When the sunshine patriots are done wringing their hands and committing hari kari, the work of restoring and changing this nation will still remain for those with the strength of heart and hand.

I'm not interested in comments from the self-pitying Left, Center, Right, Liberal, Progressive, Moderate or Conservative. I am only interested in moving this country forward, whether we have just suffered a tragic blow to our hopes or not.

I, for one, am not done living in this country. Not now that Torture has been outlawed. Not now that Economic Armageddon has been narrowly averted. Not now that millions of Jobs have been saved from the bonfire of industrial collapse. Not now that millions are still unemployed and suffering so very much. And certainly not now that meaningful health care reforms beckon so close to the frail grasp of so many sick and uninsured of our fellow countrymen.

The work of rebuilding this nation remains for those who are clear of eye and unyielding in will.

This morning I called the office of the White House responsible for health care reform to say that the House must pass the Senate version of the health care bill now and fix its worst provisions later. Only then will this administration begin a record of major accomplishment and have the luxury of time to defend the reforms that will begin immediately. Only then will this govenment be able to turn its full attention to job creation and financial reform. I also called Speaker Pelosi's office and the offices of congressmen Steny Hoyer, Barney Frank, Lacy Clay and Russ Carnahan to deliver the same message.

I am not interested in post-mortems or reading leaves in the putrid wake of the Tea Party. I am not interested in assigning blame.

I am interested in progress, starting today. Call your congressman now and tell them to get health care done no matter what--or they will answer for a year lost to failure, enjoying the same reputation as Nero, who fiddled while Rome burned.