There is an air of absurdity

The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false. 

Paul Johnson

The state of politics is more about posture and comprimise than fact and truth.  It is interesting to read the opinion of economists in the health care debate.  One reader of Quotefish has voice strong opinions about the issue.  For those who haven’t made their minds up yet.  It may be worth reading Appliued Economics by Thomas Sowell.  If you want to read just his health care discussion, you can find the articles here:

http://www.investors.com/NewsAndAnalysis/SpecialReport.aspx?id=510262

You can read more Thomas Sowell here: Thomas Sowell Articles

Robert Samuelson has strong onions as well without the economic theory.

“The disconnect between what President Obama says and what he’s doing is so glaring that most people could not abide it. The president, his advisers and allies have no trouble. But reconciling blatantly contradictory objectives requires them to engage in willful self-deception, public dishonesty, or both.”

“Obama's proposal certainly won't qualify as "reform," as the president and The Post (also in its news columns) call it. It's more like malpractice: a self-inflicted wound.”

Robert J. Samuelson

http://www.washingtonpost.com/

There will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning

Louis L'Amour

Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm-- but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves. 

T. S. ELiot