Ted Kennedy's Life is Living Proof of Liberal Ideal that Government Can Help Make People's Lives Better
So many words have already been written about Ted Kennedy in the few days since his death -- some profound, many filled with cliché -- that despite my sadness at his passing, I initially saw no need to add my own.
But as I've watched and read, one observation crystallized in my mind that seems worth articulating through the clutter.
It's true that Ted Kennedy could be a great orator, articulating with passion and eloquence the heart of the liberal ideal, as he did in his 1980 Democratic Convention concession speech and again at the 2008 Democratic Convention in support of Barack Obama.
But it's not primarily Senator Kennedy's words that make him one of the great defenders of modern liberalism. His life itself is living proof of the central liberal idea that government can help make people's lives better. The government action that has resulted from legislation he has championed has concretely improved the lives of tens of millions of people in America and around the world.
He accomplished much of this during an increasingly conservative era during which politicians and media figures denigrated the role of government and worshiped at the altar of the so-called "free" market. In his first Inaugural Address in 1981, President Reagan proclaimed, "Government is not the solution to our problems. Government is the problem." After 15 years of conservative propaganda, the refrain was taken up by many so-called New Democrats, most famously by Bill Clinton in his 1996 State of the Union address in which he proclaimed, "The era of big government is over".
Ted Kennedy almost certainly disagreed (and this disagreement with Bill Clinton's easy acquiescence to conservative rhetoric may have been part of what influenced him to support Barack Obama instead of Hillary Clinton for the nomination). Kennedy was likely influenced by liberal thinkers like John Kenneth Galbraith (an advisor to his brother JFK) who argued that it was necessary for government regulation, trade unions, and consumer organizations to form a countervailing power against the monopolist power of big business. Sen. Kennedy's life as a legislator encapsulated this fundamental liberal idea (although he wasn't doctrinaire about it either; he also championed the deregulation of the airline and trucking industries). In hundreds of pieces of legislation that he championed, he used the power of the government to offset the power of big business and to concretely help working and middle class people in American and around the world.
A synopsis of Sen. Kennedy's legislative achievements runs 54-pages long. During his 47-year Senate career, he authored more than 2500 bills, hundreds of which became law. Some highlights:
- The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made segregation in public facilities illegal, was proposed by JFK and championed after his death by Lyndon Johnson. The bill was filibustered for 57-days by southern segregationists in the Senate. Still recovering from serious injuries sustained in a devastating plane crash, Ted Kennedy returned to the Senate floor to give an impassioned speech which helped break the filibuster and lead to the bill's passage.
- In 1970, Ted Kennedy led the fight for the Voting Rights Extension Act which lowered the voting age to 18.
- Kennedy championed the successful floor fight to pass the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 which abolished the quota system limiting immigration from Asia. The results literally changed the demographic make-up of America. Millions of Asian-Americans who contribute so much to our economy and our educational system literally wouldn't be here without Sen. Kennedy's efforts.
- Kennedy co-sponsored the National Cancer Act which established a federal cancer research program and quadrupled the amount spent on cancer research.
- Kennedy played a key role in passing Title IX, requiring colleges to provide equal funding for men's and women's sports. Without it, hundreds of thousands of female athletes would never have had the opportunities which they achieved.
- In 1986 Sen. Kennedy led the bipartisan fight in Congress which overrode President Reagan's veto of economic sanctions against the apartheid government of South Africa. The resulting economic isolation helped pressure white South Africans into accepting that the days of apartheid were numbered, and along with the resistance of black South Africans, helped bring about the release a few years later of Nelson Mandela and the advent of majority rule.
• Kennedy was instrumental in passing the Americans with Disabilities Act which prohibited workplace discrimination against and required public accommodations for disabled Americans, making it possible for innumerable disabled Americans to live better and fuller lives.
- Sen. Kennedy co-sponsored the Family and Medical Leave Act which required business to provide unpaid leave for family emergencies and the birth of a child.
- Sen. Kennedy co-sponsored the COBRA act, which allows employees to keep their health insurance after losing their jobs.
- Kennedy led the fight to raise the minimum wage from4.25 to5.15 an hour in 1996, and again in 2007 led the fight to increase it to7.25.
- Kennedy was a leader in the fight to establish the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) which today insures over 10 million children.
In these and countless other measures, Ted Kennedy helped mobilize the power of the government to offset the power of big business and to improve the lives of millions. Even among conservatives who falsely rail against a "government takeover of health care," how many would argue for repealing such government actions that Ted Kennedy helped achieve? After decades of the very word "liberal" being turned into an insult by the right-wing, Ted Kennedy's life itself is living proof of the power of the liberal ideal.
