Great is the enemy of good

Adam Serwer looks at the history of progressive reform and reminds House Democrats that a less than perfect health care bill is better than no bill at all.

The point is that progressive policy initiatives often begin as narrowly as politically possible, but grow into being much more expansive and effective than their opponents ever wanted. The same is going to be true of health-care reform, if it passes, and particularly if Democrats follow Mark Schmitt's advice and use the reconciliation process in subsequent years to ensure inclusion of some of the more controversial elements of the plan. But none of this can happen if nothing passes -- and make no mistake, Republicans aren't trying to kill end of life counseling. They're not trying to kill the public plan. They're trying to kill reform itself, because they know that even if reform falls far short of liberal expectations today, someday it won't.

I am guessing that's the thinking at the White House as well.