How the Liebergrinch stole Healthcare Reform

Now Every Democrat down in the Senate liked healthcare reform a lot, but among the Democrats there was one who did not. The Liebergrinch hated healthcare reform - the whole Senate season. Now, please don't ask why; no one quite knows the reason. It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight. Or it could be that his head wasn't screwed on just right. But I think that the most likely reason of all may have been that his heart was two sizes too small.
 

For every ten years they took up the cause and the Liebergrinch knew what was in store. They'll debate and debate and there will be no TV for me and then I will be left behind with the Republicans and little to see. And the noise! The noise! But this year, I know just what I'll do. I'll filibuster just to show them a thing or two.  They think they will make a bill and we'll see about that...not with the Leibergrinch they wont and I'll stop them dead in their tracks.

So he stole down to the Senate floor and he went from one side of the aisle to the other. I'll take any chance they have at reform and shove it in the oven. And just when they think they might have a Republican or two, Why I'll convince them to vote with me and reform will go up the chimney and past the flu. They think they can leave the Liebergrinch,  but I'll show them and Aetna what I can do. For insurance pays the bills and I must not forget that, even if t shows I'm just a toothless old rat.

So that's what the Liebergrinch did. He talked and talked and talked all day. Some say it was the worst filibuster that way. The Liebergrinch kept  reform for himself because he had the Senate plan and everyone knew that was a small club with hardly anyone in it. He started with the phonebook and then went to the Bible and when that was finished he began to read Billy Idol.

And just when the Liebergrinch was about to carry the day, in came little Cindy Lou Who was no bigger than two. She had been brought by her mom who had to do something, for her children could not go to the doctor and had consumption. Why why Mr. Lieberginch wont' you let the children go to the doctor? And do you know that old Liebergrinch was so sly, he told her, why my dear of course you can to go the doctor, all you have to do is just pay the bill before you die. So he sent off little Cindy Lou Who with her milk and her mom and returned to the floor to finish his sonnet.

But when he began again they stopped him cold. For he had paused to speak to a child and lost his hold. So the Liebergrinch returned to his state where they held an election and told him he wasn't so great. And just when the Liebergrinch lay sick in his bed, a little girl came to visit him and thank him for what he did. And for the first time, although some say he didn't, the Liebergrinch smiled, and it wasn't just for penance.

And as the Liebergrinch lay there sick in his bed he thought again. Maybe healthcare reform isn't about a deficit or political agendas or insurance greed, maybe....maybe  healthcare reform really was for those in need.

Wiliam Hazelgrove writes in Ernest Hemingway's attic. His latest book is Rocket Man

http://www.billhazelgrove.com

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