The Massachusetts special election is today's battle in the long war over health care reform.
The authoritarian right that governs the Republican party sees the prospect of health care reform as a rupture with the old regime in which liberal movements are easily defeated. They will fight with all means at their disposal. In the Republican world view, the enactment of universal health insurance represents the overthrow of capitalism and will legitimize all sorts of government activism. It symbolizes British Labour and European social democracy.
Regardless of who wins the Massachusetts special election, I hope that the Obama administration loses all illusions about compromise with Republicans or Democratic allies of obstruction. For most of the twentieth century and the last decade as well, substantial majorities have indicated their support for health care reform in public opinion studies. We must recognize the character of the opposition and vindicate the democratic elements of the US political system and win reform this year!
The Brown campaign should not have been a surprise. Once again, conservative elites seek to take advantage of voter passivity, cynicism, and despair to build their power.