Comments on: A couple of things on healthcare

By: Joe White

Joe White — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:43:25 +0000

Dr Thompson wrote:

“As a consumer, I’m not sure that I want competition, per se, I want variety”

Then why do you want single payer?

A ‘one size fits all’ approach to health care is not only contrary to the American tradition of having variety and choices, but it’s downright dangerous as well since there will be no other option, no escape.

You’ll have a health care system with all the compassion of the IRS.

By: ecthompson

ecthompson — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 12:21:28 +0000

The Big three worked together to crush mass transit rail in LA and choke much better car, the Tucker. Did they make a mediocre product for over 20 years? Yep. I think when you look across the American landscape you’ll see multiple examples of large industries working together in order to crush competition. Yet, we are told by politicians that Americans love free enterprise, free markets, etc. when that is not true. As a consumer, I’m not sure that I want competition, per se, I want variety. I’m not sure that the things are the same.

As usual, I appreciate your thoughtful insight.

By: TCB

TCB — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 04:46:36 +0000

I don’t think that it’s a secret that businesses hate completion. However, I do believe that American consumers love competition. Who wants only one brand of cereal or only one kind of store? I don’t see anyone demanding that we close all grocery stores except Walmart. Of course, consumers may love low prices even more. Bottom line, competition benefits the customer, not the company.
I don’t get your point about the Big Three auto makers. I don’t see any evidence that they colluded (formally or informally) to split up the market. Why did they all make their own luxury cars, trucks and SUV’s? If they had split the market, then it would have been more logical for one company to only sell trucks, another luxury cars and another SUV’s. Instead, they all seem to go after each other. Moreover, they were also competing against foreign auto makers.
As far as Big Steel. Well, we don’t have as much of a steel industry due to foreign competition.
I agree that business want to stifle competition. Of course, the best way to do that is by out-performing your competitors. The easiest way to beat the competition is through the government. That’s why K street thrives.