What we will be left with ultimately will be a consolidation of the House and Senate bills. I'm hoping the final product is closer to the House bill. As the process continues, we progressives are putting pressure on our congressmen to drop things we don't agree with like mandates, Cadillac taxes, etc etc.

Jimmy, what are you reading about the "buying of Nelson" etc?

As far as transparency in the process and televising the negotiations... it seems to me:

1.) It would probably be very boring and few of those who are calling for it to be televised would actually watch.

2.) The concessions made for televising the sessions (having to mic everyone up, having to speak one at a time, etc etc) would only slow the process.

3.) It seems that even though these negotiations aren't televised that news about what goes on is still getting out. You guys seem to have enough to bitch about, right?