Watching and Waiting

I realize I haven't said much about health care reform lately, and that was on purpose. I have been greatly amused by the waffling and posturing by the Democrats. What they are doing is trying to figure out how to pass their bill without losing all that lovely money from the health care industry. I think what they would really like is to pass a bill without anyone knowing about it. Then, in a few months someone could say, "Looky what I found in the archives! A health care bill!" Then, they could sit back and listen to the howling, moaning, screaming and threats from the Republicans, and the thundering applause from the rest of the country. After that, they could begin to build on that bill and, finally, have a bill that actually helps the people, instead of the lobbyists.

OK, OK, I have too much time on my hands, so I occasionally lapse into flights of fancy. I usually enjoy those flights, but this one has been a pretty bumpy ride. It has run the emotional gambit from excitement to disappointment to disgust and, finally, to my decision never to vote again.

I have been particularly disappointed in my state's senators and one particular congressman, to the point of letting the senators know, in no uncertain terms, that they needn't expect my vote the next time they're up for election. The congressman isn't from my district, but that doesn't mean that I can't urge his constituents to vote the b *****d out. The congressman from my district is a Republican, so he has never gotten my vote, anyway. All right. You don't have to remind me that I just declared, in the previous paragraph, that I would never vote again. Let's not nitpick.

Sen. Blanche Lincoln is fighting for her political life and, has suddenly realized that there is a big part of Arkansas north of Little Rock and has been seen all over the place up here lately. She has never had to worry about us before, because she was strong enough not to need us. So, she just always blew us off, turning down all invitations to campaign up here, and, therefore, neglecting to help any of our local candidates get elected. This has gone on throughout her career. Don't think we're not enjoying her discomfort this year.

Mark Pryor isn't up for re-election this year, but, I have to admit that I just don't know where he is coming from. I have to conclude that his father, David, didn't have much of an influence on him. Either that, or he never got over that phase we all go through in our teens when we do whatever we can to not be like dear old Dad or Mom. A case of arrested development, perhaps. Also, he has allowed himself to be influenced by that "C Street" group of lawmakers that purport to be "good Christians," while they say their prayers, accept Million$ from lobbyists and run around on their wives. So, he didn't get my vote in the last election and he won't get it when I don't vote in the next one. So there.

Anyway, be sure to watch President Obama's funfest on C-Span tomorrow, starting at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time. It should be a riot.

Stay tuned.