So it’s the Monday after Thanksgiving and I’m feeling full - of food, of love, and of energy to keep pushing forward on health care reform. Hopefully the Senate is too. Today’s floor debate was over two amendments (the first to expand preventative care for women and the second to reduce the proposed cuts to Medicare. As a side note, the latter proposal is another example of Republican fear mongering, supporting the propaganda that despite independent analysis, including that of the CBO, cutting Medicare would dramatically reduce care to seniors. In reality, reducing the cuts as the Republicans desire would only end up dramatically cutting the savings that Obama’s plan would produce.) 

Although some are still living in LaLa land and pretending as if there will be a bill ready to hit the President’s desk by Christmas (a complete denial of the fact that not only will Senate deliberation last weeks but that subsequent merger of the Senate and House bills will also take some time), most recognize that if all goes well the next 6-8 weeks are the home stretch of the fight for comprehensive health care reform.

I for one can’t wait. Not just because of the merits, but because frankly, Obama needs this win for public opinion. Sure, it will further energize and invigorate the conservative base, but it will also do the same for his progressive base that is hungry for clear, decisive victory on a key issue of Obama’s campaign.

Anyway, I’m off to finish writing my first piece for Harvard Business Review about Millennials.  So far its shaping up nicely and will be an entirely new audience for my work. Wish me luck and a cure for my inevitable writer’s block. After 5 days of loafing around and eating turkey (and washing it down w/ Dayquil), its time for me to get back to work. Here’s to Congress doing the same.