Comments on: Medicare Explained http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-explained/ Health Care Policy and Reform Insights | NCPA Thu, 24 May 2012 20:46:35 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: John Goodman http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-explained/comment-page-1/#comment-40320 John Goodman Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:54:23 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1565#comment-40320 <p><em>The New York Times</em> not only does not understand public sector Ponzi schemes, it’s in love with them.</p> <p>In their editorial report card on Bush’s health care legacy, they praise the Medicare prescription drug program ― which has an unfunded liability larger than that of Social Security’s. [<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/03/opinion/03sat1.html?_r=2" rel="nofollow">link</a>]</p> The New York Times not only does not understand public sector Ponzi schemes, it’s in love with them.

In their editorial report card on Bush’s health care legacy, they praise the Medicare prescription drug program ― which has an unfunded liability larger than that of Social Security’s. [link]

]]> By: Bill G. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-explained/comment-page-1/#comment-40236 Bill G. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 23:01:59 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1565#comment-40236 It's not just Congress, Larry. I don't think the New York Times has ever admitted that Social Security and Medicare are Ponzi schemes. It’s not just Congress, Larry. I don’t think the New York Times has ever admitted that Social Security and Medicare are Ponzi schemes.

]]> By: Larry C. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-explained/comment-page-1/#comment-40233 Larry C. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:39:32 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1565#comment-40233 I think Joe is half right. It's not that people want to believe in Ponzi schemes, it's that they insist on denying that they are in one -- even when all the evidence rebuts their belief. This capacity for self delusion is fully reflected in our leaders. How many members of Congress have ever admitted that Social Security and Medicare are lagalized chain letters? I bet you could count the number on one hand. I think Joe is half right. It’s not that people want to believe in Ponzi schemes, it’s that they insist on denying that they are in one — even when all the evidence rebuts their belief.

This capacity for self delusion is fully reflected in our leaders. How many members of Congress have ever admitted that Social Security and Medicare are lagalized chain letters? I bet you could count the number on one hand.

]]> By: Brent http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-explained/comment-page-1/#comment-40231 Brent Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:00:16 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1565#comment-40231 The point about Krugman is right on. He actually believes that the IOUs in the trust funds are real assets, fully comparable to bonds you can buy in the marketplace. If Krugman were right, we could solve our entitlements problems by printing more IOUs. Afterall, paper and ink are relatively cheap. Can you believe this guy won a Nobel Prize? The point about Krugman is right on. He actually believes that the IOUs in the trust funds are real assets, fully comparable to bonds you can buy in the marketplace.

If Krugman were right, we could solve our entitlements problems by printing more IOUs. Afterall, paper and ink are relatively cheap.

Can you believe this guy won a Nobel Prize?

]]> By: Joe S. http://healthblog.ncpa.org/medicare-explained/comment-page-1/#comment-40230 Joe S. Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:55:23 +0000 http://www.john-goodman-blog.com/?p=1565#comment-40230 The reason why con artists like Madoff are successful is that people want to believe in Ponzi schemes. The reason why con artists like Madoff are successful is that people want to believe in Ponzi schemes.

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