I just can't get into this hysteria over the health care bill. I don't think the communists or the fascists have taken over. We're not being herded into the cattle cars. And I don't think this bill means the end of everything good in the United States. Our health care system has problems. Year after year the problems have multiplied and intensified. The Republicans had ideas to reform the system, but they were not willing to pay the political price to bring their ideas to fruition when they had the chance. They spent their political coin on the war.
A party only has so much political pull before the forces of our two-party system bring around the other side. The Democrats took on the issue with all its risks. And they got to shape the issue. If not this bill, some other egregious liberal bill would have been passed. That's to be expected in a highly polarized country.
The good news is, the Democrats will have to pull their punches from now on. They have spent their ability to push through controversial legislation. Republicans will most likely pick up seats and be in a better position to shape legislation. And health care does need to be fixed. At least this is a start. It's not unimaginable that we could tweak this thing into something that works. We aren't Europe or Canada. We don't have to be anyways. Perhaps we can come up with something new.
I'd like to see the Republicans start to prioritize their own goals for when they get back into power. How about reforming our tax system? Or decreasing the size of government? Or vouchers for education? Unfortunately, I bet the government will grow under their watch also, but with less hysteria from their side.
Comments