“How can anyone be against health insurance for children? That’s the reductionist and nakedly political spin being put on this fight by Democrats. And the bill has plenty of backing from nervous Republicans in Congress facing re-election in swing states and districts next year. They understand how this issue can be melted down to a devastating sound bite. The only countervailing sound bite — that this is a step toward government-run or socialized medical care — sounds like a tepid response, however true it is. The reasons for opposing this expansion of the program … can’t be boiled down to a 15-second television commercial. But they are valid criticisms, so let’s take a look at some of them.” (09/30/07)