My first adventure in blogging

I've decided to jump on the bandwagon that is blogging. As my plans for travel after graduation become more concrete, I've had friends ask how they can stay up to date on all of my adventures. My hope is that I'll update this blog instead of sending the dreaded mass emails. I want to get in the habit of writing before I go, thus you, the reader, will be subjected to updates for a couple of months before my travels.

I just returned from a weekend in Washington DC. I was excited for a chance to get away and see close friends. My roommate, Erika, was my partner in crime and after school on Friday, we were off! We arrived in DC around 9:30 on Friday night, and our lovely hosts for the weekend, Allison and Kelsey Cambronne, picked us up. It was my first time in DC as an adult, and I was beyond excited to see the sites and take in the city. Before Dad's passing, I had been seriously considering moving to DC after college and spending a couple of years in the political world out east. After landing and seeing the capitol from afar, I realized that I still wanted to be in DC. Little did I know that the rest of the weekend would turn into a big call to move and join the political process.

Early Saturday morning, Kelsey woke us up for our day downtown. Prior to leaving, I had read that the debate on healthcare would take place on Saturday in the House. I wanted to see it and witness the democratic process firsthand. I called Congressman Kind's office to see if we could get gallery tickets. We were told to stop by the office and grab passes before heading over to the House. When we stepped off the metro at the Capitol South stop, we were greeted by a large number of armed guards. Apparently, President Obama was meeting with the Democratic Caucus in the building right next to Congressman Kind's office. After walking all the way around, we finally passed through security into Longworth and found the office. We got the tour and were able to chat with the staff.

I wanted to see Congressman Obey's office, so I dragged Kelsey, Allison, and Erika next door. The staffer in the office offered to take us across the way to see Mr. Obey's "other" office. As the chair of Appropriations, Congressman Obey has an office in the Capitol. It was a gorgeous 65 degree day, so we spent some time on the balcony. The view is of the Mall and the Washington Monument. We had gotten special badges to bypass the normal visitor restrictions, so we followed our guide, Casey, all over. We also saw the conference room used for Appropriation committee meetings. It was absolutely wild! During our tour, a former collegue from Governor Doyle's office called. She now works for Speaker Pelosi and was able to meet us in the Gallery of the House. She took us over to the Speaker's gallery. The view of the floor was fabulous.

The debate over the healthcare bill was fantastic. While waiting in line, the four of us were talking about how the bill being debated was so important. Congressman Obey had shared a beautiful story at my dad's funeral that made my presence at Congress on Saturday so important. The congressman was in Amery for Fall Festival in September, and Dad had wheeled up to him and told him, "I am so excited that there is going to be a comprehensive healthcare bill passed in my lifetime". At the funeral, Obey said that while there hadn't been a healthcare bill passed in Dad's lifetime, there would be one soon. While in the gallery, I realized that being a witness to this bill's passing was one of the best ways I could honor my dad's memory. He believed in equal access to healthcare and in the fundamental principle of healthcare being a right, not a privilege. He and my mom were watching from heaven on SaturdayI sat listening to a representative speak about the need for healthcare reform. I'm not sure that there is a family that understands the need for reform more than my family. During my mom's entire illness, and up to the very end, we were fighting with health insurance companies over coverage. My mom was cheaper to them dead than she was alive. My dad faced mounting bills as his health failed. No insurance company would cover him, because his diabetes was labeled a preexisting condition. Without medicare, Dad would have been forced to decided between medication and his mortgage. A woman denied coverage because of previous breast cancer was the favorite example for the need for healthcare reform and the bill being presented. I started crying as I realized that I am that woman. I am 22 and will always have to fight the label of preexisting condition. Under the current system, I will be labeled high risk regardless of my current health status. The bill that passed Saturday night will allow me equal access to healthcare and coverage.

The other side of the aisle spoke of this being the wrong time to implement a bill of this magnitude. The cost was brought up multiple times. This would be a more viable argument if the Republicans hadn't been party to approving a costly war that is sucking more money that we even know. Instead of going into unneccessary military conflicts costing trillions, the money could have been spent on healthcare reform years ago. We listened for a while and were offered the opportunity to take a tour of the Speaker's office and see her balcony. The view was spectacular. It overlooked the mall head on and you could see clear down the mall. There was a perfect view of the Treasury, with the White House just behind it. We got to hear the story of Jackson demanding the new treasury building block his site of the Capitol and the congress. I loved touring the Capitol. It was a day of me geeking out and wanting nothing more than to move to DC.

We traveled outside the Capitol and witnessed a protest against the healthcare bill. The protestors could not formulate effective arguments against passing the bill. It was a lot of pictures with bloody fetuses and "Don't Tread on Me". Little do these people realize that government involvement would not be a bad thing, especially since it already takes place for police and fire. I had heard of a Badger bar being in the area, so we thought it would be an ideal place for a late lunch. The dove and hawk was great. Lots of college football and good pub food. The Badgers had beaten the Hoosiers, so Erika and I knew the rest of the day was going to be great.

We decided during lunch that instead of heading to Chinatown, we would go back to the Capitol to see more of the debate. We waited in line, and after an hour, made it back to the gallery. We sat silent watching as both parties debated what they viewed as the pros and cons of the bill. We left the Capitol around 7:30 and headed off to dinner. Our walk along Constitution was beautiful as we took in the sights of the city. We ate at Jaleo, a fabulous tapas restaurant. For after dinner drinks, we sought out the chocolate overload that is Co Co Sala. Everything on the menu has something to do with chocolate. The cocojitos are beyond delicious and the chocolate sampler was screaming to be shared. We took the metro back towards Chateau Cambronne.

Sunday morning welcomed a sunny adventure around the Mall. Erika and I packed up and got ready to go. The weather forecast was sunny with a high of 70. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. We began our trek at the Jefferson and walked around the Tidal Basin. I loved walking through the FDR monument, but was struck by the relevance of his quotes to today. We took lots of pictures and wandered towards Lincoln and past the reflecting pool. Our afternoon finished with ringing the doorbell at the White House and the Washington Monument. The flight was uneventful, and Erika and I slept most of the way.

I am so glad that I went away for the weekend. It was a small escape from the sadness, and I was truly happy to be in the center of US politics. I hope to make it out there very soon! Today is my reality check, and I will be attempting to get a head start on my papers. Only 41 days until graduation! I know it will fly by!