Roland Burris, Christmas poet.
With the health care bill passed, the senator from Illinois used floor time Tuesday to recite his own special version of Twas the Night Before Christmas.
And just in case you'd like to read along with Papa Burris:
Twas the night before Christmas
and all through the Senate
the Right held up our health care bill
no matter what was in it.
The people had voted
they mandated reform
but Republicans blew up
the gathering storm
"We'll clog up the Senate!"
they cried with a grin
"and in the midterm elections
we'll get voted in!"
They knew regular folks
needed help right this second
but fundraisers, lobbyists
and politics beckoned.
Try as they might
Democrats could not win
because their majority
was simply too thin
Then across every state
there rose such a clatter
the whole Senate rushed out
to see what was the matter
all sprang up from their desk
and ran from the floor
straight through the court room
and right out the door
and what in the world
could be quite so raucous
but a mandate for change
from the Democratic caucus
The president, the speaker
and of course leader Reid
had answered the call
in the hour of need
more rapid than eagles
the provisions they came
and they whistled and shouted
and called them by name
Better coverage, costs savings
a strong public plan
accountable options
we said "yes we can!"
"No exclusions or changes
for pre-existing conditions,
let's pass a bill
that restores competition!"
The Democrats all came together
to fight
for the American people
that Christmas Eve night
and then in a twinkle
heard under the dome
the roll call was closed
and it was time to go home
Despite the obstructionist
tactics of some
the filibuster had broken
the people had won
And a good bill was ready
for president Obama
to sign and end
health care drama
the Democrats explained
as they drove out of sight
better coverage for all
even our friends on the Right.
