Why Politicians Lose the Respect of the People

Following is the text of comments made by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid about Republican opposition to the Obama Health Care bill:

"Instead of joining us on the right side of history, all Republicans have come up with is this: Slow down, stop everything, let's start over. You think you've heard these same excuses before, you're right. In this country, there were those who dug in their heels and said, Slow down, it's too early. Let's wait, things aren't bad enough about slavery. When women want to vote, slow down, there will be a better day to do that. The day isn't quite right. This body was on the verge of guaranteeing civil rights to everyone, regardless of the color of their skin, some senators resorted to the same filibuster threats that we hear today. History is repeating itself before our eyes. There are now those who don't think it is the right time to reform health care. If not now, when?"


Senator Reid's outrageous comments sound like the desperate flailings of a man on the losing side of a debate.  Comparing the Health Care Reform bill to the struggles for Abolition, Women's Suffrage and Civil Rights trivializes those important historical achievements and diminishes the credibility of his own effort.

It might be worth pointing out that the first Republican President was also known as the Great Emancipator.  It might be worth noting that the civil rights struggle saw a Democratic party that fractured with southern segregationists splitting with the party while Republicans registered African American voters.  It might be worth pointing these things out if Senator Reid's comments were worthy of rebuttal, but they are really not.

It is small wonder that he is trailing in his campaign for re-election this year.