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Sorry, Mr. President, Nobody Likes Change

Let's reform health care, as long as it can stay the same

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 28, 2009 9:14 AM CDT

(Newser) – If you listen to pandering politicians or ranting radio hosts, you’d think Americans want big, far-reaching change right away. They might disagree on what change, but nobody likes the way things are. Well, you’d be wrong, writes Michael Kinsley for the Washington Post. As the health care debate so vividly demonstrates, once change becomes a concrete possibility, Americans panic.

“Voters are immature,” argues Kinsley. Republicans took down the Clinton health care initiative when Bill Kristol argued that it was better to be against all change than tarred for backing a particular change. Amazingly, he was right politically. Reform died, Republicans rose, and millions went uninsured. Voters have dutifully voted for change again—and now are dutifully flipping out again. “Sure we want change—as long as everything can stay just as it is.”

In this Sept. 1, 2008, file photo Barack Obama speaks at a rally at the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee.
In this Sept. 1, 2008, file photo Barack Obama speaks at a rally at the Marcus Amphitheater in Milwaukee.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
Elizabeth Smith ,left, and her husband Spence Smith hold protest signs during a rally protesting government managed health care in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, August 6, 2009.
Elizabeth Smith ,left, and her husband Spence Smith hold protest signs during a rally protesting government managed health care in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, August 6, 2009.   (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
In this Nov. 2, 2008, file photo, supporters hold up letters spelling CHANGE, during an outdoor rally with then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.
In this Nov. 2, 2008, file photo, supporters hold up letters spelling "CHANGE", during an outdoor rally with then-Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.   (AP Photo/Amy Sancetta, FILE)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 25 comments
matteo
Aug 29, 2009 7:45 AM CDT
bill kristol doesn't know his ass from his mouth, as he keeps shitting from his mouth...america can stay like it is, the change part is necessary if you want to be part of this world and not stand alone...
NxBigmouthery
Aug 28, 2009 10:47 AM CDT
So, you took a hackneyed old gag and ran it here anyway, despite the fact that it's already been used further up the page. Oh, you're on fire with the no thinking.
johntitor
Aug 28, 2009 9:19 AM CDT
The* blah cant type today

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