[Superman]

I appreciate this and other mature, respectful discussions about important public policy issues. Let's lobby for a lifetime ban for whoever 'blows this up' with divisive rhetoric.

Hugh eloquently outlined the principle of "pooled risk," which explains why I feel supportive of a public solution. Individuals rarely have the financial means to "self-insure," but together we do have the resources. Indeed, whether the pool is in the hands of a for-profit corporation or a public fund, we underwrite that pool. In the case of a public fund, we potentially have two advantages. Public control, and absence of the skimming of profits from the pool.

In my mind, we have two main disadvantages to a public pool. Dantilla hit the nail on the head regarding research and advances, and so a public option should still retain those incentives that spur technological advances. Yes, this can be done. The other disadvantage is that, sadly, the public does not seem to control public policy. Given full socialization of medical services, certain forces would still whisper into the ears of legislators and exert substantial control of decisions.

Down to Earth: Decisions must be made. Rationing on the basis of who can pay means health is something you buy. I'm okay with yachts and mansions falling into this category, but if health becomes essentially unachievable except for those with yachts and mansions, then America will have moved quite a bit closer to the "winner take all" society we should fear. To the winner should go the spoils. But there will also be losers, and we are forced to decide whether our impressive and robusts medical services community should be bothered with their situation.

Wildly expensive end-of-life medical heroics should certainly be critically examined. I prefer to keep these decisions out of the hands of legislators and corporate managers. Medical professionals and patients should make them. Indeed, it looks to me as if one of the main problems in our system is the hijacking of these decisions.

I'd be very interested, Tobra, in hearing more about employers being prohibited from raising wages after WWII. Very interested. Wages form the center of my professional career, and I am unaware of any such wage regulation, following WWII or any other time in American history.