“This Is What Change Looks Like”

I spent most of Sunday afternoon watching a program that was as twisted as ABC’s “Lost,” as dramatic as Fox’s “24,” and sometimes as funny as a good episode of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.”

It was the U.S. House of Representatives debate over the health care reform bill on C-Span.

There was fighting. There was yelling. There were cheers and jeers. But in the nail-biting climax, H.R. 3962 passed 219 to 212 without a Republican voting for it. Moreover, 34 Democrats voted against it. But that’s OK. The beginning of health care reform passed with three votes to spare.

Presidents since Theodore Roosevelt have tried to reform health care in the United States. One of the most famous attempts was by President Bill “Big Dog” Clinton and then-First Lady (now Secretary of State) Hillary Rodham Clinton. Not one succeeded, even when they tried.

Until March 21, 2010. Somewhere President Barack Obama is saying with a smile to himself, “How ya like me now?”

As of this entry, the bill awaits President Obama’s signature.

But getting the bill to the President’s desk was a process that can be compared to making sausage – downright ugly. To get six conservative Democrats to approve the bill, Obama offered to issue an executive order clarifying the ban on federal funding of abortion. According to The Washington Post, Obama will issue the order after the bill is signed.

From what I’ve heard, the Democrats have offered various compromises to the Republicans to get health care reform passed. But there wasn’t a Republican who would support the bill, saying that it was “big government” and that it cost too much for taxpayers. The Los Angeles Times quoted Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-South Carolina) as saying, “This is the Civil Rights Act of the 21st century.”

The measure allocates about $1 trillion (Yes, that’s “trillion” with a “T.”) over the next decade to expanding insurance coverage, with major changes coming in 2014, The Post reported. Individuals will pay fines for refusing to buy insurance, and employers with more than 50 workers that do not provide coverage also face fines.

The smaller changes that will take place in six months include permitting adult children to stay on their parents’ policies until they turn 26, and children with medical conditions will not be denied coverage.

Unfortunately, this battle is not over. Republicans, stung by the Democratic victory, will take their case to the people during this election year. There may be Democratic representatives and senators who face losing their seats this fall. But I’ll still go to the polls supporting Senator Barbara Boxer and Rep. George Miller, D-Martinez.

When President Obama said, “This is what change looks like,” I thought, “This is the change I voted for. Get used to it!”

Writing Diva

The Academy Awards -- My "Super Bowl"

OK, it's been two months since I've posted an entry. I may discuss later why I haven't been writing.

Today's topic is what Joy Behar of ABC's "The View" described as "the gay Super Bowl" --the Academy Awards.

For me, the Oscars have been my big bowl game. As a movie buff and Oscar geek of my family, I look forward to this more than I do Christmas. The day after the Oscar announcements, I try to see every movie nominated for an Oscar. I haven't been as attentive this year, though. So far, I've seen "Precious," "Coraline," and "Julie and Julia," the latter I saw Friday night. (I give the movie a "B." I give best actress nominee Meryl Streep's performance an "A-."

I've been watching the Oscars for 40 years. (Again, I'm dating myself.) I fell head over heels for perennial best supporting/best leading actor nominee Al Pacino ("The Godfather," "Serpico," The Godfather Part II," and "Dog Day Afternoon," to name a few). Each time he was robbed, I tell ya, robbed! It wasn't until he won his best actor Oscar for "Scent of a Woman" that I was satisfied. I know it was more for his body of work than for that particular performance. Works for me, though.

Like life, the Oscars have had their ups and downs for me. I was thrilled when Louis Gossett Jr. became the first African-American actor to win best supporting actor for "An Officer and a Gentleman." I whooped and hollered when Whoopi Goldberg won best supporting actress for "Ghost," one of my favorite movies. The biggest night, though was when Halle Berry became the first African-American woman to win the best actress Oscar for her role in "Monster's Ball." Her win was quickly followed by Denzel Washington garnering his second Oscar, this time for best actor, for "Training Day." (He also won several years earlier for his supporting role in "Glory.") I was watching with two of my older sisters, and we gave a loud, collective "Whoa!"

On the other hand, I thought the great Ruby Dee was robbed of her supporting actress Oscar in 2007 for "American Gangster." Tilda Swinton came out of nowhere to win that year for "Michael Clayton." (And she wore a dress that looked like a dark plastic garbage bag. But I digress.) The year before Eddie Murphy was the front-runner going into the 2006 Oscars but was beaten by ... himself. He approved the release of the really bad movie "Norbit" weeks before the Oscar telecast. He lost to Alan Arkin for "Little Miss Sunshine."

This year, unless a tsunami washes away the Kodak Theater, Mo'Nique is a lock for best supporting actress for "Precious." (She was a monster in her role as Mary, Precious's mother.)
Christoph Waltz is expected to get his Oscar for best supporting actor for "Inglourious Basterds." (Correct spelling) Jeff Bridges may edge George Clooney as best actor for "Crazy Heart." But the real tossup will be for best actress between the aforementioned Streep and Sandra Bullock, who earned her first Oscar nomination for her role in "The Blind Side."

(Note: I'm typing with a cat [Diva] in my lap.)

Best picture is going to be a tossup, too, between "Avatar" and "The Hurt Locker."

Anyway, time for me to go to my sisters' and bug them to death about Oscar.

Writing Diva