The government is merely a servant … Its function is to obey orders, not originate them. ~ Mark Twain
Triumph in their grasp, President Barack Obama and House Democrats demonstrated command of the votes needed to pass landmark health care legislation Sunday night, a climactic chapter in a century-long quest for near universal coverage.
The House argued its way through a thicket of Republican objections toward a late-evening vote on the bill to extend coverage to 32 million Americans who lack it, ban insurers from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions and cut deficits by an estimated $138 billion over a decade. (Cut deficits? By pushing more people out of work and not letting them keep more of their own money? — Ed)
“We will be joining those who established Social Security, Medicare and now, tonight, health care for all Americans,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., as the vote neared.
She partnered with Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., in more than a year of turbulent struggle.
Republicans readily agreed the bill would affect everyone in America, but warned repeatedly of the impact of more than $900 billion in tax increases and Medicare cuts combined.
“We have failed to listen to America,” said Rep. John Boehner of Ohio, the GOP leader.