The American Spectator : Coulter Care

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Coulter Care

By Peter Ferrara on 2.8.12 @ 6:10AM

Schooling Ann Coulter on the individual mandate.

(Page 2 of 3)

But the above discussion shows that this is not only wrong, but uninformed and even unreasoned. I have been hyperventilating over government-mandated health insurance for 20 years, ever since I was inspired to kill the Heritage health plan. That was never about a legal objection, but about a policy objection — that the individual mandate inevitably leads to full-blown socialized medicine.

Coulter writes further, “But because both Obamacare and Romneycare concern the same general topic area — health care — and can be nicknamed (politician’s name plus ‘care’), Romney’s health care bill is suddenly perceived as virtually the same thing as the widely detested Obamacare.”

No, Ann, it’s a lot more than that. Where did you get that excessively speculative rationalization? Romney’s health care bill is perceived as virtually the same thing as the widely detested Obamacare because it is virtually the same thing as the widely detested Obamacare.

Both Romneycare and Obamacare include the individual mandate. Both Romneycare and Obamacare include sharp increases in Medicaid. Both Romneycare and Obamacare include guaranteed issue and community rating (like requiring fire insurers to insure homes that have already caught fire, and at the same standard rates as for everyone else). Both Romneycare and Obamacare include welfare subsidies for the purchase of health insurance well into the middle class. And both Romneycare and Obamacare include the latent government power for price controls on health insurance and rationing of health care.

No, Ann, this is not “like saying state school choice plans are ‘the same idea’ as the Department of Education.”

But Coulter continues,

States have been forcing people to do things from the beginning of the of the republic: drilling for the militia, taking blood tests before marriage, paying for public schools, registering property titles and waiting in line for six hours at the Department of Motor Vehicles in order to drive. There’s no obvious constitutional difference between a state forcing militia age males to equip themselves with guns and a state forcing adults in today’s world to equip themselves with health insurance.

That is true but irrelevant. States have the admitted constitutional power under the federal Constitution to adopt an individual mandate if they want to do so.

What is relevant is that there is no important difference between state-run socialized medicine and federally run socialized medicine. Ronald Reagan would have fought against each just as fiercely. That is why, if he were alive today, he would be just as strongly opposed to Romneycare as Obamacare.

But Coulter imparts to us her health care policy insight that the only thing wrong with Romneycare is Democrats: “First, the overwhelmingly Democratic legislature set the threshold for receiving a subsidy so that it included people making just below the median income in the United States, a policy known as ‘redistribution of income.’” But as explained above, this policy is the inevitable result of an individual mandate. If the government is going to force people to buy the most expensive health insurance possible, the government is going to come under irresistible pressure to help even middle income people and above pay for that mandate.

Coulter further explains the role of those dastardly Democrats: “Then, liberals destroyed the group rate, ‘no frills’ private insurance plans allowed under Romneycare … by adding dozens of state mandates, including requiring insurers to cover chiropractors and in vitro fertilization — a policy known as ‘pandering to lobbyists.’” But again, as explained above, this was only the natural, predictable, indeed inevitable result of the individual mandate. Once the government has to specify the health insurance plan the mandate requires everyone to buy, no one can be left out in our democratic system.

Coulter explains that all of this is necessary because of the “free rider problem” that results when people decide not to buy insurance, incur health costs, and then don’t pay, shifting those costs to the rest of us. But such uncompensated care for the uninsured is just 2 percent of total health costs, which amounts to a weak excuse, not a justification, for socialized medicine.

The government’s free-rider problem, from failing to pay market rates to doctors and hospitals under Medicare and Medicaid, is estimated to produce twice as much cost shifting to the rest of us. Obamacare makes that much worse by greatly expanding Medicaid and sharply slashing payments to doctors and hospitals under Medicare, which shows that such cost shifting is not remotely what these folks are concerned about.

Romney’s Corruption of the Reagan Coalition

This episode perfectly illustrates the problem with the lifelong liberal Mitt Romney, coming from a liberal heritage going back to his father, now stepping forward to lead Republicans against the Marxist infiltrator Barack Obama. Inevitably, Romney will pull the Republican Party to the left and crack up the Reagan coalition which has dominated the party since 1980.

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About the Author

Peter Ferrara is Director of Entitlement and Budget Policy at the Heartland Institute, General Counsel of the American Civil Rights Union, Senior Fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, and Senior Policy Advisor on Entitlements and Budget Policy at the National Tax Limitation Foundation. He served in the White House Office of Policy Development under President Reagan, and as Associate Deputy Attorney General of the United States under President George H.W. Bush.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (92) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.8.12 @ 6:46AM

I hope all you anti-Romney zealots get your way and Romney does not get the nomination.

The remaining candidates have no chance of winning at all.

Therefore, the only conclusion is that you want to hand the election to Obama.

Clint| 2.8.12 @ 6:59AM

" President Barack Obama has a 52 to 43 percent lead over Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney among all Americans, and a 51 to 45 percent lead among registered voters. The results in the new Washington Post-ABC News poll represent the first time the president has broken the 50 percent mark among registered voters."

The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.8.12 @ 7:28AM

And a brokered convention is an Obama win. You're really not very bright Clint.

Clint| 2.8.12 @ 7:46AM

Actually, Mitten's Kitten Stalin , You're A RINO-CINO Apologist Big Dumb.

