The First Rule of Digging a Hole

The first rule of digging a hole is: When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging!

Here's a nice, fairly short article that sums up our failing welfare state.

Any sober examination of figures like these suggests that the system has promised more than it can realistically deliver. We are borrowing not to finance investment in the future but to pay for today's welfare -- present consumption. Sooner or later, the huge debt will weaken the economy.

I find it interesting that despite the fact the burden of these programs is starting to look unbearable, what are we trying to do? Add another program! (Health insurance in this case.)

Oh, I know, the spin is that it will save us money over the long term, and it will be funded by this tax or that and not add to the deficit. Yeah, right ... even if that were true, shouldn't you use that money to pay for the stuff you've already promised but can't pay for?