Representing a remarkable shift in public opinion, new polling data demonstrate that the majority of Americans do not want the liberal Democrat version of health care reform.

An Aug. 11 Rasmussen poll shows likely voters now oppose ObamaCare by 53 percent to 42 percent. That's a nine-point increase in opposition since late June and a four-point increase since Aug. 1.

Democrat leaders were unable to force a vote on the 1,000-page-plus bill before the summer recess. This allowed regular Americans to read House Resolution 3200 -- something many members of Congress likely haven't -- and many did not like what they found.

A Pennsylvania man who is both a marketing professional and a teacher stood up at a recent town hall meeting and told Sen. Arlen Specter that he was opposed to the provision requiring "advanced care" -- end-of-life counseling -- for everyone over 65. After referencing page 425 of the House bill, the man asked, "I'd like to hear your views on that issue."

Specter, the Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-Democrat who already had pledged support for ObamaCare, was forced to go on record as being opposed to mandatory counseling.

People across the country expressed similar concerns by standing up and questioning elected officials. A media storm erupted over the counseling provision.

Within days, senators of both parties were scrambling to say the provision would be removed from the Senate bill.

Other individuals voiced their concerns regarding the "public option." Citing pages 16 and following, informed citizens outlined how the bill would lead to a single-payer system.

Suddenly, there was word that the White House might abandon the "public option." A Rasmussen poll released Aug. 10 revealed that likely voters now oppose a single-payer system by 57 percent to 32 percent.

Some Democrat leaders are stating that "evil-mongers" and "K Street lobbyists" have scared us into opposing their plan with lies and half-truths. But with an informed citizenry quoting specific pages of the House bill, the majority of Americans see through these smears. Another recent poll found that 52 percent of Americans now sympathize with the "town hall protesters."

This is a very significant development in the way that policy is debated and shaped in America. It is the way that all legislation should be scrutinized in the future. Even President Obama has stated that proposed legislation should be posted on the Internet for at least five days before final votes in the House and Senate take place.

While the distributed power of the Internet is relatively new, this is the way forward. We must hold the president accountable for his words.

We must insist that all bills be posted online for everyone to see with plenty of time for the distributed intelligence of thousands or millions of Americans to read, analyze and react.

The result will be shorter, clearer bills with dramatically fewer earmarks and wasteful provisions for special interests.

The result will be much better public policy.

Glen Meakem was the founder, chairman and CEO of FreeMarkets Inc. He is co-founder and managing director of Meakem Becker Venture Capital in Pittsburgh.

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