Wait, so that was it? I expected fireworks, a parade, something to mark the occasion; but in an unceremonious act, the House of Representatives passed its version of the Health Care Reform Bill Saturday night, sans pomp or circumstance.

I blame my professors for the fact that this momentous event slipped right under my nose. In trying to equip me for the real world, I have become so bogged down with schoolwork that I missed one of the biggest context changing events in our world. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one. I performed an unofficial survey on Monday, asking students around campus what they thought of the Health Care Bill passing and was generally met with comments like, “It passed what?” Ouch. I doubt that was the response President O was looking for.

Barely slipping by in the House with a 220-215 passing vote, I questioned whether or not the bill has enough momentum to make it through the Senate. However, with celebrities—er, politicians — such as former President Clinton singing to the tune of quick action, it seems as though the altruistic camp has a decent chance of beating out the big, bad, fiscally stingy conservatives (or was it the big, bad fiscally reckless liberals)? It’s hard to follow who the villains are in this Made-for-TV production of Politics 101: Passing a Bill. The Democrats are certainly counting on their use of star power, and perhaps, a sense of moral obligation, to sway votes in their direction.

As the bill makes its way to the Senate, I have one little tip for the Dems. It is something I have learned after attending countless Organization Fairs, interest meetings and charity events: People will care about what you care about IF you give them something. In my case, it’s generally food. You want me to sign a petition? Let me see some Chick-Fil-A. You have a life-changing meeting you want me to attend? Not without some hors-d’oeuvres, my friend. The real issue on whether or not Harry Reid, Senator majority leader, can make good on his promise of a health care bill on President Obama’s desk by Christmas morn is less about the public option included in the bill and more about what tasty treat the conservatives prefer. Another tip for the liberals: Nothing too spicy. Most conservative WASPs were raised on a diet devoid of flavor. If the conservatives are anything like college students, and I suspect that they are with all their melodramatic outbursts (hello Joe Wilson of South Carolina), all they need is a full stomach to be appeased. If the liberals provide the means to that end, well, sir, I think we have ourselves some life-changing policy in the works.

The breaking of bread around the legislative table may be the only cure for this ailment of the reform debate. Throw in a few fireworks and we might just have utopia on our hands. I mean, who doesn’t love fireworks?

—Allena Berry is a sophomore in Peabody College. She can be reached at allena.g.berry@vanderbilt.edu.