The Tea Party Rebellion Heads To A Brokered Convention.

Worried for the country| 2.9.12 @ 4:07PM

Register voter polls are crap. Only likely voter polls have any meaning. Also, that poll was flawed because they asked a bunch of negative leaning questions about Romney prior to asking their presidential preference.

Gary B| 2.8.12 @ 7:34AM

Bill,

The fat lady hasn't sung yet.

Please don't equate objection to RINO Romney with a desire to see The Muslim re-elected. No one here wants that. What we want is a fair shot at liberty.

Romney is being pushed on us by EVERYONE in DC and EVERYONE in the press. When someone like Ann Coulter turns you know the ruling class is making a final push for total victory. Tyranny is now out of the closet and very close at hand.

Romney's going to protect our liberty? Give me a break!

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.8.12 @ 8:01AM

And Gingrich (Big government) and Santorum (More big government) are somehow different? Please! This is precisely what I'm talking about. They have no chance.

Gary B| 2.8.12 @ 8:49AM

Bill,

With whom do you trust your liberty? Gingrich, Santorum or RINO Romney? Of the three, which one actually behaved like a conservative once elected?

Here's an idea: Let's nominate Romney because he has a big, good looking family. And, he's really, really nice.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.8.12 @ 9:47AM

You're asking me? You should be asking yourself.

Mr ED| 2.8.12 @ 8:25AM

"Romney is being pushed on us by EVERYONE in DC and EVERYONE in the press. When someone like Ann Coulter turns you know the ruling class is making a final push for total victory."

It is obvious to even the most casual, above the fold observer. Even DemocRAT members of my family have commented on it. Every report about any Romney challenger is invariably negative, even if the "facts" of said reports have to be invented. I don't have any serious dislike for Romney, but I do not want him as president because he IS a Lib at heart and believes, like all modern politicians, that his job is to please the media, not those who elected him.

Jordan| 2.11.12 @ 3:07AM

If Romney is being pushed on us by EVERYONE, why is the press so overwhelmingly negative in their coverage of him? I guess EVERYONE does not include them??

PCP Smoker| 2.8.12 @ 7:46AM

Lovely how you put it. "The remaining candidates have no chance of winning at all.", then the conclusion, "you want to hand the election to Obama."

What a fucking moron. Go back to your moonshine, incest, and backwood political strategies, or is it "strategeries?" Creep.

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 2.8.12 @ 7:50AM

Go back to smoking your PCP. Asshole.

PCP Smoker| 2.8.12 @ 8:48PM

I did. Then I re-read your "cause and effect" line, and still find it moronic. Take your retarded conclusions and screw your mother with it. You are no stranger to that. Creep.

Big Tony| 2.8.12 @ 8:09AM

What's the difference between Obama's fast track to socialism and Rommey's slightly slower track except the speed at which we get there?

Gary B| 2.8.12 @ 8:56AM

Romney looks presidential, which is supposed to make us feel good.

TrueBlue | 2.8.12 @ 1:55PM

He looks like a sleazy used car salesman, not a President.

ertdfg| 2.9.12 @ 1:53PM

Then I say Gingrich is the only choice, the base would desert Romney and a vote for Romney is a vote for Obama is my fig leaf of an argument.

I've at least given a minor bit of logic here while making a useless pointless inflammatory attack, which makes my argument slightly better than yours (while still being useless).

Before you decide all you need is a fig leaf of evidence yourself... let me guess what you'll use, the current polls I suspect?

9+ months out from an election the polls are incredibly accurate in your mind?

So McCain Beat Hillary Clinton in 2008 in your world...

That's who the polls said we'd have running, who the nominees would be, and who would win the election... clearly as the polls are infallible this must be the race you saw in 2008, and the inevitable outcome.

Oh, that didn't happen; but the polls are 100% accurate this time and nobody else could possibly win?

Take your useless inflammatory accusations and your claims that only your candidate could possibly be considered to someone who might buy that load you're using as an argument.

Carol| 2.8.12 @ 6:46AM

Peter:

Coulter knew when writing that piece of garbage that it wouldn't fly with Americans who are furious at was is going on in this country. She knows Obamacare is the number one issue with many of us - including me - although she is shoving it aside and saying illegal aliens are the number one issue. That issue is so mucked up that we can't do anything about it. Obama has opened the floodgates.

But she is pushing the one guy who did sign a bill proclaiming all residents of MA will pay for the individual mandate and somehow that is conservative. Romneycare took away an individual's right to purchase or not purchase something and that is called Statism.

Coulter has lost her conservative label. Sad to she has only 2 people left to listen to her - Hannity and Laura Ingrahm is who has also gone RINO.

FastTalker| 2.9.12 @ 7:51AM

Wow! I thought I was all alone, no longer caring to listen to Laura Ingraham and Hannity (radio or Fox). In fact, I have tuned out Fox all together. Just use the Internet to get my news and other views. No Romney. We are not screwed. A long primary season is good, and healthy. The longer our candidate is uncertain, the longer the BHO reelection machine will have to guess and show their cards.

I trust in God, not government. Helps me sleep better at night.

