In Praise of Pork

In its coverage of the Senate passing the bailout bill Politico is reporting that "tucked away in the tax chapter is a virtual bill onto itself: landmark mental health parity legislation that bars group plans from imposing stricter limits on mental health patients than individuals under the same plans who suffer from physical illnesses demanding surgery and hospitalization." First of all: it's about time. I'm going to show my liberal bias here, but sometimes government really works. This legislation is good news for, well, everyone actually. More parity in coverage will lead to increased treatment, or at the very least better treatment, for individuals with a wide range of mental health disorders. Better treatment will lead to decreased suffering for individuals and families, which is clearly the most important effect of the bill. Of equal importance is the impact that it will have on productivity among members of the workforce. Take depression, a fairly common mental health condition that can be easily treated for many people. Employees who are currently under-insured now have access to medication and doctors that will allow boost their performance. The insurance companies will probably cry foul, and it might lead to higher premiums overall. However, since the entire system is insane anyways, it's not really fair to punish one demographic just because there are pre-existing flaws.

Shorter sarcastic post: It's this type of heinous earmark legislation that must be stopped. McCain '08!

On a side note, if I keep this up I might find myself blogging again. No promises.

Hat tip: Ezra

Quick thought on a Wednesday

Now that W. has hit a 70% disapproval rating he has stolen the mantle of the least beloved POTUS from Tricky Dick Nixon. Some might think that this proves what a national disgrace he has become. Well, most of you would think that I guess. That's why they call it disapproval. I myself admit to being less than thrilled with his handling of, well, the economy, "war on terror," protection of civil liberties, immigration, education...you get the picture. But overlooked by basically everyone has been the beautiful gift that Bush has given to this great nation.

Americans can't agree on Coke or Pepsi, college or pro, Nascar or arugula (wry smile). In case you haven't been paying attention, half of the country hates the other half. That's what I keep hearing on CNN. Apparently, we can't agree on anything. But those days are over my friends. Walk down the street and ask ten people whether Bush has been good for America or not. Seven of the ten will say no. Much like that great Republican Abraham Lincoln, Bush launched a war and united a country. Call it a pyrrhic victory if you must. But please call it a victory. It might be the only one he gets.