This is why I laugh whenever we’re treated to the likes of Harry Reid telling us how Americans, apparently too ignorant at the moment to understand what’s best for themselves, will suddenly love the Senate healthcare reform legislation after its passage.

Mark Steyn highlights some of the craptastic measures in the bill:

We were told we had to do it because of the however many millions of uninsured, yet this bill will leave some 25 million Americans uninsured.

On the other hand, millions of young fit healthy Americans in their first jobs who currently take the entirely reasonable view that they do not require health insurance at this stage in their lives will be forced to pay for coverage they neither want nor need.

On the other other hand, those Americans who’ve done the boring responsible grown-up thing and have health plans Harry Reid determines to be excessively “generous” will be subject to punitive taxes up to 40 percent.

On the other other other hand, if you’re the member of a union which enjoys privileged relations with Commissar Reid you’ll be exempt from that 40 percent shakedown.

On the other other other other hand, if you’re already enjoying government health care, well, you’re 83 years old and, let’s face it, it’s hardly worth us giving you that surgery for the minimal contribution you make to society, so in the cause of extending government health care to millions of people who don’t currently get it we’re going to ration it for those currently entitled to it.

This bill is absolutely necessary to insure the uninsured in our society. Except that it leaves 25 million Americans uninsured at the end of the day.

We need to make sure Americans can afford health insurance without going broke. Except this legislation raises taxes on Americans who purchase higher quality plans and charges those who don’t want it for coverage they don’t want.

We need to increase competition in the health insurance market. So we’re going to remove your right to go directly to a company to purchase coverage, forcing you to go through an exchange or your employer.

We’re all about choice. But we’re going to mandate certain insurance plans to be sold and only allow you to purchase the type we, the government, approve of.

We’re leaving 25 million Americans uninsured and making the healthcare system worse for those who do end up with insurance, never mind the individuals who currently have their own health insurance.

All while increasing federal spending and gutting Medicare.

And this is the legislation Americans will soon fall in love with? Keep dreaming, Harry.