Elaine Luiz| 2.9.12 @ 10:29AM

God is the ONLY One we can turn to in order to right the ship. I'm totally "over" the D and the R establishment. This country was founded on Judeo-Christian principals- not man-made ideas.

denise| 2.9.12 @ 3:23PM

This country was founded on Man made ideals stemming from Judea-Christians principles.

Steve| 2.8.12 @ 7:01AM

I hope Mitt gets the nod. When the Axe gets done with him, Mitt will be lucky to get the 25 percent of American's who admit to be Repub's.

Brad| 2.8.12 @ 11:20AM

Which still outnumbers the 20 percent of Americans (not American's, nitwit) who admit to being progtards ...

Steve| 2.8.12 @ 3:47PM

Thank you for pointing out my mistake. Must be nice to be so smart. I can only hope to be as smart as you some day. Thanks again.

Kenny| 2.8.12 @ 7:22AM

With Santorum's three state sweep last night, maybe Romney is being rejected and Coulter will have to recalibrate.

denise| 2.9.12 @ 3:31PM

She'll just name-call just like she did in 08 ;10 and probably before that. Its time WE stop letting the writers and pundits pick our candidates for us and start doing our own investigation of them, instead of trusting them, THEY ARE SPECIAL INTERESTS.

Randy| 2.8.12 @ 7:25AM

". . . .Obamacare by the Supreme Dictator, Kathleen Sebelius (who looks and acts the part of a villain from an Ayn Rand novel)."

I've often said she's Joseph Menegele's daughter. I almost believe that!

Brian Mc| 2.8.12 @ 7:27AM

I was a big fan for Ann; no more. Since you bring up prevent defenses, allow me to ask: "Why do we allow the liberals sole possession of the ball and the right to make up the rules as they go along?" That is a formula for failure if ever there was one. Oh, we only allowed a field goal, that time...good, score...90,ooo-2. The safety? Ronald Reagan.

martin j smith| 2.8.12 @ 7:31AM

Its about MONEY and saving her derier politcally.

Gary B| 2.8.12 @ 7:42AM

All of the above. Ann Coulter - good riddance.

I swear, American conservatives have experienced more betrayal than anyone else on earth. So, now, I guess I'm for what ever brings on the revolution as soon as possible. I'm all ears if someone has a better idea.

Occam's Tool| 2.8.12 @ 9:46PM

There is nothing wrong with Ann that couldn't be cured with a Pledge Paddle (mine) and a French Maid outfit (hers).

denise| 2.9.12 @ 3:33PM

ON THAT STICK FIGURE... To each his own....hahahahahaha

Hobo in the Snow | 2.8.12 @ 7:40AM

Great article. Ive found a lot on this site recently that irritates me, but this one hits the nail right on the head.

POST American| 2.8.12 @ 7:42AM

------As FUKISHIMA nears its 12th month
of full-blown meltdown ----and North
America its 11 month of fallout saturation
--- ALLLL under a Globalist media blackout----

Coulter continues to (---at who's direction?)
nudge all debate, all dialogue, consciousness
itself away from this, and so much more of
the Globalist RED China handover, TREASON
and full-spectrum EUGENICS OP.

And has she said anything about this, the
fourth decade of handover and plunder?
---Anything at all?

Surely, even if the documents didn't
exist, and whole thing was a 'mistake'
---across the boards, those presiding
over it should NEVER see the light
of American pu ic life again.

----------AGAIN ---where's Coulter?

Her stands on 'a--bore--shun' notwithstanding,
in this our 11th hour ---NO time for vanity
acts. Least of all those put forth by that
greatest Fabian fake-op of ALLLL time,
Murdoch's ---FOX 'News'.

PCP Smoker| 2.8.12 @ 7:42AM

And here I thought Mark Levin had destroyed her last week. Wow. Someone, please call 911. The woman is bleeding.
This sentence in particular ("When the government mandates that you have to buy health insurance, then it has to specify what health insurance is required to satisfy the mandate." ) perfectly demonstrates WFB's rule of "he who says A must say B." Mittens said A, the Massachusetts legislature continues to say B.

The Reaganite| 2.8.12 @ 8:01PM

Both Levin and Ferrara misrepresent her argument, acting as though she defended mandates. She did not. (The title was sarcastic.) She simply made the case that Romney is not more liberal than Gingrich.

PCP Smoker| 2.8.12 @ 8:42PM

You are the only one out there putting this line of defense. To quote her, "Until Obamacare, mandatory private health insurance was considered the free-market alternative to the Democrats' piecemeal socialization of the entire medical industry.

In November 2004, for example, libertarian Ronald Bailey praised mandated private health insurance in Reason magazine, saying that it "could preserve and extend the advantages of a free market with a minimal amount of coercion."

A leading conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation, helped design Romneycare, and its health care analyst, Bob Moffit, flew to Boston for the bill signing."

That was just the opening. There is nothing sarcastic about those lines. Give her a call, try getting on the same page as her. Also, live up to your moniker. Reagan took on RINOS like Romney, not defended them.

Oldefarte| 2.8.12 @ 9:50PM

Yeah, especially when he was way beyond RINOism playing opposite BOZO the Chimp in Hollywood and smoozing with radical Democrats, huh????

donserge| 2.8.12 @ 7:43AM

Peter, your last paragraph needs to be shouted from the rooftops. The breakup is very close to becoming reality every day, not only because of Romney but also many Republicans in DC.

