[mike_organon]

You've observed that when some people get to force others to their will, that works best? And when was the free market tried consistently and failed?

We have a mixed economy in the US. Observing its failings doesn't prove that a free economy is wrong.

[Vivtek]

Our healthcare market is arguably freer than that of other industrialized countries. Our quality of health care is much, much worse, although I'll grant you that the much larger standard deviation means that the outcome is sometimes better (which is why the very rich like to come here for their healthcare). Generally, when somebody argues that the reason a given approach has failed is that it hasn't been tried hard enough, they're laughed at.

More specifically, if you've never had a child with a serious illness (such as my son with kidney disease) and you haven't tried the healthcare systems of several countries (as I have), then your opinion is worthless as well as illogical. Try comparison shopping in situations where you really fucking need it, then get back to me.

[mike_organon]

> The capacity to observe reality?

That is a very strong statement. My point is you haven't proven it. I certainly sympathize with your situation, but neither that nor your evidence prove that the free market is impossible according to the laws of reality. Just don't overstate your position.

> Generally, when somebody argues that the reason a given approach has failed is that it hasn't been tried hard enough, they're laughed at.

I know - I would say the same thing about socialism.

> Our healthcare market is arguably freer than that of other industrialized countries.

It's not one dimension. Maybe the way in which the US is not free causes the problems that aren't seen in countries with more powerful rulers. We have to look deeper than one dimension.