Harry and Louise (1992-2009)

In the early 1990s, then President Bill Clinton and his wife, Hillary, set out on a mission to gain affordable health care for all Americans. Just when it looked like victory was at hand, a series of commericals appeared depicting a thirty-something married, yuppie couple. Not one ever knew their true party affiliation, but it was clearly implied that they were conservative leaning. Those commericals put fear into the hearts and minds of Americans that the government was going to dictate what doctors they saw and what medicine they took. Adding to this was Hillary Clinton, standing in front of cameras showing all America the new health care card they would have if the bill passed. Well, the bill didn't pass and while Bill Clinton went on to do some good and not so good things for the rest of his presidency, losing the health care battle is one that still haunts them both.

Last week a big ruckus was made about awarding President Obama the Nobel Peace Prize. There are who claim that he hasn't done a thing to deserve the honor. Well today he took one major step that will become an avalanche in the years ahead. The Senate passed a health care bill that few would have ventured would be possible weeks ago. The lone Republican, Olympia Snow, listened to her conscience and voted for the measure, the lone Republican to do so.

Yes, the bill has a long ways to go before it hits the President's desk, but the glass ceiling has been broken. Yesterday the insurance made one last desperate attempt to derail the measure with their usual scare tactics, but this time it fell on deaf ears, except for the GOP. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) yet again became a unashamedly apologist for the insurance industry. One has to wonder who he truly represents, the people of his state or the corporate welfare minions sucking up cash at our expense.

The fact our President has gotten this far, further than any other before him is a victory in itself. And what of Harry and Louise? Well in 2009 neither one has health care, their yuppie jobs outsourced, they have to go without health insurance, like I have in the past.

You know what? I hope our socialist-commie President doesn't accomplish a thing!