Mimi| 2.8.12 @ 8:21AM

If Santorum's great showing last night is a game-changer in a more gigantic way maybe the MITT problem will evaporate!
This whole Primary has been anything but DULL !It is dynamic and changing all the time....Mitt has a chance now to treat This GUY better than the past ..."dare to be" front runners...If he attempts to DESTROY Rick, the KNOWN Good-Guy....He will do himself in and make POLITICAL History..as the quickest self-destruction ever!
If Santorums rise doesn't stick and grow the door will Open for GINGRICH to slide by in the fray....The Romney attack dogs are too cunning...Lets watch and see if they take a wrong path and lose control......Interesting...VERY inreresting!!!

VonMisesJr| 2.8.12 @ 8:28AM

Great article. I had the pleasure of chatting with Peter and meeting Betsy McCaughey at local TEA Party events. This is why you should get the email blasts and track their events.

From an economic perspective, Peter touches on two issues that are important. Bastiat wrote on "That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen." If ObamaCare Premiums are subsidized for low income insured, what is the difference between subsidizing them for the premiums, and subsidizing the providers through reimbursements? Virtually none!

The second economic result is "necessarily skyrocketing rationing." One of the reasons for the fall of the Roman Empire, and the food shortages of twentieth century communist regimes is price controls. If the price of wheat is mandated to be lower than the production cost, people starve. If care is not reimbursed above a certain arbitrary reimbursement, you don't get it.

In actuality, the whole scam is cost shifting and rationing. When the citizen is forced to buy their own health care; Medicare, Medicaid and private employer plans are off the hook. The insured pays the bill, gets told what they will receive, and lots of people will be victims of death panels; and all these options alleviate the government keeping the implicit debt promised to the people now totaling over $100 trillion.

I would only disagree with Peter in that Coulter is totally wrong on her analogy to military service being mandated. Defense is an Enumerated Power, heath care is not. I can be constitutionally required to fight for my country (although I am doing it voluntarily every day); but the Constitution does not give the central government jurisdiction over my health care and choices!

Dave | 2.8.12 @ 8:55AM

Late last year, I began getting some nervous inklings that there was something icky going on with Ann. At first I figured it was just some kind of bug going around, or maybe a passing case of adult coodies brought on by something in the water. And at that point, I hadn't even considered checking the family Kool Aid supply.
Like Peter Ferrara and fellow A.S. contributior Dave Catron, I've long been a fan of Ann's writing and wit. But something wasn't quite right in River City. So, I decided to send out a note to a few of my close family and friends to see if I might be the only one considering making an emergency call to Doc Welby. Here's that note:

BRING HOME EDDIE
November, 2011:

Those on the receiving end of these occasional family alerts know that one of my favorite people is Ann Coulter. I love her thinking and style. Wrapped into her basic smartness is a razor sharp wit that helps slice through some of the grammarian feldergarb that occasionally dots the landscape of political commentary. In a nutshell, like her or not, she writes in an easy to understand, street level style, punctuated with that snappy sense of humor. And while I agree with most of her takes, my approval, occasionally, comes with a raised eyebrow.

A few days ago, Ann wrote a column on the recent surge in popularity of Newt Gingrich. She brought out some old skeletons that had been left hanging in his closet, and laid them out for some critical rethinking. In the end, there was a lot more for we among the old schoolers to consider before interrogating the new boyfriend.

While I approve most of Annie's style choices, I'm kind of like a concerned dad who occasionally gets nervous about some of the boys she dates. And I'm afraid this Mitt Romney kid might be another Eddie Haskel. At first blush, he's a guy who always wears a proper tie, claims he loves baseball (maybe the Red Sox), but the obligatory smile is often ... unconvincing. At least to me. When he shows up on television, I usually spritz the air with a can of pine scented Glade to get the lingering whiffs of Old Spice out of the room. Then there was that other one she had a crush on a few months ago. I think his name was Chris Crispy or ... something like that. He wasn't the slick dresser the Mitt kid is, and was a few pounds on the portly side. Still, he was clean cut looking in an I just shampooed sort of way. He also had the obligatory Peposident grin. Unfortunately, the extra chins around his neck made it tough to tell which side of his face he was talking out of. That's always a red flag.

Having said that ...

I'll always love Annie, but her recent choice in men sometimes leaves me wondering if she might be going down the wrong track. I suppose the good news is, neither of these latest crushes are apt to end up sitting in the pews of some hate mongering community preacher, ranting about how God ought to be damning the country, and inciting anarchy in the streets of downtown Mayberry and parts north.

I realize Annie will have to live with her choices. And I hope she ends up with one that won't break her heart after the dance. Having a few decades of life lessons stuffed under my belt, and always concerned about her well being, I'm afraid this latest crush might, sooner or later, drain her spirit in the same way that kid from Chicago sapped a lot of spirits over the last three years. I knew that guy was bad news from the git-go, but had some difficulty convincing other neighbors along the street to keep a close eye on him. What concerns me today is that while Kid Chi-Town and his posse ended up trashing the neighborhood in short order, the Mitt's and Christie's would probably leave the neighborhood in, pretty much, the same condition. It just might take them a little longer.

