Health care bill is horrific but there is still HOPE

Both of these bills amount to a disaster of epic proportions for this country. CBO numbers based on unbelievably dubious assumptions (and simply the fact that these numbers are being based on more years of taxing than years of benefits that correspond to those taxes) aside, this bill is going to result in crushing new taxes. There is no way around that. A disproportionate amount of that burden will fall on the shoulders of the rich, who can apparently never be punished enough for the audacity they've displayed in having been successful in life, but if you think the rapidly disappearing middle class will not feel this, I've got a bridge (not to nowhere, I'll leave that one alone for today) I'd like to sell you. That's not to speak of the inevitable problems that will come from government management of yet another formerly (at least partially) private sector or the massive expansion of government (meaning more bureaucracy and more spending by an entity that produces NOTHING other than the "service" of wealth redistribution) that is involved. At this point, there's nothing that can be done about any of that. The necessary votes to kill the Republican filibuster have been bought and paid for (by the taxpayers of this country) and obviously, some version of this bill is going to become law. The only hope there is that some of the worst provisions will end up being removed during the joint resolution process.

However, there are several positives to find hope in. Alabama Representative Parker Griffith has deserted his party, citing among other things the Democrats' undying desire to spend massive amounts of money this country does not have. The passage of the health care bills was the last straw for him. There are is also talk of Republicans working to win over other Democrats. This is to say nothing of the bludgeoning incumbent Democrats, particularly those in traditionally red states, are likely to take in the 2010 elections which are right around the corner. The Democratic majority seems to have chosen health care as its one punch. They have accomplished surprisingly little of their agenda in the time they've had so far. They will barely manage to sneak this monstrosity through the legislative process in the end and we are already seeing some of the consequences. So called "moderate Democrats" are going to have a very difficult time presenting that image at any point in the future after having voted for this. Who knows? Obama should have an easy win in 2012 but his complete disregard for some of his campaign promises ("you'll get to watch the health care negotiations on CSPAN and everyone will have a voice" quickly turned into back room negotiations the majority of Congress knew nothing about, for instance) may change that. The main point is this: as awful as this health care situation is, it may well end up being the worst we see from this extreme left White House administration and the likewise leaning, near super majority Congress. 2010 and 2012: now that's change I can believe in!