Since when does the Government have to “compete” with the marketplace?!

These bureaucrats know that the government never has to compete. But they pretend to you that it does. This oversight amounts to, in my opinion, a lie. An out and out lie. So when Gerry Connolly said it again in a response letter to me, I let him have it. Here is a copy of the letter I sent to him this morning:

Dear Sir,

I have contacted you a couple times re: Health Care. In your most recent response via email dated Monday, 7/27/09, you said in part, “With a competitive public option, we can make coverage more affordable for everyone, while maintaining the freedom to choose your own doctor and your own plan…”

This is absurd, and this is the reason that people like me are revolting against the government getting involved in health care in any way. With all due respect, this response ensures that I will not support you in the next election. I am sorry, but that’s how I feel. Here’s why…

How can a “public option” be competitive? The government has no profit motive. It can print money. The current government run health option (Medicare and Medicaid) are hopelessly headed into bankruptcy. Moreover, government has no incentive to provide quality service. So while a private health provider and private health insurance companies must make decisions based on providing high value, and do so with a profit motive (lest they go out of business) the government does not have to consider any of these things.

Employers face a decision: Dump their employee base onto the government or continue to foot the bill. What will they do?

Individuals face a decision: Continue with their current provider, or go with the much cheaper (for the aforementioned reasons) government plan. What will they do?

Families will have a decision: Continue with their current plan, or go with the cheaper government plan. What will they do?

People with a preexisting condition will have a decision: find a private plan, or go with the cheaper government plan. What will they do?

In each of these questions, the answer is obvious. And what will the result be? A massive transfer of people to a government run system. What is the result of that? My taxes going up, rationing of care, and intense government intrusion into the lives of all Americans (and possibly 18 million illegals!). NO THANK YOU!

Again, with all respect, please don’t patronize me by talking about a “competitive public option.” By definition, the government does not compete in the marketplace. By saying this, you have represented either a lack of understanding of market economics, or are outright trying to obfuscate the issue to your constituents. Either one is bad.

Sincerely,

ToBeRIght

During these first 100 days, what has surprised you the most about this office, enchanted you the most about serving this in office, humbled you the most and troubled you the most?

Obama’s answer was in common fashion and quite predictable.  The words that came out of his mouth notwithstanding, here’s what he really meant to say…

Surprised? Well, I am surprised at the ease with which you can fool the American people.  It is so easy to say one thing and do the complete opposite.  Not a day goes by that I am not utterly surprised that half the people of this country continue to believe that I am going to reign in out of control spending, cut taxes and protect them from foreign enemies.  I mean, really…how gullible!  Just the other day I was asked about how I can justify racking up more and more debt with my programs and policies.  I looked the interviewer right in the face and told them that by reducing the cost of health care and reigning in government spending we will balance the budget and continue to grow.  Unbelievable!  I just spent Trillions more than we have and the guy doesn’t even question me when I say I’m going to reign in spending.  Now that’s surprising!

Enchanted? Hmmm, let me see…  Well I was first enchanted by Reverend Wright some 20 years ago.  His anti-American sermons and black separatist rantings not just enchanted me, but brought him so close to me he became like a trusted uncle.  After that I really became enchanted by Saul Alinsky.   His vision for how to capture and keep power is like magic!  Taken together, and along with some added fairy dust sprinkled on by Bill Ayers, Bernardine Dohrn, Tony Rezko and others, I now walk through life as enchanted as one can be.  I am enchanted by the spell and allure of power and the Utopian vision of my aforementioned mentors and political partners.

Humbled? Well, that’s kind of a silly question isn’t it?  I mean, really.  Listen, the only thing that can really humble me is is the power of persuasion itself.  And hey, even that is absurd since I have more ethos, pathos and logos than Socrates himself.  Humbled?  Yeah, right.

Troubled? It is troubling to me how hard it is to convince Congress to vote me the power to rule by decree.  I met with Nancy the other day and she said that it was a non-starter until Harry can convince Olympia,  Susan and Chuck to jump the Republican ship.  Did I mention that the US is a ship?  Well, I digress.  Hugo and I had drinks a few weeks ago and he told me that you really haven’t been a leader until you can rule by decree. It troubles me to no end that I have to wait until I get more defections to get it!

Ladies and gentlemen of the Press Corps and fellow countrymen, thank you for endulging my real answer to this question.  Thank you and God bless.  Wait, scratch that.  Just, thank you.