North Carolina Law and Policy

William W. Plyler, N.C. Attorney

“How Much Does It Cost And Is It Necessary?” — Questions Generated by Health Savings Accounts

William Plyler | March 2, 2010

As someone supportive of President Obama’s efforts to reform health care, I find it difficult to understand why the president hasn’t jumped on health savings accounts (HSAs) as a way to reduce health care costs.  Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels’ piece entitled “Hoosiers and Health Savings Accounts” on the op-ed page of the 3-1-10 Wall Street [...]

"How Much Does It Cost And Is It Necessary?" — Questions Generated by Health Savings Accounts

William Plyler | March 2, 2010

As someone supportive of President Obama’s efforts to reform health care, I find it difficult to understand why the president hasn’t jumped on health savings accounts (HSAs) as a way to reduce health care costs.  Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels’ piece entitled “Hoosiers and Health Savings Accounts” on the op-ed page of the 3-1-10 Wall Street [...]

Health Savings Accounts Are A Good Idea

William Plyler | February 9, 2010

The fact that an idea is promoted by Republicans should not relegate the idea to the dung heap.  George Will’s column in yesterday’s Washington Post, How To Get The Country To Solvency On Entitlements, extols the virtues of Republican Congressman Paul Ryan’s outline for budget reform entitled Roadmap For America’s Future.  The Roadmap includes a [...]

Howard Dean Is Not A Lunatic

William Plyler | December 18, 2009

Until today, Howard Dean was best known for his primordial scream after finishing third in the 2004 Iowa caucuses.  His article entitled “Health-care Bill Wouldn’t Bring Real Reform” published in today’s Washington Post may relegate his Iowa meltdown to an historical footnote.  Dean’s article should send chills down the spine of every Democratic legislator.  If anything resembling [...]

Judicial Restraint v. Judicial Activism — Political Drivel

William Plyler | September 21, 2009

Judges should interpret (rather than make) the law and should not legislate from the bench. On the other hand, judges should invalidate legislation which conflicts with the Constitution.  Politicians of all stripes profess to agree upon these high-minded, competing principles.
Which of these principles is emphasized by a politician in a particular situation depends [...]

Sarah Palin Gets Her Mojo On Facebook

William Plyler | August 22, 2009

Facebook is the perfect forum for Sarah Palin. Her posts, reprinted by major media, generate as much buzz as would op-ed pieces in the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal. If nothing else, the posts are thought-provoking.
Sarah Palin’s August 7 post about “death panels” was a driving force behind the deletion of an [...]