Reagan Admin. Economist: ‘Just Wait Until You See Medicare and Medicaid Done…By the Government’

[Mass]

Given the number of people who do not seem to know that Medicare is run by the government, it could be a good idea for an ad.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/08/05/art-laffer-medicare/

Reagan administration economist Art Laffer appeared on CNN’s Newsroom yesterday to debate health care with CAP Senior Fellow Judy Feder. At the height of the debate, Laffer offered a curious argument against health care reform:

LAFFER: I mean, if you like the Post Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles and you think they’re run well, just wait until you see Medicare, Medicaid, and health care done by the government

Watch it:

[Eric J in MN]

1. I like the Post Office. And the DMV hasn't been bad, either...

...once I got my first driver's license (waiting in line for the written test was a hassle.)

People have to wait to speak to someone at the Post Office or the DMV. They also have to wait in doctor's offices (in waiting rooms), regardless of whether they're paying with private insurance or Medicare or whatever.

I realize that saying Medicare would be bad if it were run by the government is the more dubious part of Art Laffer's remark.

[provis99]

10. the Post Office is a whole lot better than Fed Ex

I can mail a letter via the Post Office for under $1, but the same letter mailed by Fed Ex would cost me over $10. Ah, the wonders of the free enterprise system.

[DJ13]

2. These people take stupid to a new level

They'll say anything.

[stuball111]

13. Calling them stupid

Is an insult to Stupid People. (Quote from A Fish Called Wanda)

[BOSSHOG]

3. I'm a military retiree

and I'm very happy with my GOVERNMENT HEALTH PLAN.

[madokie]

9. I wish everyone had the health care I get as a Vet

I didn't start using it until I turned 54 but now that I am I find all the bullshit I had read leading up to then about how bad it was to be all, well, bullshit. Our VA here in OK is top notch health care and theres just no two ways about that. :hi:

[BOSSHOG]

11. Roger that Teammate

The only thing wrong with the VA in Biloxi is that Katrina crawled up its ass four years ago. And my local doctor takes Tricare. It so horrible I haven't gotten a bill in 8 years.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Uh, DMV's are run by the states. I cannot understand how these people were ever in office.

[dhpgetsit]

5. You just have to wonde what's in that kool-aid!

(btw I could not follow the "Watch it" link)

[wryter2000]

6. Editted -- I saw it

:wow:

Anyone who doesn't know that Medicare and Medicaid are run by the government should have his pundit card taken away.

[Mass]

8. Corrected. Apparently serious, but who knows.

[City Lights]

7. D'oh! nt

[FiveGoodMen]

12. Wow! The stupid really does burn!

[stuball111]

14. Ever stand in line at Wal Mart?

Noooo! Like that never happens...

[Bluerthanblue]

15. what planet has he been living on?

:shrug:

[girl gone mad]

16. Art Laffer is the same idiot who swore up and down..

last year that there was no recession, no housing bubble, nothing wrong with our economy, it was the best economy ever.

Republican economists are a dumb breed.

[slipslidingaway]

21. Art Laffer in 2006 and 2007 video...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0QN-FYkpw

[Canuckistanian]

17. Laffer? Laffer of the famous "Laffer Curve"?

If he's the Republican idea of an "expert", Democrats definitely have the upper hand here.

If a major "Republican expert" doesn't know the facts (or pretends NOT to), what chance do the freeper types have?

[glitch]

18. Yup. Either that or it's an incredible coincidence that he has the same name

and resume. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laffer_curve

Where does the Corpse Media dig up these fossils? Nevermind, I am sure some "think tank" fed him to them.

[Canuckistanian]

23. It just goes to show you

There are NO "respectable conservative experts".

They've ALL sold out.

[TexasObserver]

19. Recommend

[NYC Liberal]

20. They want the federal government controlling Social Security like it's some kind of federal program

Remember that gem from Commander Codpiece, I think it was during one of the debates in 2000.

[slipslidingaway]

22. knr nt

[havocmom]

24. How low can their regard for people's intelligence go?

Well, since there are idiots who will believe what they say, I guess it's worth the risk of embarrassment for them to say such ridiculous things.

[glitch]

25. It's possible their own intelligence doesn't allow them to realize their statements are idiotic.

They may not be capable of gauging the intelligence of 75% of the populace.

This could explain their free-floating rage.

[Arkana]

26. Arthur Laffer is a worthless asshole who should never be given the time

of fucking day on anything economics-related.

"HURF DE DURF TRICKLE-DOWN ECONOMICS! SURELY THERE'S NO CHANCE THE RICH WILL HOARD THEIR INCOME AND CREATE AN INCOME GAP THE SIZE OF WHICH WE HAVEN'T SEEN SINCE THE GREAT DEPRESSION!"

[hyphenate]

27. Just goes to show some people

can't even use the brains they were born with.

The Post Office is NOT run by the government--I don't know the exact year, but it had to be in the 70s when it separated.

As for Registries of Motor Vehicles, they are state run.

What a dolt.