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I was amused by Mr. Douthat's comments about "pocket change" countries. My experience in such countries is extensive - I see health care - covered, care for elderly - covered, pensions - covered, more vacation and holiday time, etc. Thoughful urban plannning - done. Public transportation - valued. Right wing ideologues constantly point out the terrible lives these people have over there. Just untrue. Mr. Douthat's thinking is stuck in same old same old.

I thought it was useful to hear an endorsement of single payer from a "conservative."
But I agree with most that Ross Douthat's is a weak column overall. I didn't always agree with Buckley or Safire, but I admired their work.
Can't say the same for Ross - he's struggling.

isn't it interesting to hear other views?

Really Brian, why are you even bothering with this guy? what a small, unimpressive fish.

This guy is a cheap squeaking slave to the GOP.

anti human pro corporate opinions delivered in a faux civilized tone. it's almost worse (and certainly more insidious) than the real full blooded hate mongers.

the cure is worse than the disease....riiiight. the democratic plan is great because it inspires such brilliant alternative from the right. suuuuuure. do go on.

It's not true that more "socialized" medical insurance systems harm innovation. There was an article -- NY Times?? -- that laid out where recent innovations have been made. France, for example, where health care is much more single payer than here, is a leader (as is, of course, the US). You should do a segment about this, as this isn't the first time a guest on your show has made this claim.

Question: What's so great about employer based health insurance? Doesn't it put American business at a disadvantage in a global marketplace?

he's right. we should have a single payer!

I never thought I would ever favor the return of Bill Cristol. Mr. Douthat clearly is the youngest columnist at the times, also the most naive and ill informed. His columns represent the knee jerk fringe in the country completely tied a reactionary, obstructionist agenda. While his writing may be appropriate to a small college newspaper, it has no place in the New York times

I'm sorry, but for the Grey Lady, Ross Douthat is in over his head.

Exhibit A: His whiny and mean-spirited column on Obama receiving the Nobel (like we needed another column on that subject). The quality of writing and insight was on the par of an Anderson Cooper. The degradation of columnists at the New York Times is simply mirroring the culture at large, and what has already happened on Television.

I think he is pro-life, please ask him if a pro-life person can support these bills, I don't think so.

Ask him if he has any ties to industry sponsored groups.