Showing Their True Colors

By Dave Andrukso

I typically include hyperlinks to the articles I discuss with the hope that you might have the time to read the original in its entirely. That is most certainly true for an op-ed written by Michael Gerson that appears in today’s Washington Post.

The headline reads, “Democrats show their true colors in push for health reform,” and it can be read online at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/03/16/AR2010031603581.html.

Michael Gerson

Instead of offering any commentary, let me just quote two important passages. Gerson writes,

“The second thing we have learned during the health care debate is that the Democratic Party's commitment to abortion rights is even more central to its identity than health reform. [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi's initial concession to anti-abortion Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak--preventing federally subsidized health plans from covering abortion-- was made for show. Says Stupak: ‘I really believe that the Democratic leadership is simply unwilling to change its stance. Their position says that women, especially those without means available, should have their abortions covered.’ But this stance by the Democratic leadership violates an informal social agreement that has existed for decades, in which abortion is generally legal but citizens who object to the practice are not required to pay for it.” ….

“For some elected Democrats, the prospect of expanding health coverage is a moral goal worth the compromise of any principle and the adoption of any necessary method. But they need to enter their vote with open eyes. The passage of this legislation would decisively confirm an image of the Democratic Party that many have worked to change: partial to big government, pro-abortion and fiscally reckless.”