Nice title*? But even more amazing is that this is a quote from David Frum of all people!
As The New Republic reports Frum in his majority report blog writes.
As some of the self-employed leave the tax rolls, they will lose one reason to vote Republican. Many will also have a reason to vote Democrat: health insurance. "Several of my friends, once die-hard Republicans, have begun to lean left since working for themselves or for a small company," says Noe Pagán. "There’s nothing like a lack of health insurance to change your point of view." It seems paradoxical that a rise in self-employment might create a constituency for bigger government, but the modern economy is shaking up many old alliances.
For anyone doubts the wisdom of pursuing health care reform in the midst of a recession the above text should give them pause. It's only when the upper middle class feels pressure on an issue that real movement starts to occur.
It seems paradoxical that a rise in self-employment might create a constituency for bigger government, but the modern economy is shaking up many old alliances. When a demographic is diverse enough to contain both Bill Gates and a Brooklyn mom, both a Dallas trucker and a top Manhattan publicist, allegiances will be a bit muddled. What is clear is that as the Republican Party struggles to fight its way out of the political wilderness, it can’t take today’s entrepreneurs for granted.
For those who are interested in the original study from the Manhattan Institute here is a link to the City Journal. I have long felt that one key component from the health care debate that democrats have never brought up is the entrepreneurs. The question should be asked: How many business never get started because potential entrepreneurs can't provide health care to their families? I personally know many small business folk who were only able to start a business because their spouses worked for a company that provided health care. I believe this memory could help democrats win over most of the less ideological ones on this argument alone.
One point David Frum doesn't seem (or want) to acknowledge, is that many of these self-employed are not voluntarily self-employed. Many of these people were quite happy working for a large company with benefits and are on their own through circumstances outside their control. Now that they realize the true cost of an "individualize health care market" they have a much different take on the matter.
To often the lack of health care access in America is argued by the left as a form of entitlement. It too often focuses on the poor and working class Americans who lack health care. In order to create a coalition big enough beat back opponents of reform, the professional class needs to be brought in. Lawyers, Doctors, Architect, small Engineering firms, all are small outfits of professionals who have experienced the true cost of health care. Let's not forget plumbers, electricians, and other tradesmen, who often time have worked, or explored working on their own.
The lack of affordable health care as a barrier to entrepreneurial endeavors, is an argument that could swing a few key GOP votes to get this pass. This is also the best defense for many blue dog democrats who are/will waffle on this issue.
Yes the poor and working class are important, but winning the middle class is the key to long term support for an issue. Remember social security has done more to alleviate poverty amongst the elderly then any other program. But FDR by making it available to all Americans regardless of income levels made it American most popular and politically popular program. This lesson shouldn't be forgotten by progressives as we push for health care reform.
* This is of course a take on William Kristol's (in)famous quote "a conservative is a liberal mugged by reality".