Politics and other nightmares

One of my favorite libertarians takes on one of my favorite examples of government overreach:

Anybody still think ObamaCare will mean better coverage for more people?

Official calculations show that Medicare has $34 trillion less than it needs to keep all its promises to seniors. Yet ObamaCare will take $500 billion out of Medicare over 10 years to cover 30 million uninsured Americans.

It doesn't get any better than this -- Alec Baldwin sympathizing with Anthony Weiner:

A new poll finds that -- no big surprise -- Americans remain incredibly conflicted about abortion. This is especially interesting:

The survey devoted particular attention to the views of young adults. It noted that 18-to-29-year-olds are far more likely than their elders to support same-sex marriage, but found there is no comparable generation gap regarding abortion.

The state has announced a sensible policy on immunizations based on the fact that there isn't an unlimited pile of money available to pay for them -- starting now, it will no longer allow county health departments to provide low-cost immunizations to children who have insurance. But the panic is already settling in. This is a move that "some fear will lead to fewer children receiving critical vaccinations."

Where's Michael Moore when you need him?

General Motors Co. CEO Dan Akerson wants the federal gas tax boosted as much as $1 a gallon to nudge consumers toward more fuel-efficient cars, and he's confident the government will soon shed its remaining 26 percent stake in the once-bankrupt automaker.

Tim Pawlenty's Google Test for government:

We can start by applying what I call “The Google Test.”

If you can find a good or service on the Internet, then the federal government probably doesn't need to be doing it.

The post office — the government printing office — Amtrak — Fannie and Freddie were all built for a different time in our country.  When the private sector did not adequately provide those services. That's no longer the case.

Only 24 percent of Americans say their political views are about the same as President Obama's! Dang -- looks I'm finally in a super majority and I can quit worrying about Obama getting re-elected. But then a little farther into the poll report:

High-speed-rail advocate Geoff Paddock reaches for common sense and almost makes it:

Before rail supporters set their sights on a sleek, new rail system to Chicago, they should focus on bringing Amtrak back to Fort Wayne for the first time in more than 20 years, said Geoff Paddock, co-founder of the Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association.

Professors William Ruger and Jason Sorens have just released their "Freedom in the 50 States" Index and -- wait for it, drum roll please -- Indiana is one of the five freest states, along with New Hampshire, South Dakota, Idaho and Nevada. The least free were New York, New Jersey, California, Hawaii and Massachusetts.