Not The Way You Hope

clipped from www.reason.com Some statements are inherently unbelievable. Such as: "I am an official of the government of Nigeria, and I would like to deposit $60 million in your bank account." Or: "I'm Barry Bonds, and I thought it was flaxseed oil." And this new one: "I'm Barack Obama, and I favor more competition in health insurance." That, however, is the claim behind his support of a government-run health insurance plan to give consumers one more choice. The president says a "public option" would improve the functioning of the market because it would "force the insurance companies to compete and keep them honest." He has indicated that while he is willing to discuss a variety of remedies as part of health insurance reform, this one is non-negotiable. Will introducing a government-run insurance program work? After all, that Nigerian financial scam works. Just not necessarily the way you hope.