Doug Holtz-Eakin, the former top health-care-reform advisor to John McCain during the presidential election is in an ironic position. After the election his job vanished, of course, and now his COBRA health coverage — for which he pays around $1000 a month — is about to expire. And an accident in 1990 left him with a damaged kidney, which means he has one of those pesky “preexisting conditions”. He jokes “My mother is deeply concerned that I don’t have a job.”

Of course, he doesn’t have to worry too much. Holtz-Eakin himself says “Let’s not whine too much about me. I’m a wealthy, affluent American in the big picture.” But an increasing number of Americans are finding themselves in similar situations, and they aren’t so well off. Is his experience giving him any empathy for those less fortunate?

Unfortunately, no. Holtz-Eakin says his conviction on the hot-button issue of health care is unchanged.

Sigh.