It used to be that of the two things assured in life – death and taxes – the government controlled only one. Now they want control of the other.

The trillion plus dollar cost of ObamaCare (read socialized medicine) often obscures an obvious fact. The real cost of socialized medicine is in lives. As I have indicated on this site (read Even The NYT Won’t Avoid The Truth – Socialized Healthcare Stinks and I Have 25 Stents – And I Don’t Want The Public Option), the real impact of socialized medicine – loss of ingenuity, the death of the medical specialist, rationing, and high cost – are the real casualties of any public plan.

I do not suffer fools lightly, and thankfully it appears the American public, not quite as tuned out as the elites in Washington wish, are fully attentive to the smoke screen thrown up by the liberals in congress and now demand to see behind the curtain of obfuscation generated to hide one of the most liberty killing, costly (in terms of lives and money), and ineffective reform bills ever to hit the legislature.

It does not take a genius to understand that allowing the public option to compete on an exchange with private insurance is a recipe for the full takeover by the public option. It insults our intelligence that elites in Washington think us incapable of understanding how a non-profit, government funded public option would crowd out for-profit private insurers. Raise taxes or print money – the government, in the end, always wins. But at what cost? Are we truly to believe that government is capable of efficiency. Mentioning efficiency and government in a sentence that equates the two is a sure sign of a serous disconnect with reality.

The most liberty stealing feature of the public option is that now the government gets to decide if you get that treatment. They decide if you live of die.

If you think socialized medicine is a good thing, just spend an hour on Google and check out the rationing and other horror stories of so-called public options from around the world.

Something else to be thankful for, the death of Obama’s attempted make over of our country does not end with just his health care policy.

Bret Jacobson of Opposing Views writes Obama May Be Forced to Give Up Top Economic Initiatives:

It looks as if Americans — already pummeled by an economic slide from dropping home prices to 10 percent unemployment — may avoid the final knockout punch. Political pundits are forecasting increasing odds that that grassroots pressure may force President Obama and Congressional Democrats to give up on some of their top policy initiatives — legislation that would have saddled already-strapped taxpayers with even greater economic burdens.

Sure, the trillions already wasted in stimulus and deficit spending are bad. But that price tag is nothing compared to the three worst potential policy threats that seem to be losing momentum as more voters read their newspapers and more politicians starting reading the bills they’re voting on.

On the cutting block, Global Warming/Cap and Trade, Card Check Union Organizing (all but dead), and the health care public option (on serious life support and hopefully dying). Mr. Jacobson continues:

Change We Can’t Afford

While President Obama was elected by sizable majorities, it is not clear the public sent him to Washington with any specific policy mandates.

Meanwhile, discussion of the nation’s leftward lurch has some support among polling on voter identification, but ideological identity still favors conservatism in America. Moreover, recent figures show more Americans think the Democratic party is too liberal.

It seems America voted for some sort of “change,” though the Democrats’ version has not been what the doctor ordered on health care, energy taxes, or increasing the influence of union officials. In no instance has the public shown an appetite for going socialist.

There are certainly a host of small policy problems likely to be passed by big-government types in both parties. But Democrats have firmly grabbed the “overreach” mantle, though now it fits like an albatross.

By seeking economy- and society-altering policy overhauls with combined price tags of trillions of dollars, a handful of political elites showed they lost touch with a public that is, by and large, conservative. They’re just not crazy enough to seek change we can’t afford.

This is not over – not by a long shot. Complacency is the friend of Obama’s policies. The biggest mistake a boxer can make is overconfidence. Drop your guard for a moment, and that opponent who seconds ago looked destined for the floor surprises you with a right uppercut to the jaw. We are winning the battle of hearts and minds with objectivity and rationality on our side; but when has rational thought defined government?

More health care news:

Glenn Reynolds:

ANOTHER HEALTHCARE BILL NUGGET: “The section, titled ‘Advanced Care Planning Consultation’ requires senior citizens to meet at least every 5 years with a doctor or nurse practitioner to discuss dying with dignity.”

You have got to be kidding me. Thanks mom and dad, and our government thanks you to for all that hard work you did raising us. But your just too old and its just not worth keeping you around anymore. Sorry.

Michelle Malkin: Barack Obama speaks the truth! Update: Mayo not okay-o with Obamacare

Music to my ears, but don’t stop those phone calls and emails yet: Obamacare: Code Blue

Must see video via Glenn Reynold’s: NO PACEMAKER FOR YOUR MOM — have her take a pain pill.

I had to read this one twice. I think I slipped a disk during the double take. Better get that taken of before rationing arrives. From the Heritage Foundation: Morning Bell: Obama Admits He’s “Not Familiar” With House Bill. Ahem, excuse the question from a dumb citizen, but is anyone else out there bothered just a little about this statement?