I have read many diaries and comments to the tune of
Killing this bill takes health care reform off the table for at least another 15-20 years.
and
Watch when this bill fails. Then you will see a death spiral [for Democrats]. You may be too young but 1994 was beyond comprehension.
(For the record, I'm 50.)
Since these claims are being used as a club to beat into submission those who believe the flaws in the current bill outweigh its benefits (which may be 2/3 of the American public if the polls are correct), they deserve careful scrutiny.
I believe they represent a serious misreading of history, and I will try to explain why.