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.

Message Loud and Clear

The President was in full lecture mode tonight, wasn't he? He scolded the Republicans, the Democrats AND the Supreme Court. He even tweaked the media pundits and their "sound bites". And, they all needed it.

Five times he referred to bills that had been passed by the House, and said nothing about the Senate. By his silence, he made his point about the Senate dragging its heels. I hope Harry Reid was taking notes.

I liked the speech. I can see where some in that chamber didn't. I doubt if he will see much change in those folks. But, I'll bet the President feels better. He seemed to enjoy it.

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The newly elected Governor of Virginia made the rebuttal speech. His problem was it's hard to rebut a speech you haven't heard.

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Our very own Blanche Lincoln, who purports to be a Democrat, held a news conference the other day to brag about the fact that she received $1.5 Million in the previous quarter. That was an "in your face" to those nine Republicans who are planning to run against her, and maybe a 10th in the person of Representative John Boozeman, who hopes to be movin' on up to the Senate.

She thanked the "people of Arkansas" who sent donations, but they were the wrong people to thank. She should have thanked the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. No matter how much she boasts about having $5 Million on hand, she could still lose. So, yesterday she announced that she would not vote yes on passing the healthcare bill by reconciliation. OK. Her vote isn't needed for that, anyway. Somehow, though, I don't think that will save her. She deserves to lose.

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Four Republicans broke into Mary Landrieu's office in Louisiana and got caught at it. They made up some cockamamie story about why they broke in, and I hope they realize that what they did was still illegal. If not, they're in for a big surprise.

Two of these guys were in on the "fake pimp" attack on ACORN, a Republican dirty trick that worked well enough to fool some of the people into thinking that ACORN wasn't to be trusted. In fact, I imagine some people still believe the story.

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John and Elizabeth Edwards are going to divorce. Maybe we can just shut up about them, now.

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The newest anxiously awaited Apple innovation has been introduced, and someone in the company should have had the foresight to realize that it shouldn't be called the I-Pad. Already people are tweeting, blogging, and referring to the product as a feminine product which I won't name. I will tell you that word is that the I-Pad will be sold in two sizes - Mini and Maxi.

Stay tuned.