Stossel on Medicare

The other day I cited Medicare -- the government's most notable intrusion in to health care -- as a prime example of a failed initiative. Last Friday night John Stossel examined the issue in a bit more depth:

The piece concludes on an optimistic note, pointing out that some retirees became more sympathetic to the need to rein in Medicare after it was explained to them how unsustainable the program is.

Indeed, while retirees are sometimes portrayed as militant AARP acolytes Tom Coburn in his book Breach of Trust noted that many of his constitutents became more understanding of his crusade to cut spending when he illusrated the costs of unrestrained government expenditures. Their desire to obtain "free" goods from the government was overcome by genuine concern for the well being of their grandchildren and the fiscal mess they will inherit if we stay on the current path.