It recounts testimony at Thursday's hearing in a state House of Representatives committee:
The companies testified against any penalty for piling up surplus, raising the specter of earthquakes, epidemics and President Obama's health-care reform. The first two might bite into their holdings, and the third, they said, surely would. They said they need every cent they have.
"How much is enough?" asked Rep. Kevin Van De Wege, D-Sequim.
Their answer was a thing with no defined form — something about consumers needing "strong, muscular companies." Van De Wege asked his question again, and again received vapor.