Submitted by morgan-lynn griggs lamberth, Aug 8, 2007 11:47

This is more libertarian nonsense.The post office , the VA, Medicare-Medicaid and Social Security do fine. He uses the fallacy of equivocation in regarding government services as socialism with that of the Soviet Union, the complete take over of all property.The Nanny State implements the general welfare that the Courts uphold. For around 70 years, libertarian Cassandras have brayed that we are on the road to socialism.If government service are an example of socialism, then the Framers and Henry Clay led the way! What the people of Wisconsin pay in taxes, they will save in deductible and co-payments and get even better health care.The Soviet Union did not have adequate care. Scandinavia and France have good health systems. Yes, the people demand all this in different countries. The people in those countries have not lost freedom but have gained freedom from fear of starvation ,etc. Instead of braying that the people are so wrong, libertarians to be intelligent rather than rigid ideologically should look at the different proposals on their own merits without using socialism to stop critical thinking! Pragmatic economists such as Paul Krugman and Jeffrey S,Sachs know that our regulated free enterprise system works so much better for alll that the anarchy of laissez-faire or the complete state-run enteprises.Our social compact works for all and we can better it. It is a matter of trial and error as in science to dileneate the areas of independent, public and private sectors. They are so interrrelated. Govermenment schools and roads and bridges require the private sector to provide the construction thereof. People receiving government assistance buy private sector products- better for the economy than the super-rich buying a few yachts.No, I hope that the new Hillary-care will exist as part of our valued Nanny State! Google liberalism resurgent and objections to libertariansim for more on the role of government to help us . We need free trade but must have TAA and such to help displace workers.It is the all or nothing fallacy that Stossel also uses. Spencer-Randism is a dystopia[ Herbert Spencer- Social Statica and Ayn Rand- Atlas Shrugged]!

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