Today's opinions and editorials

Passing Health Reform Could Be A Nightmare For Obama The Washington Post
We usually associate presidential leadership with the pursuit of goals that, though initially unpopular, serve America's long-term interests. Obama has reversed this (Robert Samuelson, 12/21).

The Honest Case For A Bungled Healthcare Reform The Financial Times
The truth is, it will create more problems than it solves. But the one big thing it gets right - the assurance of affordable health insurance for all Americans - is of surpassing importance (Clive Crook 12/20).

Change Nobody Believes In The Wall Street Journal
The rushed, secretive way that a bill this destructive and unpopular is being forced on the country shows that "reform" has devolved into the raw exercise of political power for the single purpose of permanently expanding the American entitlement state (12/20).

It's Time For Real Health Care Reform Politico
If Congress intends to mandate that every American have some kind of insurance coverage, we must provide Americans with attractive and competitive choices rather than leaving them at the mercy of an unreformed insurance industry (Rep. Raul Grijalva, 12/21).

Sound And Fury The Lincoln Journal Star
Yikes! Ben Nelson announces he'll vote for the Democratic health care reform bill and the place goes up for grabs (Don Walton, 12/20).

A Dangerous Dysfunction The New York Times
And the fact that it was such a close thing shows that the Senate — and, therefore, the U.S. government as a whole — has become ominously dysfunctional (Paul Krugman, 12/20).

Democrats' Real Battle Is Only Beginning Politico
Advice to Democrats: Brace yourselves for victory. Because if Congress passes health care reform, Democrats better be prepared to defend it (Bill Schneider, 12/21).

The Moment Ted Kennedy Would Not Want To Lose The Washington Post
My late husband, Ted Kennedy, was passionate about health-care reform. It was the cause of his life (Victoria Reggie Kennedy, 12/20).