A Christmas Carol

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. But no, its not likely that even the great man is going to be able to bring health care reform legislation to President Obamas desk by Christmas.

The man that history has picked to be Santa in this particular case doesnt look the part in any obvious way. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is a tall, thin Mormon from Nevada, not a stout ruddy deliveryman from north of the Arctic Circle.

But even if Reid was blessed with Santas perennially amazing ability to get ready in one months time span the wishes and desires of millions upon millions of fervent believers, he still would have a major problem and one that would stump even Santa himself: Reid has to deal with 99 other senators, each of whom thinks he or she should be the one delivering all those goodies, or else be the one who gets to decide whos naughty and therefore shouldnt receive anything at all.

And lets not forget that within the hallowed chamber of the Senate, like something out of a Dickensian nightmare, reside not one but a whole crowd of Ebenezer Scrooges whose response to Santas wanting to brighten the spirits of millions of uninsureds is a resounding Bah, humbug!

These Scrooges not only have the ability to drive an entire country full of poor Tiny Tims to distraction, but some are also actively plotting to tie Santa up in knots so badly that there is no chance whatsoever that he will be able to deliver the presents for which so many have been yearning for the last year, if not much, much longer.

The problem for Reid is that if he cant convince at least 60 of his fellow senators how important it is to get the raw material for the presents out of the storeroom and into the workshop, hes going to miss the very slim window of opportunity between Congresss Thanksgiving recess and its Christmas recess. In that case, hell never be able to deliver the package to President Obama in time for the holiday celebration.