All hail the free market

The Indianapolis Star has the following poll on its front page.

Which is better at controlling health care costs?

Government regulation 32 %

Free marketplace 68%

Perhaps the learned readers of the Star do not realize that we have the most "free-market" healthcare system in the developed world and the most expensive. We also pay more our GDP (16%) to healthcare than any other nation. Germany is a distant second at 10.6%.

Masson cites another article in the Star which mentions that (free market) healthcare premiums will rise 10-15 %. It makes no sense why anyone would think our current system is the best way to curtail cost. I can only guess that the we as Americans are trained at birth to believe that the free market is always the best way.

Doonesbury

The following text is from a Doonesbury cartoon which features a professor teaching to his class:

On this point, section 4 of Article Two of the Constitution gives lawmakers latitute. How much latitude? Well, consider the case of two recent Presidents.

The First President initiates a bloody, costly unending war on false premises…

And approves covert policies of illegal detentions, kangaroo courts, extraordinary renditions, torture, warrantless wiretapping of thousands of Americans…

The second lies about hooking up with an intern.

Question: Which one should be impeached?

Student: The babehound, right?

Please hurry!!!!

We are 22 days away from the Colts' first pre-season game.

The World Champion Indianapolis Colts take on the evil Dallas Cowboys on August 9, 2007.

Random Thoughts on Wednesday night

I went to Louisville on Friday. Fourth Street Live is awesome. I got to see the Violent Femmes for free on that Street. It beat seeing Rick Springfield here at Rib Fest.

I also got to go to the Louisville Slugger Museum. I love seeing things made. One of my favorite shows is Made in America with that guy from Cheers. Anyway for nine bucks you get a little background on how bats are made and distributed to major league players. You get a little mini bat at the end. You can also order a full size bat with your signature engraved. I wanted one so bad I had to remind myself that I am a 32 year old man and I don't need a bat in everyday life.

I wore a bow tie today. You want to feel like a celebrity? Wear a bow tie. People aren't used to seeing them around here. I might as well have been wearing a monocle and carrying a monkey on my shoulders given the number of glances I get when I wear a bow tie.

The best CD I bought this week: "The Story" by Brandi Carilile. The second best: Rooney's new CD. I feel like a 12 year old girl when I listen to those guys--but there isn't a better pop group that I know of.

I finally found a copy of a photo I have been hunting down for awhile: Reggie Miller in the Escape from New York photo. I bought it for ten bucks at Field of Dreams at the mall downtown. I put it in a 7 dollar frame from Target. It has instantly become one of my favorite pictures in my room (after the Colts Super Bowl victory framed print). I wish these kids in Indy knew how awesome it was to have been a Pacer fan during that time.

The Indiana Fever won again today. They are now 16-4. If you haven't gone to see them yet, you are missing out.

Barry Bonds and 756

My roommate got his Sports Illustrated tonight. Of course, and what has been a popular topic this baseball season, someone had to rip on Barry Bonds.

Even the most casual fan has to know that San Franciscan Giant Barry Bonds is four home runs away from tying the greatest record of all of professional sports: the American baseball home run record. The Great Hank Aaron (and former Indianapolis Clown) still holds the record at 755.

Allegations have been lodged against Barry Bonds that he has cheated his way towards immortality. No one has ever questioned the legitimacy of Aaron's numbers. In addition the personality of the two could not be more different. Aaron is thought of as a total gentleman. Bonds the opposite.

This situation has gotten most baseball fans hot. Some have suggested that where ever Bonds' numbers end up an asterisk needs to follow. For some there is still only one true home run king: Hank Aaron himself (at least until A-Rod takes it for himself).

I have to admit I am not a huge Barry Bonds fan. But in a lot of ways he is getting a raw deal. The culture of cheating has always been in baseball. Whether it was the Black Sox in 1919, a corked bat here and there, the spitball, or the rampant drug use by ball players in the 70's baseball players have always done whatever it took to get the edge on the competition. Plus it is hypocritical for baseball to turn the blind eye now. You might recall that after 1994 (the cancellation of the World Series) baseball had quite a black eye. What brought people back? The long ball. The home run race between McGwire and Sosa the summer of 1999 captivated the US. Those Homeric numbers coming out of the players during the era was for one reason and one reason only: the players were putting out more juice than a Tropicana factory. And baseball knew it. And they didn't give a damn. There were buns in the seats and people cared about baseball again.

So if baseball knew and turned the blind eye--how can they now act as purists?

I am not defending Barry Bonds but honestly does the juice really increase bat speed? Does it increase coordination. And especially in light of baseball looking the other way, can you really blame him if he did juice?

For me there will be no asterisk by the home run record when Bonds passes it. I only wish that the Kid himself--Ken Griffey Jr.--had enough steam to over take the record.

How Do You Feel About a Clinton and Obama Ticket?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19762038/site/newsweek/

Here is an interesting article from Newsweek about why Hillary Clinton should choose Barack Obama as her running mate, if she wins the Democratic nomination for president. Personally, I think that this would be an amazing ticket.

Surprise, Surprise--Yes, he is a Republican

Senator's number on escort service list

Vitter's own words: "I have always been adamant in my support of pro-life and pro-family measures. And as a father of four, I will continue to work hard in Congress and with President Bush to advance a culture of life, including banning partial-birth abortions, outlawing abortion drugs, fighting against taxpayer funding of abortions and strongly supporting adoption and crisis pregnancy centers."

Well, it's a good thing he didn't get one of his hookers pregnant.

Now, this is just a rumor, but look at this from 2006 and here:

"Two years before he ran for Senate, Vitter was set to run for governor but pulled out at the last minute. Seems his name was allegedly among those of a number of famous Louisianans in the black book of a businesswoman plying a trade New Orleans is noted for."

Random Thoughts on a Sunday night

As a child of the 80's I couldn't wait to see the movie Transformers. I saw it on Monday night along with packed house of geeks. The movie was awesome but alas, the Star gave it a poor review. One of their biggest complaints--not enough character development. Do you really go see a movie about robots that turn into cars and wonder what makes them tick?

The new seven wonders of the world were named. I was hoping for one in particular and it made it. I saw the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza back in October and I found myself completely blown away. Definitely put that on your list to see in your lifetime.

One of my favorite new additions to downtown is Red's Classic Barbershop. The place has a great feel to it and they have a great atmosphere. You can grab some coffee and listen to some jazz while you wait to get your hair cut. It isn't cheap (about 19 bucks a cut) but I have gotten two of the best haircuts I ever have gotten in my lifetime there. The razor finish is awesome.

Another great addition to downtown is the Webber Grill. I am not a big fan of chains but this is a selective chain having just opened outside its Chicago base. I ate at one in Chicago and loved it. I have already eaten there twice since they opened on Tuesday. Both meals have been excellent.

Knowing it would be one of the luckiest days in my lifetime, I placed a bet on a long shot yesterday (7/7/07) at the off track betting parlor. I lost.

CNN has a feature on America's Favorite Cities. We aren't on it.

Now that I think of it, what the hell does make Optimus Prime tick?

Quote of the Day

"The arrogance of this administration's disdain for the law and its belief it operates with impunity are breathtaking. Will the president also commute the sentences of others who obstructed justice and lied to grand juries, or only those who act to protect President Bush and Vice President Cheney?" — New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson.

I have nothing!

I am the world's worst blogger, but I thought I'd share my new business name with you.