Monday, March 22, 2010

The day after

Yesterday, Republican Representative Devin Nunes warned of the Obamacare apocalypse.
Mr. Speaker, this debate is not about the uninsured; it’s about socialized medicine. Today we are turning back the clock. For most of the 20th century, people fled the ghosts of communist dictators, and now you are bringing the ghosts back into this Chamber. With passage of this bill, they will haunt Americans for generations.

Your multitrillion dollar health care bill continues the Soviets’ failed Soviet socialistic experiment. It gives the Federal Government absolute control over health care in America.

My friends, that is what this debate is really about. Today, Democrats in this House will finally lay the cornerstone of their socialist utopia on the backs of the American people. (Congressional Record, no. 43, p. H1866)
Republican Representative Dave Camp was more succinct in his scare-mongering, stating
Simply put, the Democrats’ bill will not only ruin our health care system, but the tax increases will ruin our economy and kill jobs. ( CR 43, p. H1863)
A "socialist utopia," a "ruined economy?"

Today, Wall Street had its first opportunity to weigh in on the new legislation. It responded by sending the three major stock market indices up, with the DJIA and Nasdaq composite indices climbing to 18-month highs.
Stocks gained Monday, with health care shares leading the way, as Congressional approval of a sweeping reform bill removed the uncertainty that has surrounded its passage for months.

The Dow Jones industrial average (INDU) rose 44 points, or 0.4%, ending at a fresh-18-month high. The S&P 500 index (SPX) gained 6 points, or 0.5% and closed just shy of an 18-month high hit last week. The Nasdaq composite (COMP) gained 21 points, or 0.9%, closing at a more than 18-month high.
Apparently the "socialist utopia" isn't so bad for private businesses or even private health care companies.