So NOW free markets don't look so good, eh John?

John Derbyshire of the Corner laments his skyrocketing insurance costs. Apparently, an 81% hike in his premium is enough to make John realize that there's a problem with our health care system.

Brad DeLong offers the Derb a lesson in market economics, while Hilzoy goes further:

Seriously: John Derbyshire writes for one of the most respected conservative magazines out there. He advocates free markets. Was he somehow unaware that his own principles leave him with no grounds for complaint when something like this happens? Or that all sorts of other people face this sort of thing all the time?

Hilzoy closes the piece with this:

John Derbyshire: meet your principles. Principles, Derbyshire.

I think that says it all. You can't decry the same system you prop up at every opportunity when it bites you in the ass.