The political winds blow. The breezes ebb and flow around rumor, hyperbole, partial stories, the unnamed sources and the actual statements from Senators, Representatives, Advisers, The President, so-called journalists and actual journalists.
What to believe? Who to turn to in times of confusion and important policy making? Did that statement the President just made regarding the Public Option mean that we are sure to get one in the bill he signs? That is what one unnamed source said just minutes after the statement was made! Or, did the off the record quote from the Congressman from Arkansas hold more weight and the White House is still ready to throw the whole Public Option in the waste bin and work towards a plan that at least one or two Republicans can buy into?
Get out your crystal ball, your Ouija board and your deck of Tarot and follow me below.
You know what is staggering about this whole situation of WILL we get a Public Option in a bill the President will sign, or won't we? At this point in the game, we have no friggin' idea! Not a clue. NO, really.
We have been twisting and turning in the political wind that blows across the Beltway from one day to the next, wondering if that wind of change would blow OUR way or not.
It's insane.
Let me check my crystal ball. Well, today I see the face of Senator Reid saying he will go for it in the Senate and push the Public Option. WAIT! Reid faded and there was a staffer for Blanche Lincoln saying she couldn't vote for cloture on a bill that included a Public Option! Holy Hell, Politicalman! Which is it?
Breaking out the Ouija board, I concentrate on the idea of a Public Option and ask for the Yes/No answer. The stylus is slow to respond, but then finally heads directly for the NO. Dejected, I remove my hands from said stylus, and it jumps, ALL BY ITSELF to YES! Sweet! Maybe. I think.
OK, the Tarot cards. Shuffle and flip. Looks like a nice card, I'm taking that as a YES. Flip again. Rut Ro! That dude with the scythe looks ominious....
Seriously, everyone. The point here is for us to STOP twisting in the political Beltway wind and just get back to doing what is necessary.
Call and write the White House daily. Same with your Senators. Also your local House Representative. If you feel like calling ane writing other Senators and Reps, go for it. But at the minimum, get to the White House. Daily.
The President will hear us if we speak to him loudly and often enough.
I'm willing to put aside my superstitions and trust to policy knowing we all did our best and that best, knowing you all should be enough!