Links

Collectivized farming didn't work out so well for the Soviets either.

• Two academics estimate the cost of regulation in California at a massive $492 billion. Remember, the burden of government isn't just taxes. This is crying out for a cost-benefit analysis.

• Speaking of regulation, Radney Balko highlights the Michigan woman accused by the government of babysitting without a license -- for looking after the neighbor's kids -- and her British counterpart.

• The Washington Post has a story on the Cuban government introducing the profit motive to spur agricultural production. Interesting contrast with the U.S. where some seem to think that health care can be improved by removing or reducing profits.

• Michael O. Leavitt, Al Hubbard and Keith Hennessey argue that current health care reform efforts amount to wealth redistribution.

• Robert Samuelson -- with an eye towards Sen. Max Baucus -- calls health care reform an exercise in ego gratification.