It’s nearly 11 o’clock as I begin to write this, and the Senate health care bill has just passed the House.
They are preparing to vote on the reconciliation package, so I decided to write while the House attends to some procedural matters.
It’s so exciting!
Today has been a TV + Twitter day. I’ve only been on Twitter since January 30TH, so I think that I’m still a Twitter newbie. The experience of watching the members of Congress compress their final thoughts on health care legislation into 30, 60, or 90 second snippets was must watch TV. When combined with the goings on of the Twitterverse, it became one heck of an experience.
You see, there are many clever people on Twitter, and I’m not just talking about the people who I follow or the ones who follow me. Searching and using hash tags, like #hcr for comments related to health care reform, allows you to see the debate that regular folks are having in real time. And you can join in whenever you choose to contribute. It’s way cool.
This was the most fun that I’ve had on Twitter since I started.
One observation that I take from this experience is that the candor of those who Tweet far exceeds that which was on display during the House debates.
Time out
11:32 – HR-4872, the reconciliation bill just passed.
Time in
During the evening, I added a few Tweets of my own to the mix:
“Some callers on C-Span, I feel sorry for them. They believe the disinformation, so they are promoting votes against their own self-interest.”
“Shouldn’t a party that refutes their moniker of “The Party of No” say something other than “No” during this final House debate?”
“And there you have it from the final two speakers. The difference between the parties. Hope, help & opportunity vs. fear, gloom & doom. #HCR”
I received some feedback and made a few new Twitter buddies, so it was a good evening.
I made new connections and watched Congress make America better for all.
Now, it’s time to listen to the President’s recap.
Yes, it has been a very good evening.
Ray } – 
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
As someone with children with chronic illnesses, I am happy today. What we have is not perfect, what we have may not be a good fit for everyone. But at least we’re doing something and not being frozen by fear. Supposedly, everyone can agree that healthcare is broken. This may not be the solution, but it breaks the barrier and allows us to work towards the solution.
Don’t worry about the finish line … I’m proud our congress has pulled their collective heads out and crossed the STARTING line!
I’m delighted that the outcome of last night’s vote made you happy, Doug. Many, including myself, are similarly pleased this morning. Clearly, it isn’t the perfect bill, but the notion that some have adopted that the only way to make an imperfect bill better is to scrap it and start over is nonsensical to me. Fear has long been used as a means to an end by some politicians, and I’m glad that enough of the representatives were able to overcome the hysteria and dire warnings to see this thing through.
Crossed the starting line. I like it. That’s a very good way to view last night’s result.
Ray