*** For much of that time, of course, the executive and legislative branches have been under the control of Republicans, from whom little along these lines is to be expected, or have been under divided control, from which no significant action whatever is expected.  But remember that it was the Democrats who controlled Congress when the Clinton health care plan was introduced, and House liberal Democrats who not only did not pass Clinton’s proposal but were unable even to bring their own proposal to the floor for a vote.