With passage of a Senate bill Saturday, Americans are almost certain to have a new sort of health care system beginning in 2010.

While there are good ideas in the plan, we still deeply doubt it will be a break-even proposition for the American taxpayer, let alone cut the deficit.

That will depend upon President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress making $400 billion in cuts to existing federal programs, like Medicare and Medicaid. And that will take a miracle, given the historic inability of Congress to cut such funding in the past.

Be that as it may, we are increasingly weary of two notions we see expressed more and more often.

First, the extreme frustration of some opponents who say they feel like they have had no voice in this process.

That’s nonsense. This country is awash in freedom of expression. We have so much freedom of expression it’s a wonder anything ever gets done.

Citizens can call or write to members of Congress, who also hold regular town meetings, hold hearings and appear in their districts.

They can write letters to the editor, comment online, set up e-mail distribution lists or even establish their own blogs or Web sites.

And, as we regularly see, almost anyone who is shouting and holding a sign can get the attention of a TV camera.

Ordinary Americans have more ways to express themselves than any other people in history, and more than the vast majority of people on this planet.

Then we have the blessing of the vote. The last time we voted, a majority of people voted to put Democrats in office.This sort of health care reform is exactly what that party promised during last year’s campaign.

Obama also promised to increase troop levels in Afghanistan, negotiate for climate change treaties and do a host of other things. That he is now doing them may anger some of us, but it should surprise no one.

Our system, while guaranteeing freedom of express, does not guarantee everyone gets his or her way. It’s always been a system of winners and losers.

Second, we’re also weary of the whining about bipartisanship and the notion that this health care bill has been crammed down the opposing party’s throat.

Conservatives — conservative Republicans and Democrats — have had a tremendous influence on shaping this bill. A public option was dropped. Medicare benefits for those between 55-64 were dropped. Abortion funding restrictions were added.

Like it or not — and many liberals do not — compromise is at the heart of our legislative system.

It’s a cliché, but making laws is about as pretty as making sausages. This process was about as ugly as they come and, as we’ve said, we have serious doubts about this bill.

But it is a textbook example of American political action — big, messy, loud and rancorous.