Friday, April 07, 2006

As Luke Skywalker Once Said...

"I have a very bad feeling about this."

OK, last post (maybe) on the healthcare bill (which I still think sucks ass, btw) before I move on to more important matters.

Let me see if I've got this straight:

1. The total cost of this plan to the taxpayers of the Commonwealth is yet unknown.

2. The cost of individual coverage plans is yet unknown, but likely higher than original estimates had shown.

3. The level of coverage provided by these plans of unknown cost is, well, unknown.

4. The extent to which healthcare coverage for lower-income families and individuals will be subsidized by the taxpayers is ... (any guesses?) ... yep, unknown.

5. Participation in this plan of unknown costs and capabilities, for those who could afford it, but would otherwise choose not to, is mandatory. And, enforcement thereof shall be coordinated with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.

Yep...here come those warm-n-fuzzy feelings again.

Lastly, to show that I'm not just harping on the liberal nanny-staters on this issue, what's wrong with this sentence?

BOSTON -- The most radical portion of Massachusetts' move toward universal health care -- a requirement that all residents carry insurance -- is giving indigestion to some who view it as a breathtaking expansion of government power.

"This is the first time in the country's history where simply by virtue of living somewhere you are mandated to purchase a product," said Michael Tanner, of the libertarian Cato Institute, based in Washington, D.C.

Supporters of the idea, including Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, cite the mandate as a pillar of the health plan because it forces individuals to take responsibility for their health care.


Setting aside the egregious "spelling" error in the Globe's headline (well, they got the L-I-B-E-R part right), it seems Romney's as big a dope as the rest of the pols pushing this debacle. So much for the Republicans being the party of limited government.

Forget the poor people in the Bay State, the people who are going to benefit most from this bill once the ink from Romney's pen is dry, are his likely rivals for the 2008 GOP nomination. Pass the butter - he's toast.