JAMES CLYBURN: A LABOR OF LOVE (LEADERSHIP IN HEALTH CARE DEBATE)

I am a new resident of South Carolina. This past year the media had a field day reporting on the foibles of Gov. Mark Sanford, and the bizarre behavior of Congressman Joe Wilson. Remember Joe Wilson? He is the member of the U. S. House of Representatives who shouted "you lie" while President Obama addressed a joint session of Congress. This has not been a banner year of political news for South Carolinians. Now, at last comes a South Carolina leader whose words and actions offer a glimpse of inspiring leadership. Congressman James Clyburn called the passage of House Bill H.R.3590 - Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act "A giant step towards the establishment of a more perfect union." The legislation extends health care to tens of millions of uninsured Americans and cracks down on insurance company abuses, a climactic chapter in the century-long quest for near universal coverage. Clyburn is not a bleeding-heart liberal policymaker. He is interested in enlightened and principled reform of a health care system that does not serve Americans well. This is good news for the people of South Carolina where the disparity in access to quality health care is a scandal. Clyburn, through words and actions has shown that he is committed to health care for all, including the poorest residents of South Carolina and the nation.