On Thursday, house democrats decided to hold a press conference (supporters-only rally?) outside the capitol to celebrate the grand unveiling of an $894 billion dollar health package.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was quoted saying

It is with great pride and with great humility that we come before you to follow in the footsteps of those who gave our country Social Security and then Medicare — and now universal, quality, affordable health care for all Americans

While these claims (quality, affordable… humility) are obviously rubbish, I believe her comparison to ‘reforms’ of the past is perfect. Social Security and Medicare are currently in the process of doing exactly what universal health care will do: go bankrupt.

According to the Washington Post (not quite a bastion of conservatism) as recently as May of this year, the Office of the Chief Actuary warned of the insolvency and coming collapse of both Social Security and Medicare. In less than 7 years (2016) the Social Security program will begin spending more money than it takes in, by 2037 the fund is completely depleted. As if that’s not bad enough, Medicare is actually even MORE pressing. Medicare’s fund is depleted in less than 8 years (2017) and that doesn’t even count the parts that cover doctor’s visits and prescription drugs!

Now despite the fact that both these programs are already marching off the cliff, Speaker Pelosi wants to add on another lemming “following in the footsteps”… an 894 billion dollar lemming.