<p>
[quote]
"Then again, look at what a controlled economy like the USSR managed to accomplish for almost 40 years after WW II."</p>
<p>yeah, it collapsed.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>What it managed for almost 40 years, not after 40 years. Yes, the USSR collapsed in the 1990s, but that doesn't change the fact that it managed to do quite well in catching up to the West for quite a while. Obviously sustainability was the issue, but for many years the USSR's GDP rivaled that of the US's.</p>
<p>"but the politicians refuse to do anything because they either can't agree, or have no guts to make changes that might affect their reelection."</p>
<p>the politicians refuse to do anything because they are in the pocket of insurance and pharmaceutical companies.</p>
<p>Look at the 700 billion dollar prescription drug bill which is essentially a diveaway to big pharma or the bankrupty "reform" bill which is a giveaway to insurers and credit card companies</p>