A Stray Post

I needed to put this somewhere, but Facebook seemed like the wrong place. Probably because it would lead to people reading it.

The Argument for Health Care Paternalism

My problem with arguments for paternalism like this one is two-fold (or at least, these are the two folds I have worked out so far):

1) How do we distinguish consumers "making mistakes" from consumers "making choices that we don't like/we wouldn't make"? That is, how do we separate weird preferences from irrationality? Who determines how much discounting of future health risks is "excessive discounting of future health risks" and how much is "too much concentration on dimensions that allow easy comparisons"?

2) Supposing that consumers do make mistakes, the case for regulation rests on the assumption that the establishment will not make the same (or worse) mistakes, which is hugely questionable given that it is left up to political processes. Okay, subsidize preventative care: how much? It's easy to say that a small subsidy moves us towards efficiency, but are the efficiency gains worth the institutional costs?

Obviously the health care market is far from the Econ 101 benchmark, and all of the informational arguments made by Dr. McFadden are clearly apt. Improving information provision in the health care market is necessary. But I'm not sure that regulation of the kind currently being considered offers much improvement, given the flaws inherent in our policy-making processes.

Why don't he write? An abbreviated NFL Draft Preview

Christmas, the 4^th of July, and Opening Day are all here! This year’s NFL draft post will be a lazy rendition of past versions but, this just in, blogs are a time suck. So without further disclaimer for mediocrity, below is a homeless version of Peter King’s things I think I think...

I think, fairly or unfairly, I'm fairly certain Nick Fairley would be my first pick and a fairly good player. Cam Newton was the quarterback of the National Champion, but Nick Fairley carried that team.

Seems Fairley obvious to me

I think Patrick Peterson is the safest pick, but I think no GM has the balls to take a corner #1 even if Darrelle Revis is the best defensive player in football.

I think Marcell Dareus was named after a store brand battery, and will be renting a campsite from Big Daddy Warren in three years.

Better start eating, kid

I think AJ Green is A LOT better than Julio Jones. A LOT.

I think I’m bored with the lockout already. I wish Johnnie Cochran was still with us.

I think Jake Locker will be the best quarterback in this class, though I’m not sure that’s saying much.

I think it’s an extremely weak top of draft if two players from the University of Missouri go in the top 11 picks.

I think Mike Pouncey should give half his signing bonus to his brother.

I think I forgot to put out the trash this morning.

I think Muhammad Wilkerson, the defensive lineman from Temple, is someone I have to like.

I think Blaine Gabbert will be one of the best quarterbacks in Argonauts history.

Rocket Ismail likes this

I think it’s been too long since I’ve had a slurpee.

I think Da'Quan Bowers, the pride of Bamberg (after my father-in-law), is a top 5 player that goes in the 20s.

I think Todd McShay was better in Wedding Crashers than he was in The Hangover.

I think Mark Ingram to the Pats hurts my dynasty fantasy team.

I think Deion Sanders should be the Charles Barkley of NFL telecasts.

I think NFL “draft experts” need to grow some balls. If Cam Newton is not worthy of the top pick do not make him your #6 overall prospect. If Nick Fairley has fallen because he only played one season of D-1 don’t make him your top player before “realizing” he played just one year. If Blaine Gabbert is not listed in your first round do not give him a top 10 ranking the day he declares because it is a weak QB class.

I think the Lions will fall into another great pick. I’d guess Prince Amukamara.

I think Phil Taylor from Baylor rhymes. I also think Phil Taylor has all-ugly hall of fame potential.

I think it’s funny that Brooks Reed from Arizona will go late in the first or early in the second because he reminds people of Clay Matthews but Casey Matthews, Clay’s brother, will go in round four or five.

I think Ryan Williams is going to be a fantasy monster.

I think no one is talking about the rookie wage scale. Doesn't your calculus change if Cam Newton costs $30M instead of $80M?

I think Ras-I Dowling is the only draft pick whose autographed picture is on my mantle. I think at worst he’s the best Ras-I not in the Blind Boys of Alabama (probably).

I think Brandon Harris from Miami makes up part of the best cornerback class I can remember.

I think to save time the NFL should start printing “Mallett” Raiders’ jerseys now.

I think Jonathan Baldwin is either good Antonio Bryant or bad Antonio Bryant.

I know I wish Ted Leonsis owned the Redskins.