Calling him out

Look, it seems pretty obvious to me that this nation will eventually develop some sort of universal health insurance. It may happen in the next Presidential term or the next generation but it will happen because it must happen. Here is why.

First, American companies face a substantial competitive disadvantage against nations that offer universal healthcare. Companies that offer employees some subsidized plan face a massive expense that the foreign competitors do not, increasing the per unit price of labor on US goods and services relative to everyone else. On the other hand, companies that provide no healthcare benefit or a substandard offering face the prospect of decreased productivity and increased absenteeism within their workforce, again at a disadvantage compared to their competitors. Secondly, an ever growing proportion of American citizens see a government role in providing healthcare. A recent Gallup poll asked,

"Do you think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have health care coverage, or is that not the responsibility of the federal government?"

64% said that yes, the government has that responsibility. The worm has turned on this issue. The only questions remaining are what will the plan will look like and how long will it take to be implemented.

All of that leads me to Krugman’s column today in which he slams Obama for being disingenuous in his healthcare policy. Unfortunately, Krugman is right. I had really high hopes for Obama but for all of the hype surrounding the his campaign, the man himself has made some terrible policy choices of late, first on claiming that the Social Security crisis must be addressed (not in crisis BTW) and now on his non-universal universal healthcare plan. Being right about the war is great and all, but being wrong about so many other issues kind of negates that point.