0 That's a lot of cabbage...

I haven't had much to say about the health care kerfuffle. For my part I'll reconsider my position on turning it all over to a federal agency as soon as someone shows me a federal agency that does a good job. Until then, count me in the "nay" column. The thing about it is that it has become something of a moot point. You or I or the guy down the street aren't going to see squat regardless of what congress and the administration do.

Consider this astonishing headline from Politico:

"Bailouts could cost U.S. $23 trillion"

Granted that's a worst case scenario, but the point is we're on the hook for that amount. It's like co-signing a loan.

Remember a few short years ago everyone was wringing their hands about how to pay for Social Security when the baby boomers really start hitting the system? They've been using your Social Security payments to offset budget deficits for decades. There isn't a penny in the account, just IOU's. The tax rate necessary to continue benefits at current levels will be prohibitive.

Now consider all the bailouts and the Porkulus bill on top of the Social Security snowball. Now consider adding the cost of socialized medicine to that. The money isn't there and there is no where to get it. The economy is in the shitter with little prospect of getting better. We're dependent upon the Chinese to finance our exploding debt, and they are beginning to balk.

I hate to be the one to poop in anyone's Fruit Loops, but this all translates into a much lower standard of living for us and future generations. You'll be lucky if you ever see a dime of Social Security, and you aren't going to see any appreciable benefit from whatever health care scheme they come up with. On the other hand, Goldman-Sachs, AIG and your elected representatives are going to do just fine.

Are you ready for torches and pitchforks yet?