Meanwhile, the guys I'd hoped Ann might go the dance with were, one-by-one, kicked out of the campus glee club and relegated to eat their lunches with the school's great unwashed. Or as they're known among the cliques: the uncool kids. When you take time to sift through the pecking order of desirable choices, too often the kids riding skate boards can't match up with those who's daddy's bought them a Benz.

In the end, the heart wants what it wants. I only hope Annie doesn't regret what she wished for. I suspect we all do.

Dave | 2.8.12 @ 8:55AM

BRING HOME EDDIE
November, 2011:

Having said that ...

In the end, the heart wants what it wants. I only hope Annie doesn't regret what she wished for. I suspect we all do.

Mimi| 2.8.12 @ 10:58AM

GREAT WRITING...LOVE the HUMOR!

PCP Smoker| 2.8.12 @ 8:34PM

The comments section is not your toilet. Please, don't treat it like it was.

denise| 2.9.12 @ 4:00PM

Then you should take your own advice.

JimH| 2.8.12 @ 9:11AM

Does this put Ann in the running for this year's Stramge New Respect award?

Ward Bond| 2.8.12 @ 9:20AM

Great article Mr. Ferrara. You explained this health care disaster very well. Now, could someone please explain to me how this vast new government program could actually cut costs. It would be a first. The people that are in favor of obamacare/ Romneycare are basically those who think someone else will be paying for their healthcare.

Christopher C| 2.9.12 @ 5:39AM

Dear Ward - neither program has a hope of cutting costs. Obamacare in particular is administratively impossible.

Public/socialized health systems can only approach workability in small countries with small populations. Big populations in small countries? Not so well - think the UK. As the native country of George Orwell, they even run their health system death panels under a "philosophy" called the NICE framework. Smaller populations in big countries? Again, not so well - think Canada. Hugely expensive, but financially stressed - some of the evidence for that is provided by in-hospital infection rates. Admin costs, from what I understand, are also high.

But Obamacare? In a continental-sized country of over 3o0 million people? Where even the legislation setting up the system talks about 180+ new committees/boards/authorities? Before Patient One is examined, think of the turf wars. Think of the turf wars between federal and state health providers/insurers/health care administrators. What sort of a percentage of US GDP will overhead consume? Will there even be some money left for aspirin and bandages?

And voters, from all accounts, sense that Obamacare is a looming disaster. All the more important then that the R nominee is someone who can be believed when he says that "Obamacare delenda est".

JimP| 2.8.12 @ 9:32AM

As usual, terrific and dead on accurate. Thank you Pete Ferrara. Thank you, thank you..... thank you. Especially for that last bit of reporting about the Tea Partiers bolting and thus leading to the end of the GOP. I personally am hoping for an end to the GOP- at least as it has existed since 1988, with the exception of the too brief Newtonian era in the 90's.

After Santorum's triple wins yesterday, the usual suspects at the Romney blogs and on DC 'conservative' talk radio are yammering about how it was a disaster for Newt. Perhaps, but the real disaster was for Romney, which all of these paid 'analysts' are ignoring. But, what should I expect from hacks, right?

Bill| 2.8.12 @ 9:41AM

Ann Coulter is the "queen of media-analyst" as to Lady Gaga be the "queen of pop." None of them is perfect, but they are wanted. Coulter made a "honest" mistake endorsing Romney, she has been an asset for American conservative movement. Coulter will realize her mistake and redeem it through spreading talk of liberty and free-enterprise. Let's move on!

JimP| 2.8.12 @ 9:53AM

My sister thinks Coulter has a “huge school girl crush” on Mitt and that this explains her attempts to spin Romney and his policies as conservative. Mitt is her “fantasy boyfriend.” Further, according to ‘Sis’, Coulter has gone off the deep end and is just trying to “help her man be successful, like any good fantasy wife would do.”

Any and all feedback on this theory is welcome.

MikeG| 2.8.12 @ 3:09PM

Sis must think that women are stupid because the only explanation she can think of is that Coulter has a crush on Romney.
Sis is revealing her stupidity. You are showing yours by posting this and asking for comments.

JimP| 2.8.12 @ 5:18PM

LOL You sound offended by the theory, Mike. 'Sis' definitely isn't stupid, and she KNOWS women. I can attest to that via numerous examples of her explanations/'theories' about women that turned out to be true. She's insightful and very honest about how women REALLY are. That being said, one never knows what he may learn from others and I always find it interesting to get others' ideas on matters like these. Thanks for yours. I'm sorry for you that your rudeness didn't make me angry. Better luck next time.

MikeG| 2.8.12 @ 5:38PM

Jim,
Not intended as rude, just outrageous mocking to show how silly the observation. I thought you would know the difference.

JimP| 2.8.12 @ 6:03PM

It's hard to tell sometimes merely by the written word. I guess calling me and my sister stupid gave me that impression. It is possible to disagree, even strongly, without name calling. No offense, Mike, but you've got a lot to learn about women. I know, thanks to 'Sis. I'll be sure to pass on your evaluation to her. Have a great evening.

J.C.Eaton| 2.8.12 @ 6:59PM

Jim, you handled the above contratemps in a mature, measured way. Far classier than I would have been able to do. Mike is open to outrageous ridicule but a little weak on civility. This phenomenon can be rather easily illustrated with a simple question: were you ever cuddled as a child? Best,

MikeG| 2.8.12 @ 9:30PM

What she said is stupid and demeaning to women. I did not say she is stupid. You should not have posted such a comment. What would you say if someone said Sean Hannity is supporting Bachman or Palin because he has a crush on them and they are his fantasy girlfriends. Lighten up.

