Indiana

Plus ca Change, Plus C?est la Meme Chose

By Abdul Hakim-Shabazz

The above is French for “the more things change, the more they stay the same.”   That phrase has been on my mind a lot lately as I have monitored the health care reform debate.

As an observer of political events, I tend to chuckle somewhat slightly as political roles tend to reverse over time.

For example, some Democrats have labeled some of the protesters as “un-American” and “political terrorists” and of course Republicans cry outrage.

However, six years ago, Republicans accused Iraq war protesters of providing aide and comfort to the enemy.  And I don’t recall anyone yelling “read the bill” when the Patriot Act was passed, although nice chunks of it were later found to be unconstitutional.

Now of course, the posts and responses will start with how Iraq and health care are two totally different issues, please save it for someone who cares.

If you believe in liberty, freedom and free speech, then you have to believe it for everyone, regardless of the issue and not just when it’s convenient.

But then again, I of all people should know better that the truth is never the first casualty of political gamesmanship, consistency is.

Full post as published by Indiana Barrister on August 15, 2009 (boomark / email).