I did not limit my "government is always more expensive" statement to health care. So here is one real number for you. Dept of Energy formed in August of 77 to reduce the US dependence on foreign oil. Budget for current FY 24.7 billion. Dependence on imports? 1977, 38% 2008, 71% and those numbers will vary a few points depending on where you get them. So you are correct. I don't trust the government to provide any consumer service. Because I believe they will fail to meet the needs of the people. The objectives of those creating the plan is not to support us. It is strictly for their gain and re-election.

Medicare may cost you less but only because it is going broke. If premiums were raised to reflect true cost and sustain the program, it would cost you more. As for taxes, we don't need any more government spending to cause them to increase. Those already passed like the porkuless bill will cause that all by itself. So you will get your wish and taxes will go up.

I really can not think of a single successful government run program. So why should I expect health care to succeed. No it can't be proved that it will be more expensive, but their track record sure supports that premise. Before they add any new programs, don't you think the money would be better spent fixing some of the existing ones? Maybe SS and Medicare would be a good start. Let them show those can be managed successfully and I might be a little more supportive of health care.