Talon's Point| 2.8.12 @ 10:02AM

Great article but even state health care mandates are unconstitutional despite the current realities. Powers not reserved to the feds are not automatically resereved to the states. The People still matter. In other words the Constitution does not say that powers not granted to the fed are left solely to the state or liberty has still not been unattained. We did not unite into 50 states so that tryanny could be spread among the respective states through agreement with the federal government. This assumption that "We the People" are to be viewed as subjects of either the federal government or the state depending on what the fed is not allowed to do has sadly infiltrated the minds of even conservatives.

OregonBuzz| 2.8.12 @ 10:04AM

Ann Coulter is a shrieking harpy who finds very little in this world to like, except "Mittens" of course. All that any of these clowns will do, if they win the nomination and manage to get elected, is manage the decline into serfdom.

Richard Baker| 2.8.12 @ 10:11AM

Poor Ann. The girl done lost her mind. Is she now "Demonic"?

RJ| 2.8.12 @ 11:53AM

Peter - Thanks for all of your good work in stopping Hillary care and your efforts on Obama care. I lost confidence in The Heritage Foundation when it helped formulate Romney care.

It looks like too many conservatives don't understand The Second Law of Politics, which is any social engineering government program, no matter how pristine in its formation, will be screwed up by government in a short period of time, leaving us with a much bigger, intractable problem than what we started out with.

Purp| 2.8.12 @ 1:57PM

"That means the mandated health insurance will inevitably be extremely expensive, as we are just starting to see with Obamacare. " - that is so bogus. The government is NOT setting healthcare rates, the Insurance Industry is.
If you want to really see what rates the government sets, look to Medicare with it's 4% overhead. Much, much lower. Which is more in line with the rest of the civilized world. In any case, it isn't the government raising any rates here - it's the profit seeking insurance industry. Ever notice how many large beautiful buildings and professionally landscaped property Insurance companies own? Your insurance money bought them all. At your health's expense, they spend wildly and just keep raising rates, since "healthcare" is sooo expensive. It's NOT a market driven industry, not that it would help.

patti| 2.8.12 @ 1:59PM

Yes, but the people of the state voted on this bill and voted on the mandate. Those who were mandated to buy, could shop around for the lowest priced-insurance. It wasn't one-plan-fits-all. I've also heard Romney say some things didn't work well and some things did. He'd change some things, but some things he'd leave in place. He may need to clarify these points, but I support him. Again, the people of the state wanted it, the people of the state voted on it, and the people of the state got it. If they want to over-turn it, they vote on it again. But I still see this as very different from having it rammed down the throats of the people who don't want it from at a federal level as a nation-wide one-plan-fits-all.

Merry Crystal| 2.8.12 @ 2:17PM

You write, “States have the admitted constitutional power under the federal Constitution to adopt an individual mandate if they want to do so.”

Now, it’s certainly true that the individual mandate (and the minimum wage) is, as you so eloquently explain, a disaster---perhaps THE best attempt, to date, by the left to FINALLY take over, once and for all, total control of the government. And, IF Coulter doesn’t get this, and is actually for the individual mandate, she’s lost her mind.

However, maybe the crux of the matter comes down to that from-the-beginning-of America fight between states rights and the federal government. Besides the brilliant idea of competing interests WITHIN the federal government, between the congress, the president and the courts, even more compelling is the one twixt the states and the DC gang.

So, let federalism run rampant! I say, hurrah, if the idiots in Massachusetts, say, vote to TRY OUT individual mandates. May they experience, in Detroit-like spades, their choice!

You also say, “This episode perfectly illustrates the problem with the lifelong liberal Mitt Romney.”

I know, you’re trying to make your case against Romney, so all’s fair in love and war, er politics. But, come on—Romney’s not a “lifelong liberal”! He may not be a conservative, as you see it, but surely he’s NOT a liberal---my guess is that, when it comes to personal things, as a staunch Mormon, he’s VERY conservative, and in the political dimension, like all high profile politicians, he HAD TO portray himself, and act in, a more moderate way.

Bottom line---I just don’t believe Ann Coulter, or Mitt Romney, are so as stupid to believe the horrendous individual mandate is a good idea. If Romney becomes president, it’s inconceivable to me that he would renege on his promise to repeal Obamacare.

Hey---I will definitely continue to pay attention to the ongoing political entertainment, as the GOP voters contend with all the arising unknowns, including commentary by wise guys (not a put down!) like Ferrara.

Today, with around nine months to go, the simple fact is---voters, including Ferrara, Mark Levin, Rush Limbaugh et al, and all their followers and haters, etc, will probably have to choose either Obama or Romney-Santorum. Of course, another unknown is whether a third party candidate pops up to siphon away votes.

As of this moment, despite even the admittedly amazing Ann Coulter story, I think Romney will beat Obama, the GOP will take both houses of congress, and come 2013, a whole lot of people are going to be surprised when we flip from the radical left “Obama-Reid-Pelosi” axis of “evil”, to the mostly conservative right “Romney-McConnell-Boehner” coalition of the WILLING---to undo the crap from the recent past.

