What would the healthcare debate look like if it were condensed into a series of catchy 30-second television ads? Some spots could expose the effects of government control over insurance policies, while others could concretize the immense cost of HR3962. Still others might show the consequences of the bill from the physician's point of view. Certainly some (if not all) should emphasize the moral argument that the government has no right to interfere with the voluntary purchase or sale of healthcare services.

Here is how one ad might look. A spoof on one of the ads from the award-winning "Get a Mac" campaign by Apple, this spot would help expose the broken promises of our allegedly well-intentioned policymakers, and caution voters against accepting more of the same:

[Minimalist set with white background. Character representing CAPITALISM is on the right, standing. Character representing SOCIALISM is on the left, seated at desk behind a large stack of papers.]

CAPITALISM: Hello, I'm Capitalism.

SOCIALISM: And I'm Socialism.

CAPITALISM: Socialism, what are you working on over there?

SOCIALISM: Oh, it's a fantastic new bill; it's going to give more healthcare to more people--and at a lower cost!

CAPITALISM: [Eyes the stack of papers] Wow, looks pretty... invasive.

SOCIALISM: No, no, this legislation is simple. And it's not going to have any of the problems that my other legislation had. Trust me!

CAPITALISM: I feel like I've heard this before, Socialism.

SOCIALISM: What?

[Flashback]

SOCIALISM: Guaranteed Issue is here, and it's not going to have any of the problems that Community Rating had.

[Flashback]

SOCIALISM: It's not going to have any of the complications that HIPAA had.

[Flashback]

SOCIALISM: It's not going to have any of the abuses that EMTALA had.

[Flashback]

SOCIALISM: It's not going to have any of the perverse incentives that capitation had.

[Flashback]

SOCIALISM: It's not going to have any of the cost overruns that Medicare had.

[Flashback]

SOCIALISM: It's not going to have any of the distortionary tax effects that employer-sponsored insurance had. Trust me!

[Flash forward]

SOCIALISM: Yep, this time it's going to be different. Trust me.

An apt parody for a serious issue. If you or anyone you love expects to rely on the availability of life-saving care, drugs, devices, or procedures, then today's debate on the future of healthcare is no less than a matter of life or death. One path will free producers and attract capital investment, spur innovation, and increase competition. The other path will penalize investment, stifle innovation, and ensure that talent and capital flee to other industries—or other countries.

Researchers often talk about the "comparative effectiveness" of alternative treatment options. It's time we also start talking about the comparative effectiveness of capitalism versus socialism. We have all the empirical data we need: the industrial revolution, West Germany versus East Germany, the United States versus the U.S.S.R. But moreover, ask which system is moral: the one that allows individuals to provide for themselves and their families, or the system that enshackles taxpayers and doctors into the service of other men.

Don't just trust the politicians that this time the effects of their policies and programs will be different. It won't be.

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