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Ahh, "Soviet Union", the answer to every question about the evils of government. I take it that means you don't really want to discuss that point, as "Soviet Un

by sets13 14y ago

Ahh, "Soviet Union", the answer to every question about the evils of government. I take it that means you don't really want to discuss that point, as "Soviet Union" is hardly and answer, and as I pointed out nearly every other first world country has a "larger" government that the USA, and they are almost all in better financial shape too. But we have come full circle, and as I mentioned in my first response free markets are not meant to create a solution for problems whose success is not defined by finding the "fair price" for something. In my books, solution that prevents people from being able to obtain/afford healthcare (and lets be clear, no matter how many "inefficiencies" you might eliminate through deregulation, there will always be a segment of the population that cannot afford to pay for healthcare, just like they cannot afford to pay for housing or food) will never be a success. But this is all a moot discussion. The likelihood of the United States moving further to the left on healthcare is exponentially higher than the likelihood of the industry being deregulated to the point where you scenario starts to be able to realize real benefits. As-such, if a true "free market" healthcare system is not politically palatable for the country, then I think both of us, and the facts, are all in agreement that a single payer or public system would do a much better job than our current "bastardized part-government part-private" system.

pdonis 14y ago
You're probably right that a true free market health care system is not politically palatable, just like a true free market in any aspect of the economy is not politically palatable. That doesn't mean free markets don't work; it means they're not tried. free markets are not meant to create a solution for problems whose success is not defined by finding the "fair price" for something Your definition of a free market is too narrow. Free markets are applicable in any situation where there are scarce resources that need to be allocated. There may not be a "fair" price for health care, but it is certainly a scarce resource that needs to be allocated. There isn't a "fair" price for groceries, computers, etc., but the free market allocates them.
pdonis 14y ago
"Soviet Union" is hardly an answer Sure it is. Consider: it took the Soviet Union more than 70 years to collapse. Someone who looked at the economic numbers of the Soviet Union in the 1920's, or even in the 1930's, might well have thought they were doing great. But they were trying to centrally manage something that's too complex and diverse to be centrally managed, and it caught up with them. Other countries are trying to do the same thing, and it's going to catch up with them as well. Or perhaps I should say "us" since I live in one of the countries (the US) that's doing this.

by sets13 14y ago

pdonis 14y ago

You're probably right that a true free market health care system is not politically palatable, just like a true free market in any aspect of the economy is not politically palatable. That doesn't mean free markets don't work; it means they're not tried. free markets are not meant to create a solution for problems whose success is not defined by finding the "fair price" for something Your definition of a free market is too narrow. Free markets are applicable in any situation where there are scarce resources that need to be allocated. There may not be a "fair" price for health care, but it is certainly a scarce resource that needs to be allocated. There isn't a "fair" price for groceries, computers, etc., but the free market allocates them.

pdonis 14y ago

"Soviet Union" is hardly an answer Sure it is. Consider: it took the Soviet Union more than 70 years to collapse. Someone who looked at the economic numbers of the Soviet Union in the 1920's, or even in the 1930's, might well have thought they were doing great. But they were trying to centrally manage something that's too complex and diverse to be centrally managed, and it caught up with them. Other countries are trying to do the same thing, and it's going to catch up with them as well. Or perhaps I should say "us" since I live in one of the countries (the US) that's doing this.