Cue—John Lennon’s “Imagine”.

PCP Smoker| 2.8.12 @ 8:32PM

You are a dumb bitch

Merry Crystal| 2.9.12 @ 12:40PM

Likewise, I'm sure.

Conserdude| 2.8.12 @ 2:28PM

Brilliant analysis on the risk of nominating Romney. I, too, was caught up in his inevitability, but his recent stumbles on minimum wage and safety net for the poor (rather than creating opportunity) shows how canned and phoney he can be. Now with Santorum's trifecta last evening, conservatives need to rally behind him - now, esp. since Gingrich is a political carcass.

timmah| 2.8.12 @ 2:59PM

Does Santorum's showing last night change anything? I want to hear more evidence of his "more big government" impulses, because to hear him speak, he seems to have a clear grasp of the Constitution.

Christopher C| 2.9.12 @ 5:46AM

And was making speeches about the dire need to return to Constitutional principles two years and longer ago. I don't believe that his enthusiasm for the document are just put on for the occasion - he's been thinking about "where to from the progressive here" for some time.

Georga Collins| 2.8.12 @ 3:31PM

Too bad about Ann, really. It's as though she's been possessed. And her comments regarding Newt and Callista, to "just look at them!", they just aren't as "pretty" as Mitt and his wife. That smacks of "poliwood".....good movie. Fox has also been pro-Romney and I'm really upset that mitt is being chosen by the elites and the establishment as our nominee. Anybody but Obama and Romney....

AustinG| 2.8.12 @ 3:46PM

During this whole primary we have had a strange definition of elite or just who qualifies as the "establishment." While Limbaugh may have been an outsider when he started his current job with his popularity at this point isn't he one of the "establishment"? He certainly carries as much clout as a George Will or a Charles Krauthammer in terms of his influence. So how are they establishment and yet he is not?

Paul from SA| 2.8.12 @ 5:12PM

Ann Coulter thinks she is superior and the rules don't apply to her anymore. She does not respect us and probably never did.

I saw her on Fox News saying, "Look at Callista, look at her face. She is NOT going to be the first lady."

The tone was so condescending. The host said nothing.

She said on Fox News that Rick Perry support amnesty for illegal aliens.

The host said nothing.

Tiddly| 2.8.12 @ 6:28PM

So, I guess Michelle Obama has the face of a "first lady," then? She must, since technically she is one.

Should Have Impeached| 2.8.12 @ 10:19PM

'I saw her on Fox News saying, "Look at Callista, look at her face. She is NOT going to be the first lady." The tone was so condescending. The host said nothing.'

Ann IS known for her wit. You have to keep that in mind. But not everybody "gets" it I suppose.

tyr| 2.9.12 @ 3:32AM

SHI, the point isn't whether Ann C. likes to sometimes employ wit? The point is on the TV you've got about 20 seconds to say/do/speak/convey something useful.

Ann's FIFTY years old. She's now AARP membership-ready.

1. Act your age.
2. You are on national TV.
3. You are not an unknown.
4. You wanted the rest of us to back you and fight for you when you were thrown off campuses for taking on liberal think tanks.

The point is: There is not time on TV for a sane professional to be talking about first lady hair styles, shoe choices or facial makeup.

Either Ann wants to be treated as a serious voice and professional or we can just leave her to cavort with Bill Maher and crowd.

AustinG| 2.8.12 @ 3:42PM

The assertion that an individual mandate leads to an expansion of "health insurance" covering abortion, chiropractic care, etc... is faulty to say the least. There is a mandate in every state to buy auto insurance. Yet that mandate doesn't include gasoline purchases, care maintenance, or purchase of an automobile. Insurance works when the coverage is for events that are expensive, rare, and that the person involved doesn't want to happen. Including day to day expenses in health insurance isn't the rational conclusion of an individual mandate. It would be the result of pandering to specific providers. Certainly it would be done under the cover of providing care for people, but that is a notion that needs to be defeated. They aren't forcing insurers to pay for something they would be forcing people to buy insurance for it.

Pete| 2.8.12 @ 5:57PM

I go to a naturopath and a accupuncturist. But I don't mind paying myself, because I feel I get better treatment if my health is just between me and my doctor. I don't want a third party. If I have a critical disease or injury, I will use my insurance (or soon to be medicare). But not until then.

cicero| 2.8.12 @ 4:05PM

Well before the primary season began, I took the opportunity to read Mitt's book. He took a whole chapter in trying to defend Romneycare. He could have saved a whole lot of paper and ink by merely admitting that they tried it in Massachussetts, and it didn't work. What makes anyone think it will be any better on a national scale. But he didn't do that then, and now he is trying to defend Romneycare while castigating Obamacare. Unfortunately, everyone knows that they are basically the same. He was handed what could have been the perfect bat with which to beat Obama over the head and shoulders in the upcoming election, to Obama to beat him with.
I, too, have been a Coulter fan in the past. I think this time she came to the conclusion that Mitt was the nominee, and hitched her wagon to his star. Too soon. The Republican establishment, the same guys and gals who gave us Dole and McCain, have decided that we should all join Mitt's party. I don't think you are going to be able to fool all of the people this time, or even most of the people.

