We all know private American insurers already ration healthcare, and that few Repubilcans, certainly not among those in Congress, will admit it.

But, in any sort of public healthcare, there will have to be rationing, too. GOP poster people from Britain and Canada aside, it happens.

Well, HOW does it happen? On what basis do we make these decisions?

Writing what every Republican should read and no Democrat will likely broach, renowned and provocative bioethicist Peter Singer has delved deeply into quality-of-life issues and related matters in a long piece from the New York Times.

In part from having taught a college class on the psychology of death and dying, I have some additional reflections on the subject.

And, that's why Panetta went public. This raises yet other new questions, a couple of which I've already framed.

Same for independents. You need to beat the rush, cross over, and vote Kay in the GOP primary next spring. I've got the detailed reasoning here.

Bottom line is, if you're disgusted by the latest antic, having to borrow $650 million from the Department of Labor after refusing $550 million in unemployment related stimulus money, you need to cross over in the spring and  not wait until November 2010.

Don't take chances; read about Perry's antics and you'll know what you need to do.

President Barack Obama himself claimed recently GM's restructuring plan is "full of promise." Is it?

"Old" GM may take several years to clear bankruptcy. And, Hummer, at least, among the detritus of "old" GM, has yet to sell. If Beijing's ixnay on its sale to a Chinese maker becomes permanent, will anybody step up next?

The government equity stake in GM, if translated into an estimate of company value as measured by stock price, may have grossly overvalued the company.

And, the government's estimate for "new" GM's recovery time? Well, that, like other things, was probably based on the same talks with Rosie Scenario that  underestimated the depth of the recession.

Read here for a complete roundup of why the "new," or "remnant," GM,  may not be so full of promise. And, why we will probably be talking about this for a few years.