Jake,

Just one word – why? What was your point with this post? It is just one long partisan fluff piece that still does not answer the question “who are you, what do you believe in, and how do we get there”. It’s the same-ol-sht with you pal, attack, attack, attack – using fear mongering and a weak nexus that falls of its own weight. Let’s begin with the fear mongering:

– “…we’re cooked for a long time.”
– “…inevitable government rationing takes hold.”
– “…destroys a vital part of our economy in the process.”
– “Say goodbye to solid, high quality healthcare you’ve enjoyed…”

The last point is a hoot. The last time the WHO ranked the world systems, we (the USA in case you doubt where I am from) came in 37th behind Finland, Costa Rica, Saudi Arabia, etc. Your standards are pretty low my man. This statement is symptomatic of the virus that flows through your veins – make shit up, ignorant followers will believe it.

The paragraph on rationing is akin to listening to Greenspan spew on about his market philosophy. Let’s not forget the following http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oLHfKjiQew . This paragraph on your market philosophy is pure filler in an attempt to use college level transitions in your writing.

(That’s right folks, not one whit of logical reply or argument yet.  Pure “attack the person.”  Demonstrative, no? –ed.)

The very next paragraph cites an article from The Medicus Firm, which is a national physician search firm (A NATIONAL PHYSICIAN SEARCH FIRM!), is frequently cited by right wingers to support their healthcare position especially when it comes to the claim that doctors will flee our system once the bill is passed. Bill O’Reilly is one such Medicus Fan. This same argument is being used by the right when it comes to “too big to fail”. Jake – you really need to stop watching Fox. Read a book or two – mix it up a bit. Remember, the healthcare industry has paid over 200 million to lobby against the bill. Don’t get suckered into their propaganda. BTW, the survey that the Medicus Firm conducted has already been found to be unscientific. Dude, look behind the curtain every now and then.

The price fixing follow-up paragraph to the Medicus smoke-n-mirrors is another weak attempt to draw market talk/conditions/beliefs into the health care discussion so that you don’t appear to be totally political with your post (or so that you can show creative paragraph transitions – I haven’t figured it out yet). The nexus is weak and you put no meat on the bones. Just relying on the feeble minded to take your leap of logic and say “’ummmm…yeah, that’s right.”

(LOL.  Certainly makes the response easier doesn’t it?  One wonders if the troll even realizes he’s making it difficult to ascertain whether he’s really even got an argument yet?  There’s no mention of support for socialized medicine, yet, fwiw. — ed.)

You then move back to political attacks with your falling rock metaphor that just crashes to earth. If a rock falls in the forest and no one is there, does it make a sound? You seem puzzled by the notion that we just don’t understand that an unfettered free market is the way to go. Please – spare me with this free-market crap. In case you forgot already – see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oLHfKjiQew .

The remainder of your article deals with patronizing “hope” – the audacity! However, it could only possibly be understood by “…those of you (that) understand rational market systems…” That is, for those of us that don’t drink from Jake’s cup-o-cool aid, then, well you are just not understanding, advocates of rational, free market systems. Lol – what a hoot.

(That’s right, save for that little unbolded bit above, we’re still doing about .050 out of  1.000 on the “repliable argument” scale.  Don’t act surprised, this is actually a decent ratio for most internet trolls. — ed.)

The post was a fair attempt at composing an argument with college level structure that would have gotten you a B- in English; however, I am certain your poly sci professor would have given you a C- due to lack of non-partisan supporting facts, lack of argumentative depth, and lack of a coherent nexus throughout the write up. However, with that said, I am certain there are many out there that just say “agreud!”.

And that’s pretty much all there is folks.  Amazing, no?   

First, I’d like to thank Alvari, whom I’ve affectionately dubbed “Lungsac” due to an early misreading of his name, for giving me such a great example of exactly what’s behind most trollish arguments — ironically, ” a lot of expelled hot air.”

As a sop, and a “thank you,” I will now address the very few addressable arguments he provided in contradiction… 

First, his argument that medical personel will not exit the industry upon imposition of price capitation.  Note, he doesn’t really have an argument against that statement, only a weak attack on the polling source I provided:

The very next paragraph cites an article from The Medicus Firm, which is a national physician search firm (A NATIONAL PHYSICIAN SEARCH FIRM!), is frequently cited by right wingers to support their healthcare position especially when it comes to the claim that doctors will flee our system once the bill is passed.

Note, it’s hard for him to even get a partially data-based statement out without referring reflexively to presumably evil  “right wingers,” or worse, the Left’s most hated bogeyman, “Fox News.” 

  I have no knowledge of this being “used by right wingers,” for the record.  I simply took the first article on the subject I found on Google.   The internet is replete with examples of doctor’s being at their breaking point.  I guess Google is become an arm of the nefarious Murdoch Empire,  I don’t know.  

That’s probably why he couldn’t supply anything that says doctors will be seeking to pick up more Medicare patients and other government payors as a result of this wonderful legislation.   Meanwhile, I can find many more articles on the displeasure of the provider community.  No doubt, it’s all a “right wing conspiracy” brought to you by Fox News!

Second, let’s take the World Health Organization (“WHO”)  left wing talking point put forth by M. Le Troll, which claims the US is the “37th ranked healthcare service in the world.”    First, a reasonable person might ask, “What is the WHO?”   Not many will be surprised to find this fraying crutch of the left is the largely anti-American United Nations’ health advocacy group with a strong predisposition to socialized medicine “for all my friends.”  

“Quelle suprise,” no?   Now, is anyone surprised to find that the WHO’s criteria for a decent health care system mandates a socialized medicine diktat?  I quote CATO’s evisceration of this leftist fallacy:

So what of the United States placing 37th – behind Slovenia – in the WHO rankings?  WHO rankings result from an index of five health-related statistics: health level, health distribution, responsiveness, responsiveness distribution and financial fairness. Only health level and responsiveness, Whitman writes, are justifiable measures of a health system. The remaining rankings, he argues, fail to take into account differences in health outcomes not explained by spending or literacy, and instead attribute them to health care performance, creating a fertile ground for demagoguery and selective citation.

“The WHO health care ranking system does not escape ideology,” concludes Whitman. “On the contrary, it advances ideological assumptions under the guise of objectivity. Those interested in objective measures of health system performance should look elsewhere.”

In closing, I welcome sensible argument, even from the hard left.  But if all the trolls can bring is envious ad hominem, I have no interest in responding.

Be forewarned, proponents of government health care– your assumptions and your emotional arguments will be challenged at every juncture.  Gird your loins for further demolition.  

Best to you all, even the misguided Leninists.

___________________________________

Update:  Can you imagine  Barack Obama had been delivering speeches like this as Congresscritter?  Here’s a follow up… did he deliver any?

______________

Hey Jakey,

So this is the blog you tell me so much about. I just wanted to come by and say hi to you and your friends. I’m glad you enjoyed dinner last night, I told you I could cook a good meal that was healthy.

Call me and we will reschedule the training session you missed this morning. I have a bunch of new glute work outs using kettle balls that we can try out together to really firm things up.

I went to the local pawn shop and bought a bunch of gold and silver like you said, but they were all out of guns. This economy thing really is a bummer!

Take care and talk to you soon. xo

____________________

I quite sincerely bow to that kind of talent.   Kudos, M. Le Trol, and you are welcome, any time.

And so too are the rest of you.   Please remember to bring your best game, however, whether it be with regard to the markets or your love for Nancy Pelosi.   I count myself perhaps second only to M. Le Fly in suffering fools gladly.  

Do your homework, earn your goat meat.   That’s all I can ask.

_______________________

Market commentary to come….  hold all tickets.

________