No, Mr. President. That's no "Change".

That's just offering up millions of healthy new consumers to the insurance and pharmaceutical companies, forcing us to buy products we don't use in order to subsidize the failing business plans of those in-trouble industries...

Thanks for taking away more of my individual choices though, to bail out your big bucks buddies.

In the meantime-- when you really could have pushed for changes that matter for people on the ground? -- here's what you're afraid to touch: the Change you're content to put off until another day...

A pair of Iraq war veterans who were dismissed, or soon will be, from the military under the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy, were arrested by police officers today after chaining themselves to the front gate of the White House, as part of a protest of that policy.

The pair were identified as Lt. Dan Choi, and former Army Capt. James Pietrangelo, whose appeal of his dismissal was turned down by the Supreme Court last year.

The U.S. Park Police said that the two individuals will be charged with failure to obey a lawful order.

Some 150 protesters were also in front of the White House, chanting "Hey hey ho ho 'don't ask, don't tell' has got to go," which attracted about 30 Washington police officers who lined up in a show of force.

Alexander Nicholson, executive director of advocacy group Servicemembers United, said the White House can and should do more to push for repeal of "don't ask, don't tell."

"It is significant to know that there are a few more things they can do to make sure that we see full legislative repeal in 2010 instead of risking, waiting until after the midterms," Nicholson told ABC News at the White House protest.

It's not just about Congress, but also the commander in chief," said John Aravosis, a Washington, D.C.-based gay rights activist who writes AMERICAblog. "People think they're moving ahead [with repealing the ban]. It's not moving ahead at all. We may lose the house in November."

and...

Israel will not restrict construction in east Jerusalem, Israel's prime minister said Sunday hours before he left for Washington, despite a clear U.S. demand that building there must stop and a crisis in relations between the two longtime allies.

Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting with President Barack Obama Tuesday will be the first high-level meeting since the crisis erupted 10 days ago, when Israel embarrassed visiting Vice President Joe Biden by announcing a plan for construction in a Jewish neighborhood in east Jerusalem, which is claimed by the Palestinians.

"As far as we are concerned, building in Jerusalem is like building in Tel Aviv" and there would be no restrictions, Netanyahu told his Cabinet.

Don't let all that champagne celebrating go to your head now, Mr. President. The industry swells and non-profits might be used to all that prescription partying, but you were in the Change game on principle, right? Well as one of those individuals whose choices were sold out in the name of subsidizing the elective procedures of others in the private insurance pool, thanks for ... nothing.

But enjoy your artificial advantages, Mr. President, while you're the Big Cheese choosing up winners and losers and all. Something tells me though, you're paying more on principle than you've been led to believe.

But surely those newly energized industries will take good care of you and the party's political fortunes for years and years to come; you're covered now, so what's to worry?

PS. You betcha I'm bitter... but independent, not the clingy type.