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| This Week's Commentary: | Volume VIII, Number 36 |
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House Passes Health Care Bill but Senate Can Still Sink It -- Saturday (or was it very early Sunday?), The House passed its version of the health care reform bill, which includes a public option as the government-run program is called, by a vote of 220-215. Some 39 Democrats voted against the legislation, while only one Republican broke ranks to vote for it, Joseph Cao of Louisiana. The victory was a bit too close for comfort for the Democratic leadership and the Obama White House. That said when it comes to legislation, the margin of victory doesn't matter much. Now, the Senate will dither through the end of the year, and this thing is not out of the woods yet.
[November 9]
Dodd Offers Financial Reform Bill -- In his role as chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) has spent several months in secret discussions and negotiations to come up with legislation on financial regulatory reform. Earlier today, he let the world in on his plans including the creation of a new super bank regulator, which he has dubbed the Financial Institutions Regulatory Administration [FIRA]. The fight that will follow will make the health care battle look like an ice cream social at a retirement home for Baptist preachers. [November 10] Canada's Liberasl Finish Third in Four By-Elections -- The Canadian Liberals have tried to unseat the minority Conservative government since September, but after finishing third in all four of yesterday's by-elections, they probably will take a break from trying to force the country to vote during the recession. The Conservatives gave the country a good dose of stimulus cash, and they appear to have been rewarded for it while the blame for the recession lies elsewhere in the minds of Canadian voters. [November11] "Sesame Street" Turns 40 -- The most popular educational kids show in the history of television turned 40 earlier this week. For four decades, "Sesame Street" has fought a rearguard action in the war against illiteracy and innumeracy. American kids' test scores have dropped in the last 40 years despite the best efforts of Bert, Ernie, Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. However, "Sesame Street" also taught something that maybe is more important than book learning. "Sesame Street" was the first truly integrated neighborhood most kids ever saw, and in the 140 countries where it's aired, that isn't a bad message. [November 12] Copyright 2009 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Fedora Linux.
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