You and Mr. Krugman are two people that are pointing out the obvious lies of the conservatives/establishment. Often, the logic of establishment economists is just bazaar.

Remember when they used to say that rising wages caused rising prices? Ever wonder why didn’t Exxon use this excuse for gas prices? I guess we know better.

Now you see them arguing that cars today aren’t really more expensive than they were in the 1950’s because today’s Chevy with all its technical improvements is equivalent to yesterday’s Mercedes. Those poor folk that drive those worn-out Chevys are so much better off than laborers of the past.

But you don’t hear them say that today’s minimum wage of $5.25 is really dirt cheap when compared to 1900’s because most low income workers have a high school education that was very rare and expensive back then. No, employers aren't getting more than they pay for ... supply demand determines what people are worth.

Economists are mostly advocates in the sense that they support the positions of those that hire them. Working people don't hire economists often so it’s no surprise that economists don’t support their positions.

What we overlook is that times are really difference. In the old days, not much was expected of people at the bottom of the wage scale. Then, there was no such thing as mandatory child car seats, insurance, driver’s licenses or child support. Nowadays, the working poor can find themselves outlaws, not because they are bad people, but because they don’t make enough money on minimum wage to live legally.

Medical costs are rising because of the refusal of the American people to take responsibility for their own health and the collusion between the government and medical industry to make us all chronic patients. The FDA and the USDA are completely controlled by the industries they are supposed to regulate. Drugs and foods are sold that are essentially poisonous. Obesity, diabetes, and osteoporosis are seen as medical conditions rather than the results of improper lifestyle. Most Americans suffer from vitamin D deficiency, but the use of sunblock is pushed and Fosamax and its ilk are prescribed for the resultant osteoporosis. Type 2 diabetes is treated with drugs instead of simple lifestyle changes. Many Americans see medical care as some sort of consumer good, in which the more you spend the better off you are. A large number of doctors get some sort of well-laundered kickback from pushing prescription drugs. These kickbacks take the form of lectures at fancy restaurants and resorts. Most of us have to pay for our vacations and fancy meals. Surgeons routinely perform unnecessary operations to line their pockets. However, I do not believe that the medcial profession is utterly cynical. They are as confused as the rest of us about proper treatment. The fault lies with government, Big Med and Big Ag who routinely push lies and propaganda regarding medical care and food.

Yeah, except don't do that. Medicinal marijuana is still illegal is most of the US.

Kind of ironic isn't it. The very people who can't afford a doctor are the ones who are most likely to spend significant time in prison for self medicating.

Money=education, education= opportunity, opportunity= freedom. 'nuff said.

Invest in the company that makes those electric wheelchairs. Medicare is going to pay out for every lazy lardball that thinks its too much trouble to simply walk. An aging, grossly overweight population will have a big demand for this product. Get in while you can. See you at the bank