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The video below is making the rounds, primarily because the man speaking in it, Donald Berwick, President Barack Obama’s choice to head the agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid, said to a crowd of true believers in Britain that socialized medicine is the way to go. People speak from the heart when with fellow ideologues, so there is no misunderstanding here, and when one is so infamously outspoken, it’s near impossible for the president not to know this man’s philosophy. So, what does that tell you? Exactly! (See David Limbaugh.)

But his adamant insistence that health care “by definition” means, “we must, must redistribute wealth!” has obfuscated his three other extraordinarily extremist statements — no easy feat in a sound bite a little more than two minutes long:

1. “tough choices and planning supply” (a government planning supply = rationing); 

2. “darkness of private enterprise” (a definitive condemnation of free markets and choice, and an embrace of government control over commerce); and

3. “single route of finance” (an unapologetic plea for “single payer” or government-run health care).

Combined with the president’s own words (“spread the wealth around” and “I do think at some point you’ve made enough money,” among an inexhaustibly list), it no longer is a question of the president’s philosophy, and not even of whether what to expect of him (he told us he wanted to “fundamentally transform America,” while giving lip service to centrism).

Rather, it’s a matter of himself and his government, admitting it clearly and plainly, and why he thinks government control of industry is preferable to the system of free commerce that created the highest standard of living and largest economy known to man. (Nancy Pelosi’s lame rationalization is a symptom, not a cause, so to speak, and doesn’t come close.) After all, the Soviet Union would be thriving still today if the government-run system was equal or superior to the “darkness of private enterprise” (a shameful remark that slaps at the core of American ingenuity that has given so much to the world).

Not that the president is alone in this. Even Republicans, with the rare exception of some such as Newt Gingrich, won’t call it what it is (see Bobby Eberle). But, in the meantime, here is Mr. Berwick, praising socialist Britain and slamming America for the evil that it is.

Donald Berwick at home in England while hammering America the awful.

From the man who tells those who disagree with him to “shut-up” and that they spread “lies,” and worshipped by those who adulate him as the world’s smartest man, let’s look at one of his many, shall we say, nonsensical statements last night:

(But first, have we ever had a president who relentlessly hammers job creators, as if they are the enemy?)

This man said government run health care (which he said wouldn’t be government run health care) would lower costs for everyone, but then had the audacity to lecture (i.e., threaten) insurance companies that under this “reform” they would be mandated to cover the entirety of a policy holder’s medical costs. Hmmm. How does he expect insurers’ to come up with that funding (absent the authority to tax and print, as he has, of course)? Ummm, perhaps by raising premiums? But do that enough and — ooops! — no more customers and the business goes under. 

Of course, in the age of Obama, that’s good! It’s just one more evil industry disposed of, driving millions into the much more welcoming and loving arms of government care — run, by his own admission, like the post office! I can’t fathom this man’s genius!

Putting the private sector out of business and driving taxpayers into the incompetent arms of the government. It only sounds better with the teleprompter, but the truth of its nonsense comes out with or without one.

Cartoonist and columnist (is it fair to be that talented?) William Warren of Americans for Limited Government (see Robert Romano here), was a few days early with this one, as it was published Friday. But prescient as ever given President Barack Obama’s unprecedented takeover of General Motors and forcing out its CEO, native Richmonder Rick Wagoner (see Business Week). (That’s change, all right, though a little short on hope.) As Rush said, it’s no longer General Motors. It’s Government Motors. What company or industry will the feds takeover next and what will shots will it call? By the way, why didn’t the president fire the UAW union boss Ron Gettelfinger (see Detroit Free Press)? But really, shouldn’t the president try running just the government? Isn’t running industry, too, a bit much?

Seriously, growing up, did you ever think you’d see the day? Did you ever even contemplate it because it was so ludicrous a notion?