Are we condemning our children to downward mobility? Good question. Considering how health spending could threaten future living standards, it ought to be center stage in the "reform" debate. Instead, it's ignored.

An oft-stated view is that the growth of the U.S. economy will make the young so much richer than their parents that they can afford a bigger health care sector and still enjoy large increases in their living standards.

Complaining about providing more generous health care is selfish. This is a powerful argument; unfortunately, it isn't true.