Cash for Clunkers, Cash for Canker Sores

So let’s break this down. The government buys a car company, but sales stink.

Not to worry. They have money in the Treasury that they collected from you— under threat of imprisonment. They give that money to your neighbors so your neighbors can buy new cars. And, happily, in addition to providing new cars for your neighbors, your tax money ends right up back in the Treasury. Because, after all, let’s not forget who owns the car company.

As the government’s kindred spirits in organized crime might say: “Badda- Bing!”

Of course, marketing is everything in a shady enterprise like this, thus the catchy name of the program: "Cash for Clunkers." As part of an overall “green” strategy to save the planet from evil humans, Cash for Clunkers ("CFC") hits all the right notes, and is, by all accounts, a “success.”

Such a success, in fact, that the funds that were supposed to carry the CFC program for three months were exhausted in only five days. That’s right—one billion dollars gone, just like that. In response, Congress did what it always does in such situations: vote another two billion from your pocket to keep the program going. You know, so a few more of your neighbors— not to rub it in—can buy new cars.

And here we find not just another example of a dangerously out-of-control government, but also a window on our somewhat bleak future.

Recall that the government-run healthcare system now being debated by Congress proposes to provide “free” health care for all of us, including “46 million people currently without health insurance." (Among which are, by some reports, 17 million illegal aliens.)

The cost of the program? Around a trillion dollars, give or take.

And it’s in the “give or take,” of course, that disaster lurks. CFC ran out of money after only a week. How soon will the new health care plan run out of money? Who knows? But it will certainly run out much sooner than anyone expects. After all, we’re not just talking new wheels; we’re talking people’s health.

Forty-six million new cases of cancer, canker sores, cardiac arrest and colon polyps. If you think people rush out to get cash for clunkers, how about cash for all that? Not to mention the rest of the alphabet.

Our leaders tell us that health care reform is merely a way to save money, give everyone health care and end waste. The president recently summarized one part of the plan, using language apparently aimed at his pre-school constituents: "If the blue pill costs half what the red pill costs, and they both do the job, we just want to have a panel of experts who can make sure Americans are taking the blue pill and not the red pill.”

It is increasingly—and frighteningly— apparent that there is much more to the 1,000+ page healthcare reform bill than imbecilic guidance on pill color. Recent "mobs" of protesters—as the president's representatives have characterized thems—voicing their opposition to the legislation at congressional town hall meetings, suggest just how dangerous this reform will be.

But even with 1,000+ pages of detail— intended no doubt to prevent a "Cash for Clunkers" run on health care— only one outcome is possible. After all, let's not forget the new National Health Service will still be a government program: "Yes, sir; we are aware you have cancer. But you’ll just have to wait like everyone else. Call back next week. After the president signs the new trillion dollar tax increase . . .”

Badda-Bing!

Clint Sherwood is a long-time resident of Lake Peekskill, and for ten years has been a technology writer and editor. He blogs at clintsherwood.blogspot.com.