Generally speaking, three votes isn't the margin by which a massive transformation of the economy and society should be imposed by the central government.

But that's exactly what the House Democrats did tonight when they voted 220-215 to pass a bill they ill-comprehend, that would impose an authoritarian, $1.5 trillion plan to reorganize American's health care under the auspices of the oh-so-efficient federal government.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez voted "aye" on the Obama-Pelosi plan, continuing her lock-step support of every element of Obama's left-wing policy agenda. It would be refreshing if she would drop the charade, demonstrate some intellectual honesty and resign from the Blue Dog caucus, because there is nothing moderate or fiscally responsible about her.

The next battle ground in this war between liberty and collectivism will take place in the Senate. In the meantime, maybe Loretta will be willing to have a real town hall meeting in which she deals with her constituents face-to-face, rather than shielding herself with clergy or taking pre-screened questions in a tele-townhall. I would very much like to see her explain to her constituents why she voted to impose an individual federal mandate to purchase health insurance -- or else face civil and criminal penalties of up to $250,000 and 5 years in jail. I'm not holding my breath; Sanchez has shown no stomach for it.

That is an almost unprecedented federal lunge at controlling the lives of American citizens. The only real peacetime comparison is military conscription. It's astonishing, and it blows away the fiction that the American Left cares two whits about individual liberty. In a free country, if I don't want to buy something -- whether it's health insurance or something else -- I shouldn't have to. And I certainly shouldn't face fines and jail time for exercising that right. Unfortunately, Loretta Sanchez and her comrades on the Left have higher priorities than the liberties of their fellow citizens.

Personally, I think Loretta has signed her political death warrant, and none too soon. I hope the GOP can avoid a bloody primary fight that only helps this enabler of government paternalism. Assemblyman Van Tran has the best shot at taking her out, and maybe this appallingly anti-freedom vote will concentrate some minds on the bigger picture. I also hope the O.C. business community will swing into gear to help in the effort to oust Sanchez. I understand they will circle the wagons around Democratic state Sen. Lou Correa because he is the mule who carries their legislation in Sacramento. But Sanchez has been a very willing cog in the machinery of government gigantism President Obama is building -- and in her case defending individual liberty and free markets ought to transcend narrow self-interest.