Oldefarte| 2.8.12 @ 6:56PM

Peter's conclusions are always intelligent, accurate and true; but again IMHO IT'S THE DEMOCRATS, STUPIDS! Which Republican [conservative or not] give the best chance of beating Obama/Democrats? If the wrong selection is made, the result is Obama's re-election but not four more years of same since WE DON'T HAVE FOUR MORE YEARS LEFT OF THIS ADMINISTRATION'S SOCIALISTIC DESTRUCTION OF THIS COUNTRY! If he/they are not defeated, I'd hold on to my passport for dear life because that will be your only survivability solution!!!!!!!!!

mjs_pa| 2.8.12 @ 7:31PM

Mr. FERRARA,

I'd like to thank you for your long battle against the individual mandate and socialized medicine.

POST American| 2.8.12 @ 10:56PM

---------------------FINAL WORD----------------------

Time for the men to start fighting
their battles for themselves.

Russell E Wilcox| 2.9.12 @ 10:29AM

The problem is, who else do we have besides Romney who could defeat Obama and make a reasonably good president?

youfamissim | 2.9.12 @ 1:41PM

Health Care is a product that grew out of desire - to improve physical well-being. Not everyone behaves in ways that compliment good health. Genetics ordains some will live shorter, less healthy lives. Compassion has nothing to do with health care, unless a doctor volunteers his services. Citizen "A" is not obliged to provide for citizen "B" - not now, not ever. Health Care is not a right. Like healthy foods, exercise, drugs, products contribute to good health. If you desire these products, get a job, save your money, and buy them. Those who complain they are owed health care, do not save all their money to purchase the products, nor do they behave in ways to stay healthy, nor will they cling to the Constitutional protections that preclude confiscation of wealth - no matter the how noble the good done. No, their self interest drives their desires - solely. Hoorah for me - eff everyone else. I got mine. Others, whose bigger brains and sustained efforts, and even those born into wealth, are not pockets to be robbed. Again, compassion is a chosen behavior - just like work and effort and frugality. American citizens sit by, everyday, and medical suffering occurs worldwide. Millions suffer and die and the majority of Americans do nothing. So health care is not an obligation that extends across borders. What are the limits of an American's obligation to provide health care to others? Health Care is a product available for purchase like transportation. Everyone must move periodically - life and well being may depend upon it. Are people owed transportation? Most people have feet that will transport them - shall we remove a foot from one to provide another transportation? What are the limits of responsibility Mr. Liberal? It occurred to me today that behaviors are central to all Progressivism. Some behave well, others refuse. Since all will not behave the same, and bad outcomes result, Liberals demand the bad outcome rectified, with no qualifying effort required and no consequence to be paid. Importantly, no future behavior modifications are required to prevent a recurrence. Those who behave well are perpetually responsible for the bad behaviors of others. The bad behavior crowd are immune from criticism and free to rack up needs for others to pay. Health Care is the next item to be hung around the neck of those who behave well. They will pay for the health care of others - like it or not. Not until government begins to realize behaviors are uncontrollable and government stops rewarding bad behaviors will any of this entitlement wreckage end. This may make some sad. Some folks can't bear to watch misery. But those sad feelings do not compel me or anyone else to provide a remedy. This is Progressive policy making 101. The well behaved crowd must demand an end to the claims made on their pockets

Worried for the country| 2.9.12 @ 4:04PM

Here is where Mr. Ferrara has it wrong. MA law before Romneycare defined what private insurance companies were required to cover. That same provision exists after Romneycare too. The mandate in the 60 page Romneycare law was simply targeting deadbeats who were clogging MA ERs for non-urgent care because of Federal requirements.

Mr. Ferrara is correct in his analysis of problems of government intrusion into healthcare but Romneycare is not the issue.

Beppo| 2.9.12 @ 4:14PM

Of course Romneycare is the issue. This column wouldn't have been written had not Coulter been defending the philosophical basis of Romney's MA program.

Beppo| 2.9.12 @ 4:11PM

You're dancing on a pinhead Peter. The fact is Heritage long ago endorsed the mandate as the means to AVOID socialized medicine and it's a fundamental part of the program Romney introduced in MA. Broadly speaking Coulter is correct and not being illogical in the context of Romney's candidacy. Whatever his merits Romney's embrace of what was once Heritage policy effectively immunises Obama over this issue however much we might protest about it.

POST American| 2.10.12 @ 3:56AM

----------------BOTTOMLESS LINE--------------------

---From the CFR-RED China handover,
TREASON and EUGENICS OP
---------right through to the unprecedented,
yet unfolding, ever dubious FUKISHIMA
world nuclear DE-POP OP-----------------

-----------Coulter's the 'Cover Girl' of choice---------

Becka James| 2.11.12 @ 10:41PM

Tea Party Republicans are not going to sit still for another round of George H.W. Bush.

BINGO. A Romney nomination may get those of us on the right to hold our nose and vote for him to keep Obama from a second term, but we will absolutely bolt the GOP shortly after, leaving a mess for those like Coulter to clean up.

guthriej| 2.12.12 @ 6:45PM

Ferrara is correct that individual mandate equates with socialized medicine but not that everything will be covered. Because the program becomes hideously expensive, there will be rationing, and one of the rationing devices is to limit coverage by excluding certain maladies/procedures. Committees of wise persons make up these lists and of necessity must restrict coverage - see e.g. Canada.