Change They Believe in -- But Won't Pay for

Family Research Council: Kimberly Strassel may have figured out why Senator Max Baucus's (D-Mont.) health care plan is so popular with his liberal colleagues. In a shocking column called "State of Personal Privilege ," the Wall Street Journal columnist uncovered the real story behind Baucus's proposal. According to Strassel, the bottom line is that these Senators are "all for imposing 'reform' on the nation, so long as it doesn't disadvantage their constituents."

Under the Finance Committee's "compromise," the state's Medicaid programs would be the main vehicle for covering the majority of uninsured Americans. But the biggest problem with this idea is the states, many of which are struggling to make their own budgets, would bear the brunt of the expansion with an extra $37 billion in costs. But here's the kicker: not every state would share in the burden. At least 17 would get a special break on the tax threshold and four would be exempt from footing the bill all together! Can you guess what these areas have in common? Most have Senators on the Finance Committee or in leadership roles. Nevada, Oregon, and Michigan have somehow managed to cut a deal so that the federal government covers their portion of the new Medicaid expenses over the next five years. Not surprisingly, they're represented by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Finance Committee Members Debbie Stabenow (Mich.) and Ron Wyden (Ore.). "I wonder how citizens in Wyoming, California, and Florida and other states will feel if they pay more in taxes so that [Harry Reid's state] can pay less..." said Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander (R), whose state wouldn't enjoy these perks.

Of course, this isn't the first time liberals have passed the buck on their own reform. The Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee made a point of excluding members of Congress from ObamaCare in its bill. This is especially interesting since President Obama made a point of telling voters, "If you don't have health insurance, you'll be able to get the same kind of health insurance that members of Congress give themselves." That is, until Congress decided that government-run health care isn't all it's cracked up to be.

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