John Stossel: Why do poor people remain poor? I used to hear this question discussed. It was colonialism, of course, left-wingers said. No, it's property rights. Private property!

Bone-headed audacity

John Stossel:

As an American, I am embarrassed that the U.S. House of Representatives has 220 members who actually believe the government can successfully centrally plan the medical and insurance industries.
I'm embarrassed that my representatives think that government can subsidize the consumption of medical care without increasing the budget deficit or interfering with free choice.

Good article.

Guess what: next comes Cash for Clunker Appliances. John Stossel: "Finally, there is something revolting about the government subsidizing the destruction of useful things. It reminds me of the New Deal policy of killing piglets and pouring milk down sewers to keep food prices from falling" — when, he might have added, people went hungry in the Depression.

I felt at the time I turned over my clunker that it truly was a clunker, but it had a little life left. I just didn't want to have to fix it.