Try north of 20% and that's with a high deductible HSA that's supposed to be the savior. Makes me a 'consumer'. Try asking your doctor what something will cost. They look at you like your insane. Someone else can tell you. Then try and go someplace else for a lower cost. Impossible. Have to move your medical records. It's nuts to view this like any other economic product. We are irrational in our decisions, you can purchase an almost unlimited amount while unconscious. Dems are wrong that the government can administer it but conservatives miss it trying to treat it like any other widget. You have to view it as bankruptcy insurance until everyone gets the mind set normal maintenance isn't covered (colds, physicals) and we can shop procedures). Had two CT scans last year. Same machine. One was $59.99 (no mistake) one was $600. We may get there with technology but not if Obama transforms us into a European democracy first.

Having just purchased a hamster in the last two weeks with my daughter I nearly totaled my car in fits of laughter at James' astute observation that the purpose of hamsters is to teach little girls about death. Classic. Great show again.

Totally agree with Nic

I think Mike Murphy  makes these podcasts GREAT!!  I love his fast talking and funny insider analysis.  Debate on Jupiter in 3D -- greatness.  Keep him coming back.  Ricochet would be worth two (2) grande non-fat lattes at the flagship Starbucks in Seattle with more Mike Murphy.  All those who disagree -- please remember the Ricochet code of conduct :) 

Loved the movie analysis too.  Thought I wouldn't but it was very entertaining as well.  

You had me at lunch with Victor. You are a blessed man!

I too benefitted from big pharmacy today. $3.50 for a generic on an HSA plan where I basically pay $1000/mo for a family and then pay everything else too unless something major happens. I don't know if Peter will see this but would love the Ricochet crew to explain the visceral objection to the individual mandate. Seems to me Republicans make a mistake treating healthcare like any other good or service. Healthcare is economically irrational. My dad is 90 and objectively can't do much anymore but do I want healthcare for him? YES! If it were my car I'd say junk it. Some will get hit by a car, some drop dead and others will slowly (and expensively) fade into that good night. Seems like everyone needs to be in the mix to balance it out. Otherwise we need ambulance drivers to do credit checks on the side of the road to see if you're good for it. Additionally what else can you buy an almost infinite amount of while unconscious (insert Charlie Sheen joke here) but that also seems to defy normal economic assumptions and markets.

If anyone commenting works in private equity I'd love to get an insiders first hand perspective.  I have a good friend in private equity and my impression from a short distance is they don't really create jobs but they may add to increases in productivity and the overall wealth in the economy.  My impression is that they purchase business on the down swing, cut the fat, try to make them profitable and sell for a profit.  That may involve growing the business but that doesn't seem to be nature of most private "turn around" equity -- but it does extract economic value from something that otherwise might have died.  This seems to me to be a far cry from "entrepeneurialism" which I take to be Jeff Bezos creating Amazon.com out of whole cloth in his garage.  Bill gates and Microsoft, Apple, Intel, even small firm lawyers like myself growing a practice and adding lawyers -- the benefit of more lawyers is certainly open for debate and I wouldn't fight too hard with anyone who felt that one should be carved out of my list.  Newt looks like he's channeling Axelrod capping how much one can earn.  

I'm in Texas.  You are correct in your inference that he didn't have much to do with it.  The environment in Texas attracts the jobs.  That environment existed before him, before Bush ... low regulation, no state income tax (which is made up for in inflated property taxes by the way) has been part of Texas since before I got here in 1990 so he is as responsible for the Texas success as Barry Switzer was for taking Jimmy Johnson's Cowboy's to the Super Bowl with Aikman, Smith and Irvin.  Texas Republicans have shuddered for years when he spoke and couldn't imagine him taking the national stage.  It has played out exactly as expected.  I actually felt bad for him after Iowa and agree he should have quit then with some modicum of dignity.  The American society's short attention span theatre had almost forgotten his tortuous debate performances and now he's joined Newt in this absurd David Axelrod like bashing of Romney.  Plenty of other distinctions to make.

It seems to me that just because someone was not the an exemplary president but was "tremendously smart, competent and hard-working ... and led an exemplary life" doesn't discount the value of those qualities in a potential candidate.  

My folks moved in a little over a year ago to assisted living. They have long term health insurance and savings and the place is brand new. Still where they live seems to me to be a holding area until they have to move to the "memory unit" downstairs. They would never move in with any of us because my mother wouldn't want to impose but if you can do it God bless you. My dad can no longer get out of a chair on his own and my mother can't help him anymore so they had to do it and at some point you may need to make that call as well. Dont beat yourself up over it. I agree with a post earlier. We are living to long. Good luck to you.

Peter I've listened to Ricochet since almost the beginning. Like it so much I havent missed a UK episode since then and generally I've found you to be even handed but with regard to Romney you really have a bur in your bonnet. I couldn't understand the fascination with Perry. Everyone in Texas where I am knew he wasn't ready for prime time but you were willing to look at anybody but Romney and then one episode it hit me. You worked for Reagan you love Reagan and Romney disavowed him in the 90s. It was a mistake. He should apologize to you and you as a good Catholic should forgive. This race is over unless someone else jumps in. Gingrich has showed he won't move the independents. Bachman surely won't and Santorum is too hard core on the social issues to get that wobbly 7% in the middle. Who doesn't love Paul until you imagine any conflict. It's Romney. Let's stop shooting inside the tent and focus on getting this self described lazy President out. Missing the Podcast this week. Hope you enjoy the break.

I thought it was interesting/ironic when I believe Conor was criticizing Rush for criticizing Newt supports when at the outset of the show I believe I heard one of the ladies say "I take a back seat to no one in my desire to see Obama removed from office, but if Newt is the nominee then I'm staying home."  It makes me more likely to support Romney when I hear people who hold themselves out as conservatives essentially admit they'll hold the door open for Obama to return rather than vote Newt.  Circular firing squads indeed.  I would admit to feeling that way about Rick Perry, but I wouldn't advocate that on my podcast.  You most definitely take a back seat to many of us.  If I thought we'd survive until 2016 when the bumper crop of candidates is available, I might be able to go along.  

He certainly connects with the tea party but I would be curious to see if connects with the Texas Tea Party that knows more intimately that he's not quite the conservative he claims to be today in 2011.  

I agree with everything Dr. Rahe has to say except "I'm inclined to support Perry". I don't know many TX republicans that like him. Not that I know that many but I could name a dozen with a visceral dislike and only a couple that find him acceptable. Wasn't that way with Bush. There's another distinction Perry could use.

I had tried to send via twitter previously when the talk on the Ricochet podcast tended toward interest in Perry because the conventional wisdom is that he is a "tea party conservative."  He is if that's what is popular today.

The following article I think does a pretty good and objective job of summarizing Perry.  I personally like Pawlenty of the choices out there and Romney is growing on me.  At least he has been nationally vetted before.  I think when the national media gets a hold of Perry's Gardisil issue (the attempt to require 12 year old girls in TX to get a vaccine for a sexually transmitted disease the effects of which have been catastrophic to some) and that his jobs initiative funds essentially sent money to big donors with dubious results and the the fact that he has had little to do with the TX success story, I think we'll be looking elsewhere. 

In any case -- please read http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/06/rick_perry_a_moderates_conservative.html

One addition item to consider -- http://www.kwtx.com/home/headlines/Poll__Few_Texas_Republican_Voters_Support_Perry_For_President_124011454.html

Texas Republicans think Perry is OK but would prefer he not be president.  Those are those folks that know him best.