I'm Just A Bill

The headline read "Single Payer Health Care Plan Dies In Senate." I looked across the table at Joe Lieberman, and I asked him why he couldn't have found another way to break the news to me.
"What do you mean?" asked the formerly Democratic Senator from Connecticut.
I told him I wish there was some way he could have drawn out the exchange. It just seemed so harsh. Maybe he could have told us about how it was still in committee. Then there was some nasty partisan nit-picking as amendments were added and taken away. As the days passed and the holidays approached, a spirit of goodwill began to permeate the hallways and offices of the Capitol. Senators who would ordinarily be at crossed swords came together and began to see a Single Payer Health Care Plan as the future for our country, not simply a political football to be kicked around the chamber. Impassioned speeches were given. Opinions were swayed. Grown men and women were seen weeping as others spoke of the challenge before their august body. The United States Senate had finally begun to see just how powerful bi[partisanship could truly be.
And then, just when all seemed to be going in the right direction, the question of funding became the central concern: How could we, as a nation, pay for all this? Would it be right to pass the cost on to the future generations who would benefit most readily from this new Single Payer Health Care Plan? Could this be done in good conscience? After a marathon filibuster by the last hard line supporters, a roll call vote was taken. One senator was wheeled in on a stretcher just to cast his vote. It was standing room only in the gallery as the results was read, and alas, Single Payer Health Care failed to pass by the slimmest of margins.
"Gee," said a shame-faced Joe Lieberman, "I guess that would have been a better way to break it to you."
Yes, that would have been a much nicer way to learn about it. Was there anything else you wanted to tell me, Senator?
"Well, your mom is still in committee..."