"Really Ross, who cares about marginalizing Palin? She's already accomplished more in that arena to hurt herself by her own words and deeds than anyone could ever do to her."

That's what I would have thought, but we've seen this sort of thing before. And yet, I have seen Democrats hand wringing over her as if she were important. Ignoring her is a better solution.

Your point about legislation is what I was getting at. Democrats have enough votes to get reform legislation going. But they'd better be careful what they pass. As I said, public sentiment can change quickly even if only small parts of the public plan become a problem.

I'm surprised more small business Republicans (and there are a lot of them) haven't seized on the current cost issue as a driver for a public plan. Strictly according to the numbers, health care is a big problem for American businesses trying to remain competitive.

Personally, I'm all for rationing within a public plan. Pensioners are up in arms about losing flexibility, but these are the people who haven't ponied up enough in taxes to afford Cadillac care for the baby boom generation. Nor did they reproduce enough to replace themselves with enough of a tax base to do so. As a result . . . too bad. Anyone who wants more could still pay up into a private plan. I don't have a problem with those who can afford it paying for a higher standard. Isn't this how everything else works, from cars to hotels to houses?