These are classic discussions published back in August 2010
Death Panels and Epidural Panels
One interesting thing about the “Death Panel” hyperboliad was that neither side focused on the reality that Government death panels already exist. I know, because I sit on one.
Medicaid is poverty-level health insurance administered by the states. States and the federal government both fund Medicaid. Because we balance our budgets, there is only so much state government money to go around. State money must meet the needs of public education, higher education, transportation, public safety, prisons, all state programs, etc., etc. – and Medicaid.
When I entered the Legislature in 2001, Medicaid commanded 9% of the state budget: a very large amount. Now, however, even prior to the ObamaCare ramp up, Medicaid commands 20% of Utah’s budget. That is money that will not go to public education, higher education, etc. The growth in Medicaid is out of control. It threatens everything else Utah does.
So, the Legislature has to get a better handle on Medicaid spending. That, of course, means hard choices. ... (read more)
Princeton Is a Safety School
It’s official.
Once again, my fellow Williams College brother and I, remind our other brother – who had to settle for Princeton – that he too could have been an Ephman, had he avoided that “B” in drivers ed. Hands at 10 and 2; how hard is that?
P.S. – Amherst barely makes the list at number 3. Lord Jeffs? Get a real mascot.
Is Obama Smart Enough To Be President?
We’ll likely see this question asked a lot more. President Obama’s intelligence likely falls somewhere in the middle of the pack for modern presidents. That typically wouldn’t be a problem. But, the combination of his sub-Clintonian intellect, his lack of experience (possibly the lowest ever), his incurious disposition, and his unbridled arrogance almost preclude the possibility that he’ll get things right. But, we can always hope that someone of average intelligence, little meaningful experience, scant curiosity, and an unwillingness to learn will shine like a star.
Refusing to release his transcripts (humility, because they are so superb?) and lacking a track record of completed projects (other than campaigns and autobiographies) – candidate Obama was a blank slate. Was he smart, dumb, or middling? Well, he was articulate – easily as articulate as any first-semester law school wonder.
Before the exams, first-semester law school wonders mesmerize classmates with their incomprehensible brilliance. They can answer every question, at length, with an eloquence beyond the... (read more)
Governmentalism — Against the People
Sometimes Government works for Government, not for the people. Thus, a fawning media is a failing media.
The LA Times is amazed to realize that the current administration acts a lot like, well, any old administration, when it comes to its government-knows-best-and-the-people-don’t-need-to-know-anything attitude.
It editorializes, “It is a popular conservative myth to suggest that the “mainstream media” is a liberal lapdog to the Obama administration, that reporters favor the president and that he returns the admiration. In fact, this administration has pursued a quiet but malicious campaign against the news media and their sources, more aggressively attacking those who ferret out confidential information than even the George W. Bush administration did.”
If I were editor, I’d mark up that lede to read, “It is a popular conservative myth to suggest observation that the “mainstream media” is a liberal lapdog to the Obama administration, that reporters favor the president and that he returns the... (read more)
An Open Internet/Net Neutrality
My joint Public Utilities and Technology committee will receive a briefing this Wednesday on net neutrality.
Just this past week Google and Verizon announced an agreement on principles they would advance in order to foster an open Internet. To my worried mind, that could be a nice development.
The Internet works, because Government doesn’t mess with it that much. Concerns that the owners of networks will prioritize some information (i.e., their own and those who pay them) at the expense of other information has prompted some folks to seek Government intervention. Governmental regulation, they figure, is necessary to prevent such discriminatory prioritization of information.
Of course we don’t want differential priorities based on content and source (non-emergency, at least). But, I worry that the cure of Government regulation would be far worse than the imagined illness. Once Government jumps into the business of regulating the Internet, it likely will discriminate against messages it disfavors (like it does, any time it can; pick your... (read more)
An Immigration Discussion – Ethan’s Response
Reading Ethan Millard’s tweets on immigration, I asked, “Ethan, can anyone be concerned about immigration without being racist?” I outlined a few thoughts on immigration, here, and invited Ethan to respond. And, man! did he ever! Thank you, Ethan. I disagree with several of Ethan’s points, and I will respond in a few days. But, I love that Ethan can and will make a point.
For those pining for the good-old days when democratic discourse was genteel, please tell me when that golden era was? In America, we argue loudly about important issues, (1) because we can and (2) because those discussions tend to lead toward improvement. Representative democracy is loud and messy — just like many industrious activities. The problem today isn’t that we argue loudly and passionately; that is a feature of our system, not a bug. (The Robert Gibbs types who want to stifle discussion should be run out on a rail. They are enemies of the people.) ... (read more)
Education Excellence