Now that the health reform bill has been signed into law by Barack Obama yesterday it can truly be said that it was not premature to say 'Camelot regained' all those months ago. As well as providing near universal health care, it makes a big inroad into the deficit of the USA. It may cost $940 billion but over twenty years it will save $1.3 trillion. $350 billion is not to be sniffed at. Without this, trying to keep America's finances in order would be impossible, like shifting sands in a desert. In terms of its main provisions, it's disappointing that its not got the public option (federal insurance) that would have forced insurance companies to keep their prices low for customers, but half a loaf is better than no loaf at all. Liberal extremists have refused to compromise for several decades over elecotral reform and so the system is as bad as ever, whereas a few half loaves over the years would have produced more than the sum of a single bill and formed a good body of law. So we should be grateful that there is something momentous on the statute books. Furthermore, there is always hope that in the future it can be built upon - though not in this presidency, for it is a landmark in itself.