolescent mentor and Communist, Frank Marshall Davis handpicked the following bureaucrats to serve in positions of great authority, power, and visibility:

Van Jones, "Green Jobs Czar," self-defined Communist and Truther. Dismissed under a cloud of controversy.

Ron Bloom, "Manufacturing Czar" cites Chairman Mao as a political guide. On the free market system and Chairman Mao: "We get the joke. We know that the free market is nonsense.... We know this is largely about power....We kind of agree with Mao, that power comes from the barrel of a gun."

Anita Dunn, White House Communications Director, who stated in an address to high school students this past June on Chairman Mao: he is one of my two "favorite political philosophers," and "one of the two who I turned to the most...."

Obama handpicked and placed these Socialists and socialist sympathizers in positions of great authority and visibility:

Carol Browner, Director, White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy, an ardent Socialist activist and one of 14 leaders of Socialist International's, "Commission for a Sustainable World Society," which calls for "global governance."

Cass Sunstein, Administrator of the White House Office of Administration and Regulatory Affairs , "who openly argues for bringing socialism to the United States, and even lends support for communism...."

And many others.

Follow?

Rogue Wave - hard core liberalism is like eating vegetables: you either like carrots or you don't. No one knows why one does not like carrots, they just don't. It's sort of hard wired.

You demonstrate all of the symptoms of one who is hard wired. Doesn't matter what facts you realize, because you're going to avert your eyes, avoid the facts in front of you and believe that a radical Communist Marxist tool like Obama and his regime is the same as the previous administration.

Replace 'Left' with 'Right' and they are the same? No. Too easy to work.

"thwarting the Constitution and centralizing Executive power" was a major criticism of Bush/Cheney"

The Patriot Act? Wiretapping suspected terrorists? Compare that with O calling the Constitution a "Charter of negative liberties" and circumventing Congress and the laws by consolidating Executive power with his own 'czars'. And a bunch of socialists at that. His enemies lists, his attempts at shutting down the first and second amendments (oh, it's in the works). Bush/Cheny NEVER went to those extremes.

"taking over private businesses" Lets remember who started the bailout mess."

It's true that TARP was initiated by the Bush administration, but he never thought to take over private businesses and certainly not on the major scale Obama has. If that's not true. On a side note, I was watching a program on Porsche last night and the first thing Hitler did when he took over was to nationalize the auto industries and give power to the union thugs that supported him. Sound familiar?

"class warfare" The disparity between high and low only grew under Bush."

Did Bush ever send ACORN to protest in front of the private residences of corporate citizens? No. Did Bush ever attempt to stop the pay and compensation of those in private business in the name of 'fairness'. No. Did Bush ever accuse doctors of severing limbs for profit? No. But the Marxist in Chief is right on schedule with that kind of demonizing of private industry and professions in the name of helping the have nots. Comrade.

"We have never had such a flawed radically left person as..." Change 'Left' to 'Right' and you describe the Bush/Cheney administration perfectly.

Well, it is true that Obama is all of those things. Bush/Cheney? No. And you have to do better than switching right for left. Please.

Conservatives at least, for the most part, know what they're talking about and can be reasoned with. Not so with the O-bots.

Thomas, how original of you to recite Radical Right Wing talking points, while ignoring conservatives that did the same things... Remember when McCain took influence from and quoted Mao? no? Here, let me refresh your memory http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/34925_Video-_John_McCain_Quotes_Chairman_Mao

Oh, and in that page you will also find that the current speaker of the house Mr. Newt Gingrich also finds inspiration in Mao as he quotes the communist leader.

I especially love your Annita Dunn reference, which is also a right wing misdirection that pulls a partial quote completely out of context, as explained on that same page.

I particularly love the sensationalized use of the word 'czar' by the radical right to demonize the administration. What's that you say? Obama uses the same term? Really, pull your head out and stop following radical media sources like Fox News and Hannity http://thinkprogress.org/2009/09/09/hannity-czars-words/

asdf, your slimily is inane and off base. I am neither left nor right. I am upset with all admins that we have had during my lifetime on some level. This wikipedia article highlights how Bush had ONE fewer czar than Obama http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._executive_branch_czars

And Bush abused the war time crisis (which was originally not authorized by congress) to expand executive power as explained here http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/155789.html

Really, it seems that you are eating carrots sir. And to say that you can be reasoned with is the biggest farce on this page, you are like talking to a wall. Go back and listen to more Limbaugh or Savage...

Your attempt to commensurate Bush and Obama is just a joke.

For many like you, the response is always something like 'they were the same' when they were and are absolutely two different animals in most respects.

Even with examples of differences (with many many more not mentioned) you come back with the same mantra to justify your belief that things are just about the same under Obama as they were with Bush and that the two personally, socially and politically are of the same ilk.

You will likely not open your eyes to see that it isn't true. Even when the next Obamatastrophe hits.

Just keep burying your head my friend. Whatever works for you.

On a side note of how O and GW are not close, at least Bush worked for a living.

O has played more golf in his 9 odd months than Bush played in three years! And has taken three times the vacation in his first year than Bush.

Now that 'change' you can believe in!!

Worked for a living? HAHAHAHA! God I haven't laughed that hard in a while... Bush is the DEFINITION of silver spoon and trust fund baby. Wow... good one.

As well, Bush spent 487 days at Camp David, and 490 days at his ranch in Texas during his presidency. This is a total of 977 days, or about 33% of his 8-year Presidency, on vacation during a war he started without congressional approval.