Okay, so if anyone who reads my ramblings has any doubt at this time, I am — and most of my friends are — one of those left over liberals from the 1960′s. I don’t usually get openly political, especially when I am sharing my gratitude. But, today I have to be thankful for the smile Senator Al Franken provided yesterday.
Unless you live under a rock — or maybe in another country — you may not know that the U.S. is caught up in something called health care reform. It is a quagmire and starting to smell. By the time the finished bill is signed into law there probably won’t be much reform to it. But, during the past week many of us have been keeping up with the happenings on the Hill.
Senator Joe Lieberman — that’s Joe embracing John — held the Democrats hostage this week with his refusal to support the expansion of Medicare. Well, that wouldn’t have been so bad except ol’ Joe has talked about expanding Medicare for years — from the “pro” side of the issue. Now that the idea was introduced into health care reform, Joe decided it isn’t such a good idea. Truth is Joe probably just doesn’t want health care reform.
Well, the President called all the Democratic caucus over to the White House and invited Joe to come along. We don’t know what happened exactly, but we do know that when the group reappeared the public option and the expansion of Medicare were a thing of the past. And, none of us are too thankful for that.
But, anyway Joe must have been feeling his oats after the Dems and the President sold out on the idea of a public option and Medicare expansion. So, Joe headed back to the Capitol. The next day he decided to take to the Senate floor to expound on something. Well, he rambled on and on and when time was called Joe did what most of the senators often do. He asked for unanimous consent for him to have more time.
I don’t think I have ever heard anyone object although someone said there had been an objection earlier in the day. Most of the senators are either wandering around and not paying attention or maybe they are just being polite. Maybe I was wandering around when the the first senator was denied an extra minute. Who knows?
But, I have to say that I don’t know if I am more thankful for Senator Al Franken offering me — and others — a smile for the day or if I am more thankful for not having to listen to ol’ Joe ramble on and on and on and seeing the look on his face. It is a picture that is worth a thousand words — or more.
Just in case you missed it, watch the very short clip here :0
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I LOVE Al Franken! It’s a shame he can’t be from Louisiana! The hardest thing about being back in the states for those three weeks was watching the unending craziness and non-news that is made news ad nauseum! Glad you’re back Maya and look forward to reading as regularly as you feel like writing-Laury
Laury,
You hit the “non-news news” on the head. Our news has become entertainment for the most part. Luckily, with all the cable channels and the Internet, we always check our “news” against the news from UK, France, and Italy. Nice to get a different slant on things.
I am getting better day by day…. as you can tell… and no less opinionated. So sorry I was in the mental and physical fog when you were in the States. Somehow I missed your trip. So sorry.
No need to apologize Maya! Just happy to have to back and know that you are on the mend. I think you have at least a couple of worry warts in your pack of overalls pals!
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