While leaders on the other side of the fence scrambled to whip support for the American Health Care Act, an early spring wind whipped the signs of protesters gathered outside the White House on Thursday afternoon. Launching into a rendition of “We Shall Overcome” somewhat muted by the breeze, these demonstrators gave the iconic anthem a modern update.
After singing the traditional “We shall all be free” lyric, protesters shifted to a new verse. “We shall have healthcare,” they sang. “We shall have healthcare, someday.”
This, of course, without showing any awareness of the fundamental tension between those two verses.
When members of the Civil Rights movement sang “We shall all be free” in the 1960’s, from the streets of Selma to the National Mall, they were protesting for actual freedom. Now, activists who sing the verse are protesting to preserve a piece of legislation that strips them of their freedom.
Not only did the Affordable Care Act mandate all Americans purchase health insurance, revoking their freedom to decide for themselves, it compelled the government to penalize them for declining coverage.
It is the very antithesis of freedom.
Nevertheless, before perverting a Civil Rights anthem, the activists outside the White House, mobilized by a coalition of progressive groups, chanted together, “What side are you on, my people? What side are you on?”
“The freedom side!” they declared in response.
Clearly, it is time for liberals to reevaluate their answer to that question.
Emily Jashinsky is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
