Responding to Paul

I recently received this comment to my post on how public education is the "public option" to our education demands.

Let me offer these notes point by point.

Allegations of price-fixing, bid-rigging, exclusive sales contracts, local price cutting to freeze out competitors, and the dividing up of markets need to be fully explored through subpoenas and depositions (a law suit by all 50 States and joined by the Feds) so we can get rid of our dysfunctional corporate health care system that's choking the economy to death.

First, I agree that there is a lack of competition but it's because states will not allow out of state carriers into their markets. Even with that, nearly every insurance carrier pays out 85% of their premiums in claims (with the remaining 15% to cover overhead and profit). I don't think that's bad.

I agree that the current system is dysfunctional but that's because we expect our employer's to pay for our use of the health care system. I wouldn't think of handing my home or auto insurance premium over to my employer to pay. What makes health care (something so much more personal) more reasonable.

Federal workers and retirees can select plans at a cost range from $100 dollars a month for the cheapest individual coverage to $500 dollars for the most expensive family plan.

Paul, this is where you show that you are a dumb ass. The federal system you so value is broke and cannot be sustained long term. Of course, you think that's wonderful because people are getting more than they are paying for. But if you had ever taken a short econ 101 course, you would have realized that.

I’m voting “MY” pocket book - I want lower premiums and less money taken out of my paycheck - if they want to help spur on the economy they will make sure this happens for all - not just a select group.

See dumb ass comment above. My guess is you also want a pony. If you want to vote your pocket book, pay for your own damn health care and don't expect me to subsidize yours.

90% of the wealth concentrated in 1% of the population is no way to run a country but a heck of a way to establish a royalty ruling class. Yacht sales can not sustain 350 million people. I'm for the public option, competition and a level playing field or break up the big insurers like we did AT&T.

Paul, have you ever heard the term economies of scale? Look it up. None the less, if you want to increase competition, simply allow cross state sales and purchase of health insurance. That wioll add competition by default. That's not one of the plans from Reid and company.

A slavish focus on profit margin might be good for the individual or a business, but it is one helluva lousy way to "govern" a Country. The GOP being a wholly owned subsidiary of Corporate America has a hard time with that concept.

First, If you looked at last year's donations to the presidential candidates, you would see that Obama and co. received far more political donations from Goldman Sacs and the rest of the Wall Street vermin than McCain did.

Look at how prominent democrats like Rubin, Gorelick and Johnson, looted many Wall Street firms and then preach to me about the GOP.

Other than that, you're point is a non sequitor.

You are a writer and spent a lot of time with this comment but you failed to address the fundamental truth. Look at the way government runs many of our institutions and how the private sector delivers the same product/service. Are you seriously trying to tell me that customer satisfaction with private schools is poorer than public schools?

Or that customers of Fed Ex or UPS dislike their service over, say, the US Postal Service?

You really aren't the serious type are you?

Now go find someone to buy you a pony.