tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208928.post7185739954615380621..comments2024-03-28T14:03:55.912-04:00Comments on Start Making Sense: Paul Krugman on zombie ReaganismDaniel Shavirohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14710628584922961682noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9208928.post-1643785911022535512009-08-24T16:20:21.231-04:002009-08-24T16:20:21.231-04:00If only when "debating" the future direc...If only when "debating" the future direction of the future of American health care, those trying to make the case against the "public option" would even try to actually articulate it in those terms.<br /><br />"My party is opposed to the public option because of the dangerous potential for negative effects deriving from unavoidable and well-documented tendencies of individuals within our governmental organizations. <br /><br />These behaviors are harmful to the general public interest and we believe they will not only occur, but result in a worse situation than even the awful one in which we presently find ourselves. Examples include the misalignment of personal incentives with public goals, the corrupting effect of an implicit backing of an unlimited taxpayer bailout should something go wrong, revolving door of employment of bureaucrats between government and contractors, and also A, B, C, etc..."<br /><br />Alas, it shall never be. Furthermore, I doubt it would work even if it were perfectly true. Imagine the ideal argument along the above lines, one that came as close to "proving the point" as is possible. The most realistic analysis of institution sociology would still be dismissed cavalierly by opponents as essentially a vile and unfounded "ad hominem" personal attack on the ethics and character of loyal, selfless civil servants.<br /><br />Blind faith in the market and blind faith in the bureaucracy and political process are indeed two sides of the same coin. And with each faith comes impeccable angel allies and irredeemable devil enemies with little room left for real people who live in reality.<br /><br />Personally, my (as yet unassuaged) concern with the public option is that it will become to health care what Fannie Mae was to the mortgage industry. I've yet to see the spirited defense of the corrupt political and economic nonsense which occurred at the GSEs during the lead-up to this downturn.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com