Is it just me or did Harry Reid just get a bit mischievous on the opposition?

I mean, sure, the Democrats will all wrinkle their brows over how this isn't what they really wanted... and it does kind of suck that some states might actually get screwed out of real health care reform (for now, at least), but isn't it rather brilliant, too?

(It's just the crappy states anyway, riight?)

On the one hand it looks like the Dems are caving into pressure from many sides: states right's fanatics (tenth-ers), conservatives, anti-Obama-ites. The right can claim victory, opt-out, and say that they now have an objective way to measure the failure of "socialized medicine."

Sure, enjoy that.

Because we ALL know that huge monopolies that are barely regulated will provide better and more affordable care than ones that are forced to compete with a Medicare-style program you can opt INTO. If your state's leadership is Communist, I mean...

So when you talk to your friend in Florida (a slightly less crappy state) and they are waiting six years to see a doctor because they have Stalin as governor, you can gloat about how wonderful it is to be able to sell your home to afford the most exclusive and costly plans IN THE WORLD!!

I say we keep on our poker faces.

I mean, it's ALMOST worked with abstinence education. If Bristol Palin knows it doesn't work, word's gotten around, trust me on that.

Sure we had to wait until every teen in Texas had herpes and a few abortions, but HEY... we DID tell you before.

Maybe experience is a better teacher.

Sure, saying the words "abstinence education works" sounds a LOT better than saying "we have the worst sexual health outcomes of ANY state" ... I understand. So let's keep up that energy.

"We said no to Obamacare" sounds WAY better than:

"I lost the last election and our state (still) has one of the worst health care systems in the COUNTRY... how the hell did our people FIND OUT? I assumed they were STUPID! God I wish it was still 1993..."

Teen herpes we can live with...

But, heh, yeah... OPT OUT. Let's get a real referendum on what actually works. And let's see how long your people put up with being second rate citizens over YOUR failure to represent them properly. Maybe they will finally get sick of being one of the crappy states and will DEMAND non-crappy leadership. Or maybe they will just get sick.

Reid set up a political bear trap (the kind covered with sticks) and you are too dumb to see it. There's a nice fresh pot of honey on the other side for you... come and get it!

By all means, save us some tax dollars. We TRIED to cover everyone but you OUTSMARTED US. You've earned the right to opt out. YOU WON. Congratulations!

Shhhh.