[tptacek]

Only in the abstract. When you work out a concrete proposal that involves people paying for programs, support evaporates.

[antisthenes]

People are already paying for the healthcare one way or another, whether they understand it or not.

[tptacek]

Oh, you can get a lot of stuff done if you just assume you know better than voters do and make the decisions for them.

[antisthenes]

You think the ruling classes in the US don't assume that they know better than the voters?

And they still get nothing done when it comes to entrenched interests. Let's not glorify the average voter either.

[locopati]

The voters are for the most part uninformed, bordering on flat out ignorant. I feel safe in saying the experts who solve problems like this do know better than voters.