MUST READS: The Obama File

Obama’s flaws multiply – John Fund, Wall Street Journal
Barack Obama’s San Francisco-Democrat comment about how working class voters "cling to guns or religion" is already famous.  But his aides tell reporters that he is bewildered that anybody took offense.

Hey, Barack, it’s about freedom – Investors Business Daily
You wouldn’t know it from listening to Barach Obama disparage "people in small towns," but they "cling" to their guns and their faith because of a document called the Declaration of Independence, signed in Philadelphia, where church bells rang out on July 4, 1776. (more…)

Health care psychosis

Samuel Johnson called second marriages "the triumph of hope over experience." The same might be said for the latest health care reform bill at the State Capitol.

For more than 20 years, crusading politicians have promised to deliver better health care to more people for less money simply by saying "make it so." With rare exceptions, the resulting legislation exacerbates economic distortions, makes insurance impractically expensive, drives insurers out of the state, and creates worse problems than originally existed.

Senate Bill 217 seems to be a desperate attempt to "do something" while buying time to figure out what to do. What it does best is to create case studies in irony, hubris and cognitive dissonance. (more…)

MUST READS: Health care

Mandating health insurance is big mistake – Paul Hsieh, MD, Denver Post
Sen. Bob Hagedorn would force all Coloradans to purchase mandatory health insurance because it would be "immoral" to "sit on our hands and do nothing."  Massachusetts also requires all residents to purchase health insurance, but rather than creating high-quality affordable health care, the result has been skyrocketing costs, worsened access, and lower quality health care. (more…)

Moralizing with other people’s money

It’s an article of faith among Democrats that the state budget is a "moral document." However, if the state budget reflects the morality of Democrats then it’s all too obvious that they still worship at the altar of big government.

The fiscal shenanigans at the root of the Colorado state budget should cause anyone who’s paying attention to ask if the Democrats’ morality is still inspired by Bill Clinton.

The latest estimate from the legislature’s nonpartisan economists forecasts a decrease in expected revenues of $693 million over five years, echoing spreading worries of an economic slowdown. But this year’s proposed budget calls for no slowdown in spending. (more…)

Obama not so different rationalizing Wright

"If you really believe black people are ‘fellow Americans,’ then treat them as such." — John McWhorter, Losing The Race.

If Barack Obama truly wants to transcend race, he would do well to apply the words of John McWhorter to his "explanation" of his pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright.

Obama is supposed to be different: a messenger of hope and change, not just another beltway politician; an agent of reconciliation not grievances and reparations; a unifier who transcends partisan and racial divides.

That’s why many gave him the benefit of the doubt when he explained that he didn’t wear a U.S. flag lapel pin because he viewed it as a "substitute for … true patriotism." (more…)

MUST READS: Israel

Hamas’ terrorist tactics not debatable – Investors Business Daily
After your house has been burglarized, your family brutalized and crowds who hate you and religion cheer in the streets at your misfortune, would you take the advice of someone who said talking will solve all your problems? No, you would see that your choice is either to move out or stay and fight.  That is exactly the choice facing Israelis.

Worshippers of Death – Alan Dershowitz, Wall Street Journal
A basic premise of warfare — that combatants can easily be distinguished from noncombatants — has changed.  As more women and children are recruited by their mothers and religious leaders to become suicide bombers, more women and children will be shot at.  That too is part of the terrorists’ game plan.