The Senate GOP healthcare bill will get a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) score that probably will save less money and see fewer people without insurance; neither will be demonstrably different than the House version because they can’t be different. 

There is no way government-controlled healthcare can deliver an elegant solution – it’s been tried from the communist Soviet Union to several socialistic European nations.

Therein lies the rub and the $3.2 trillion question: “why have Republicans joined Democrats in abandoning a free-market solution to healthcare?”

Everyone could have healthcare insurance just as every home has at least one television. 

It wasn’t always that way. Back in 1954, RCA introduced the first color television that retailed for $1,000, the same price for a new Chevy.

That television was $9,000, adjusted for inflation and yet, you can get a good Smart TV for $500.  The point is that there is a price discovery, coupled with the creation of products that would fit customers and it wouldn’t have to cost taxpayers money or elected officials their souls.

This entire fiasco brings a whole different meaning to “His master’s voice.”

As I watched various Sunday talk shows, keeping up with the latest scuttlebutt, I’m sure the Senate will pass a healthcare bill but not before the July 4^th holiday. That being said, when it’s all said and done, there will be tremendous pressure on conservatives in the House and the Senate.  It’s still 50-50 on whether they will sell out their principles for the sake of progress. 

Many have talked themselves into difficult positions to turn back now; however, this is Washington, D.C., and a few lines in the final bill might provide cover.

The Market

The market looks to open higher this morning, although durables goods came in less than expected.  This is the second consecutive decline, and even non-defense capital goods ex-aircraft (core business spending/investment) declined.

It’s one of the more volatile data points, but back to back declines could be seen as a message from corporate America to get things moving on Capitol Hill.   The market is still seeing a building boom, which I continue to say you must have overexposure to in your portfolio.

Even as there are signs the market rally needs a break or a correction, my technical work suggests the Dow Jones Industrial Average will rally to 24,500 before its next plateau.