This grade counts.

Voices of independence are driving forces in American politics.

As the health care debate began over the summer, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office and their analyses of the costs of Obamacare helped drive public opinion.

Well, another voice has spoken up.

While this one doesn't carry the weight of the CBO, it is an important one. And one that should be better utilized by opposition to the government takeover of health care.

Jeffrey Flier, Dean of Harvard Medical School, speaking in the Wall Street Journal:

As the dean of Harvard Medical School I am frequently asked to comment on the health-reform debate. I'd give it a failing grade.

Instead of forthrightly dealing with the fundamental problems, discussion is dominated by rival factions struggling to enact or defeat President Barack Obama's agenda. The rhetoric on both sides is exaggerated and often deceptive. Those of us for whom the central issue is health—not politics—have been left in the lurch. And as controversy heads toward a conclusion in Washington, it appears that the people who favor the legislation are engaged in collective denial.

Ouch.