How confusing is health care policy in America? So confusing that the New York Times can’t even figure out if American business is for more government intervention or against it. On page one of today’s print edition, business is still relatively hostile to the idea of socialized medicine:
Over the years, many employers have become expert in buying health coverage for employees, and they do not want to drop this responsibility or dismantle the current system.
But in the Week in Review, they seem warmer to the idea:
Today, it should not be surprising that a major supporter of the Medicare drug benefit is the Employers’ Coalition on Medicare, made up of companies like Caterpillar and Goodyear and trade groups like the National Association of Manufacturers, which was once antagonistic to such benefits. When the drug plan was approved in 2003, the companies were promised billions of dollars in subsidies.
Some want government to go further.
Welcome to the funhouse.
Now Playing: Episode 360
Biden and Palin square off while international intrigue heats up in Africa and the Middle East.
Links Mentioned: Africom … Frank Rich on Palin …
If the US had any sense of subtlety, we would’ve set Hamas up to win — much like the Harkonnens set up House Atreides. Instead, we’ve provided them with an excuse for their inevitable failure.
Shame that Bush is “such” a straightshooter … he’s able to be deceitful everywhere except where it might actually be useful.
Matski,
How do we know that they didn’t actually set them up? It fits — the Republicans would have preferred Howard Dean to Kerry, I’m sure they’re getting some mileage out of Ahmadinejad in Iran. This could have been “planned,” insofar as these things can be planned.
And if you’re not into conspiracy theories (I’m not), at least wouldn’t a policy of neglect ensure that Hamas won? If I’m not mistaken, the administration pushed to have the elections take place now when the Israelis and P.A. wanted to delay them. At the very, very least, both outcomes have silver linings . . .
Good points … although I’m not much into conspiracy theory, either.
However, evidence doesn’t look much like supporting the theory here. NYT reported that the US fast-tracked ~$1.5 million in projects over the last few weeks to try and bolster Fatah.
Anyway, I don’t see what the US would gain by secretly supporting Hamas over Fatah. Any benefits from a Hamas win (and there might be many) could only be possible from a public position of support — or at least, benevolent neutrality. Supporting Hamas secretly just doesn’t make sense, from a PR perspective.