[TheMercenary]

In the coming weeks, a crucial debate surrounds health care reform: Will the process resemble that of the economic stimulus bill, a $787 billion measure passed in February with no Republican support? Or will it more closely resemble the push to pass climate change legislation, another overhaul effort (estimated price tag: $864 billion over 10 years) the House passed in June with just eight Republican votes, and which has an uncertain fate in the Senate?

These three very different legislative efforts, all priorities of the Obama administration, are more similar than it might appear. On their own, each of the measures cost more than the entire $455 billion federal deficit for fiscal year 2008, a record until Uncle Sam went $1.4 trillion in the red during FY2009.

Their effectiveness is also questionable. It's not clear whether health care reform will actually curb rising health care costs; in fact, it's largely paid for by raising taxes. The stimulus bill seems to have contributed to overall economic output, but the 10.2% national unemployment rate shows that it's not having the fully desired effect. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), climate change legislation could dampen families' purchasing power an average of $455 each year between 2012 and 2050. What that means is uncertain, but it doesn't sound promising.

http://www.forbes.com/2009/11/07/hea...ton-house.html