Now the Gloves are Really Off
Posted by JimAt last Mr. Obama realizes that there is no crossing the aisle on health care reform. It is clear the administration will be forced to craft a bill unilaterally and force it through Congress. This will please few people but at least it will be viewed as some progress and provide the Democrats with some political cover this fall.
The debate on this issue highlights a concern I often have; we are probably too democratic for our own good. Minority rights, granted by the Constitution, are what has always set us apart, the tyranny of the majority has never been accepted in this land. (OK, I know we locked up the Japanese during WWII and so on, but for the most part, we have zealously protected the rights of small groups) In the global world, I am beginning to think we need to adjust our vision as to what constitutes an adequate level of control over majorities. We now have the tyranny of the minority in place.
Health care costs are going to make life difficult for our business community in the global marketplace. I give the President credit for his professorial long-term view; he sorely misjudged our willingness to sacrifice for the future of this country. We want it now. And we want someone else(?) to pay for it.
