The tragedy is that Mr. Obama inherited a consensus that thehealth-care status quo needs serious reform, and a popular Presidentmight have crafted a durable compromise that blended the best ideasfrom both parties. A more honest and more thoughtful approach mighthave even done some good. But as Mr. Obama suggested, the Democraticold guard sees this plan as the culmination of 20th-century liberalism.
So instead we have this vast expansion of federal control. Never inour memory has so unpopular a bill been on the verge of passingCongress, never has social and economic legislation of this magnitudebeen forced through on a purely partisan vote, and never has a partyexhibited more sheer political willfulness that is reckless even forWashington or had more warning about the consequences of its actions.