Its ironic that in the wake of the death of the most liberal of senators, the Democratic leadership is channeling Ronald Reagan. They are out there saying, "lets go out and pass health care for Teddy, it was his dream.
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi vowed Wednesday to push through embattled health reform legislation this year following the death of Senator Ted Kennedy,who called the effort "the cause of my life".
"Ted Kennedy's dream of quality health care for all Americans will be made real this year because of his leadership and his inspiration," Pelosi said in a statement.
"We will achieve real health care reform thanks to the groundwork he laid," Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wis., said.
"His tireless efforts have brought us to the threshold of real health care reform," former President Clinton said.
"As we move forward with health reform legislation, his absence will be palpable," said House Majority Whip James Clyburn, D-S.C. "But let us use his inspirational words as our guide, to rise to our best ideals and finally provide decent quality health care to all Americans as a fundamental right, not a privilege."
"He fought to the very end for the cause of his life -- ensuring that all Americans have the health care they need," said Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn.
Kennedy’s passing, Al Franken said, “just makes me more determined to get it done.”
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid invoked Kennedy's own words, the "dream shall never die," in calling on colleagues to pick up where Kennedy left off.
"As we mourn his loss, we rededicate ourselves to the causes for which he so dutifully dedicated his life," he said. SourceUnder the health care plan with the public option that Teddy Kennedy was trying to push on the American people, most Americans would not have had the same level of treatment for brain cancer that the Senator did. Of course if you were like Kennedy and had enough money to pay for your own treatments, then you could receive comparable care.
This Saturday, President Obama will give the eulogy at Ted Kennedy's funeral, it is certain that within the flowery prose, the POTUS will urge the Congress to complete Kennedy's work, and go out and kill grandma for
1 comment:
It has been said too many times that he never lived up to his potential, that he will forever be overshadowed by his two brothers. I disagree. Given the limited time that fate would allow them, their legacies are decidedly eclipsed by their little brother's. As John Meacham said this morning on the Morning Joe program, "He certainly belongs in the company of Henry Clay and Daniel Webster." As legislators, Jack and Bobby aren't even in Teddy's league. It's not even close.
So many "red state Americans" who regarded him with suspicion if not outright hatred, will probably never even realize how much they owe Senator Kennedy. It's kind of sad that a lot of the people Kennedy worked the hardest for despised him with a passion born of decades of anti-Kennedy propaganda. Nothing was handier for a Republican running in a conservative district than the image of Bogeyman Ted in a campaign ad. It usually worked.
TEDDY KENNEDY'S GONNA GET'CHA IF YA DON'T WATCH OUT!
HE'S GONNA KILL GRANDMA!
I wonder how these people would react if tomorrow - just for a day, mind you - every law Teddy Kennedy is responsible for were made null and void. Call it a hunch but I have a strong feeling that more people than you might suspect are going to miss him now that he's gone.
Teddy, they hardly knew ye!
We're a better country because for seventy-seven years Teddy Kennedy walked amongst us. His impact on the country he loved so much will be felt for generations. The loss his passing means to progressive politics in the United States is incalculable. We need him at this moment in history more than we ever needed him before. It's so unspeakably sad. He's gone and he's not coming back. Now he belongs to the ages.
In the good old Irish Catholic tradition, tonight I'll be drinking a toast or two (or twelve) to you, Ted. Sleep well and thanks.
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
Goshen, NY
Post a Comment