We are on the verge of seeing some history made today.

It's not single payer, there isn't even a public option, and it doesn't rank up there with Social Security or Medicare or the Civil Rights Act. But it will help millions of people who have no insurance and it will help secure access to affordable health care for all Americans going forward. And the first major health care reform in 30 years is also the first time Congress has stood up for the little guy v. insurance industry abuses. It may be a small step, but it's a step in the right direction.

Sadly, the "teabaggers" (with whom our Republican gubernatorial candidates align themselves) once again reveal a dark, ugly side of our society. You may recall this video, which Bill Maher showed on Real Time Friday night because you won't see it on Fox News. Then there's Glenn Beck comparing the bill to 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, with a chart showing how SDS and Che Guevara (no, seriously) are behind the socialist government takeover of health care.

And now there are reports of United States Congressmen being spat upon and called every dirty name in the book at our nation's Capitol, along with threats of gun violence in response to altering a health insurance company's medical loss ratios and rescission policies. This is the real "March Madness."

For a more positive message about "the better angels of our nature" (A. Lincoln) see Eirc Lykins' post just below this one. And tune in to CSPAN at 1PM to watch history in the making.