Anyone who’s been around this site lately should recognize the title of this post. It’s the little signature that commenter anonone has been putting at the end of his comments. Well, I’ve been thinking about this a bit (no, I don’t have anything better to do — thanks for asking) and I’ve decided that he just might be right — but not for the reason he thinks he is.
I am unwaveringly of the opinion that this bill, imperfect as it is, is still the most important and moral piece of social legislation passed since El Somnambulo was detailing the backroom deals that set up homeroom rules. The Republicans (and some of the Democrats) opposing this act will clearly be on the wrong side of history. Their shortsightedness in opposition and reprehensible lying and fear-mongering will be a moral stain on their party for generations to come. Just as was their opposition to Social Security. Just as was their opposition to Medicare. Just as was their (and the Southern Democrats’) opposition to Civil Rights legislation. Just as were the lies that drew us into an unnecessary war.
So yes, I do think HCR 2010 = WMD 2002. Mid 21st Century Republicans will look back at their predecessors’ opposition to health care reform that way that most (before a year or so ago) looked at the fight against civil rights, and the way history will judge our entry into war with Iraq. When my daughter’s generation grows up, they will look back in amazement at the time when millions of Americans didn’t have access to affordable health care. And if you don’t think conservatives will quickly come to support health care reform the way all Americans will, just look at Canada, Britain, or Massachusetts. The Republican Party will long regret, and will long pay for, the foolish and immoral stand they’ve made the past year.