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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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 OPINION 
36

Obama, Dems Are Free Market Crusaders

Wall Street, health industry are the ones opposed to competition

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(Newser) – The champions of the free market are on the march, but it's not who you think. It’s the Democrats who want to put health insurance on open exchanges where consumers can easily compare them, with a public option to inject competition into an “oligopolistic market,” points out Harold Meyerson of the Washington Post. The leading opponent of competition and transparency? “Our health insurance industry, which does just fine without them.”

Likewise, on Wall Street, the big banks are fighting to keep their derivative trading off an open exchange proposed by the Obama administration. They’d rather consumers couldn’t easily compare the hefty fees they charge, and they’re happy with their ever-growing market share. It’s big business, in short, opposing truly free markets, and liberals pushing for them. “Advocates for socialism? More like advocates for shoppers.”

Lloyd Blanfeil and James Dimon, CEOs of Goldman Sachd snd JP MOrgan are seen in this file photo.
Lloyd Blanfeil and James Dimon, CEOs of Goldman Sachd snd JP MOrgan are seen in this file photo.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, file)
President Barack Obama walks across the South Lawn of the White House during his arrival on Marine One helicopter in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
President Barack Obama walks across the South Lawn of the White House during his arrival on Marine One helicopter in Washington, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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36 comments
VIEWING:
 
myvoice
Oct 21, 09 11:02 AM CDT
wait for it.... they will come and say he is a _____ Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
DontLikeYou
Oct 21, 09 11:09 AM CDT
I've heard it all now. The delusion of the left is complete as it now claims to be the right.
Vote up! Vote down!
-6
IN RESPONSE:
tomodachi
Oct 21, 09 11:43 AM CDT
@dly: The left isn't claiming to be the right... they're just pointing out the wrong. Insurance companies need to be regulated. If you can't understand that fact, then you obviously have yet to experience the pain of their greed. Congratulations! Even so, hopefully the dems will pass a health care system that actually works. For that to happen, the Insurance and the Pharmaceuticals have to stop being so greedy. The only way for that to happen is... regulation.
Vote up! Vote down!
+1
IN RESPONSE:
schmidtkoff
Oct 21, 09 3:03 PM CDT
@dontlike - what do you mean? what’s wrong with comparison? do we not do so when seeking auto insurance? The health insurance monopoly needs to be broken up. ya know, anti-trust laws and all that jazz. why should they be exempt, especially now when they deny coverage to those who have paid for years, drop them for no reason , make up silly excuses for so-called “pre-existing conditions”, ad infinitum. then the banks, fighting to retain their strangle hold on their hapless customers by way of hidden fees, exorbitant fees for overdrafts, penalizing their customers for not maintaining a balance by raising interest rates and more fees. are you really THAT misinformed that you believe the left is delusional? I would beg to differ for you seem to be the one not focused in reality, ie. delusional.
Vote up! Vote down!
+5
IN RESPONSE:
Caps
Oct 21, 09 5:44 PM CDT
schmidtkoff, could not have said it better. I wish I could give you several thumbs up.
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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