When you look at individual cases, you learn that disability is necessary. My cousin lost her job a couple of years ago and the only positions she could find barely paid her half of what she used to earn. She got depressed, as would you and me in the same situation. Getting on disability was a godsend for her.

It took the greed merchants in the GOP about 45 years before they worked up their courage to go after Medicare and Medicaid. I don't think they'll have the courage to overturn universal coverage any time soon. They don't like the poor, but they also don't want to lose reelection.

I agree that we have a serious problem, but "less government" is the problem, not the solution. To be blunt, what we need is a public works programs to give people jobs. And we would get some needed infrastructure. That's a win-win situation.

This is an uncharacteristically thoughtful column. Seems like you're close to recognizing that collective action is sometimes necessary. We'll make a liberal out of you at some point, Dan!

Dan, You must be very greedy. Surely the Kochs pay you enough to push your hyper-capitalist, anti-government agenda, so why do you feel you have to curry favor with the big-money offshore crowd?

This is a moral issue. Is it right that some in our society suffer because too much money has been redistributed to the rich with unaffordable tax cuts?

This article screams jealousy. Take a deep breath, Dan, and accept that you don't deserve a Nobel Prize and you won't ever teach at an Ivy League University.

I enjoy catching Dan's mistakes. This column makes it seem as if France is in deep trouble, but he wrote just a few years ago that France was the best place in the world! http://danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2010/01/06/is-france-the-best-place-in-the-world-to-live/ So maybe a compassionate government isn't such a bad thing?

Let's be honest. Who would like to live in a primitive state like Texas with crappy schools. California is far more advanced and is willing to make the necessary government investments to maintain its lead over Texas.

King Midas was the first libertarian. All he cared about was wealth. But he got what he deserved in the end.

King Midas was the first libertarian. All he cared about was wealth. But he got what he deserved in the end.