As the smoke settles from “the shot heard ’round the world,” I can only hope that our representatives in Congress have awoken to the new reality: If you try to pass legislation by deceitful means, your days are numbered.

It is laughable to think that anyone outside of the 58 (oops, I mean 57) Democrats of the Senate is telling us anything close to the truth. It is doublespeak and they know it deep down where they apparently fear to look.

Our senators, Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell, now have the unique opportunity to show their mettle. Put aside the rhetoric of Harry Reid and President Obama. You know that we need health care reform. I do not believe otherwise, but you know now that this bill is not the best that it could be. It is sloppy and tries to do too much. Just because you could does not mean you should.

Show the courage of your real conviction. Others would no doubt follow. No more closed-door deals. Let’s show it, warts and all, on C-SPAN. (Haven’t I heard that promise before? Hmmm.)

Can you hear me now!?

Bill Wilden

Gifford, Wash.