I’ve read and heard several opinions about the health care reform effort here in the United States. This Congressional effort has clearly been derailed and will likely die. Many are disappointed by this, but I am not (but please read on).

The bills that passed through both Houses of Congress were vastly complex. There were over 1,000 pages in these bills, and many influential politicians had to be bribed into supporting it with sweetheart deals for their constituents. The public was barred from watching the discussions even after then-presidential candidate Barack Obama promised to air the process on C-SPAN several times (I saw the footage myself). This is the most damning: During the debates, I heard no backlash from health insurers. If these bills threatened this industry with its mighty lobby and nearly limitless marketing budget, then you would have heard and seen scare-tactics on primetime TV and on the sides of buses.

Scott Brown’s senate win in Massachusetts is an indicator not just of that state but of the country as a whole. Most people aren’t lemmings. Most people believe in ideology, not cults of personality. Most people don’t like shady backroom deals among politicians and powerful special interest groups to support a baffling health care reform bill that they refuse to explain in any meaningful way. Most people don’t like being led about like children or, worse, sheep.

I like our president. Obama is clearly a bright and intelligent man. He is new to national leadership, but that doesn’t make him weak or ineffective. I truly believe his ability to lead effectively is overwhelmed by the Democratic party’s influence and far-left agenda (public trials for terrorists, anyone?). If President Obama could assert his own ideals – the ones we heard on the campaign trail – America would get behind him like it did with Reagan in the 80s. Reagan did it with charisma and conviction. Obama has at least as much charisma, but his conviction is being stifled by his party. If he would stand up to his Democrat peers and lead from his own conviction, then he would become more influential than Reagan could have dreamed.

I would love to see effective health care reform, but a nanny-state is not the answer. America’s capitalist nature can’t accept government-run health care. I know that I cannot, even though I concede there are some compelling arguments.

My suggestion: Obama should allow insurers to easily operate across state lines. Open competition will drive down prices and increase services. If not immediately, then within a few years. And the public option wasn’t going to kick in until a few years, anyway. On top of that, regulators should not allow insurers to discriminate based on pre-existing conditions. Make those changes and assess the results before we bring politics into health care.

I mean, think about it. When the GOP becomes the dominant political force again, would you want planned parenthood to suddenly become unfunded?