Wednesday, March 31, 2010 By Ben Gunning Democrats from across America are rallying behind the President. But do they really support the bill? - Courtesy of Creative Commons Advertising Healthcare Reform: Love It or Hate It, This Legislation's Legendary    “I have wondered at times what the Ten Commandments would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress.” Ronald Reagan’s perception of Congress’s flaws accurately describes the last year of healthcare reform debate. After one year of quibbling like little children, Congress has finally passed a piece of legislation that is 1% healthcare, 1% Democrat, and 98% confusion and controversy. President Obama definitely went above and beyond in fulfilling his promise for “change.” While the healthcare bill will be a subject of debate for years to come, it is an irrefutable fact that this bill will set a precedent for the next decade of Congressional politics.     This bill will have a lasting impact on this nation, and not only because of its substance. In fact, most of its influence will come from its effect on Congress. The healthcare bill has great potential to skew Congress in many detrimental ways. It has set Congress up to be completely polarized. Moderates no longer feel welcome on Capitol Hill, and the Middle Ground is practically the trapdoor beneath a prisoner’s feet during a hanging. Any independents and moderates bold enough to remain are left in the crossfire of two increasingly radical parties. This bill has vanquished the crucial niche the moderates once filled. Even the most petty of tasks will consume weeks of extremist catfights.     Additionally, the passing of this bill reveals the new way to force a bill into law. The healthcare bill was over 2,000 pages long and by no means contains 2,000 pages of substance. The length of future bills will follow this trend of constant compromise and hundreds of miscommunications along the lawmaking process. The bill has opened a dangerous door into the realm of nasty politics where influential politicians rush a bill through bribery, deception, foolish compromises, and threats. Our “highly esteemed” Senators and Representatives are not playing nice-nice anymore.     Regardless of whether you support or oppose it, healthcare reform has certainly left more than a dent on this country. You might consider this legislation a leap toward socialism or legislative manna, but, either way, Congress will never be the same again.

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