Why the rush? The way the Democrats are selling health care reform feels a lot like a car dealer desperate to make a sale. The salesman shows you a shiny new model and tells you that you can drive it off the lot today, no money down, and you won't have to pay a penny until sometime in the distant future. What's more, he'll give you a great deal as a trade in on your reliable existing car. But the offer is only good if you make the decision on the spot. And, he doesn't have a copy of the actual contract so that you can read it before signing, but, not to worry, you can trust him.
Only a fool would buy under those circumstances, but Americans are expected to buy into something even more fundamental in the health care reform the Democrats are selling -- and to do so without a peep of protest.
The Democrats may have the votes to ram health care reform down the throats of the American public, but they do so at their own peril. President Obama's popularity is already suffering because voters have become wary that he's spending too much money and mortgaging our future. He's down to 47 percent approval in the latest Rasmussen tracking polls, and those who strongly disapprove of the job he's doing outnumber those who strongly approve by nearly 10 percent. But the president has three more years before he faces the electorate again, while many Democrats in Congress don't have that luxury. Those who won in previously Republican seats are worried, rightly so.
There is no reason why health care, which accounts for over a sixth of our economy, has to be entirely redesigned in the next few months. It's better to do it right than to do it fast. And there's nothing un-American about voicing honest concerns when our elected leaders seem not to want to listen.