Rick Horowitz: Kennedy: The Lion at Rest
Senator Edward M. Kennedy, dead at 77 -- and thank goodness for that. None of his three brothers -- his three older brothers -- made it to 70. Or 60. Or even 50.
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While it is undeniable to say that the government will not always be a solution to our problems, the government can help us. It has helped so many Americans, through the post office, food stamps, and unemployment and social security benefits. Ted Kennedy knew this, and sought to lend a hand to every citizen in this nation, and to make sure everyone had a fair shake. For this, Senator Kennedy, you will always be remeber, honored, and loved.
And on a side note, does anyone else find it apalling that Reagan would veto a bill that would help end the racial segregation known as apartheid? I get your a free marketeer, but at a certain point idealogy needs to be thrown away in favor of common sense.
You make good points but sadly, you've had thirty years of endless anti-government rhetoric and historical revisionism to train Americans to hate the very idea of government. It's going to take at least that long to bring the debate back to anything approaching middle ground.
If we've collectively recognized anything from the funeral services this week-end it is that at the end of the day....we're all dead. If you've stood for something that matters, though, and made a contribution, you'll have a much better funeral.
I hope consideration of their own mortality motivates our esteemed representativess in Congress.
Sen. Edward Kennedy was not just one of the greatest legislatures we have ever had, but was also a man whose compassion did not end with assuming the role of the father figure for his slain brother’s children. He was also the voice for the man and woman on the street. He was the defender of those who would be bullied by the American system. He was a man who would stand up against the political and powerful elites within our society, in protection of the downtrodden and unrecognized among us all.
Among all of the massive amounts of things he has done for the American people, his one true mission in life was to bring to the American people a healthcare system that would not allow his fellow citizens to suffer based on financial need or position. He fought this fight all his life, and has always held it to be his mantle of community service.
To now suggest, as the GOP has, that the mission of this man’s life be put aside for any reason, is not just an inane suggestion, it is purely selfish. For a man who cared for all Americans without deference, and did so much for so many, you and I both know that he would be the first to say, “Use my death to further the cause. Use my death to bring the dream to fruition.”
To never let the ideals of doing for others, having compassion for your fellow human, and doing all you can to make another’s life just a little better, is not just a Democrat ideal or a Republican ideal, it is the ideal of the United States of America.
This is now the time for all Americans to come together under the banner of Teddy Kennedy and his mission, and bring to the American people a healthcare system that will provide for all Americans, the healthcare that the citizens of a civilized nation deserve.
Everytime the Democrats abandon their Progressive ideals/roots, they lose.
Dr. Howard Dean keeps trying to remind his party NOT to do this -- to get behind the PO and get it passed, instead of coddling the weepublicans who have zero interest in passing legislation that will "harm" their corporate masters.
Teddy was right in 1980 -- the party shifted to the right under Carter, and look what happened . . . the weepublicans won with St. Ronnie . . . and there went the good-paying jobs, one by one.
Oh, yes!
"Liberal Ideal that Government Can Help Make People's Lives Better" misses the point that govt in and of itself is a liberal ideal: people banding together for the common good.
While power has been misused, mostly it hasn't. And people who hate govt actually hate other people and can't stand the idea that they may have to do something for someone else.
I've never met a liberal that was an SOB, and I've never met a conservative that wasn't.
Then you need to look in a mirror more often. It's liberals who want to control every aspect of everyone's lives. What happened to NOW and their "Stay out of our wombs" mantra? Governments are inherently evil and must be kept in check. Unless of course one believes in fascism, then they want big big governments.
...if by a liberal they mean someone who looks ahead and not behind, someone who welcomes new ideas without rigid reactions, someone who cares about the welfare of the people - their health, their housing, their schools, their jobs, their civil rights, their civil liberties..if that is what they mean by a "liberal" then I am proud to be a liberal.
----John F Kennedy
Sorry, but you are misinformed. Conservatism is a dead end. It is politically nonfunctional, economically unsustainable and philosophically hypocriticial.
That's why Republicans were landslided in 2006 and 2008. Americans want a government that works. Conservatives can't govern because Conservatism itself is not a coherent or functional political philosophy.
That's why "Small government" Bush expanded the size of government 60% in only 8 years and awarded $700 Billion in taxpayer money to Wall Street thieves to prop up the illusion of Capitalism and raise taxes down the road. Crony Capitalist Conservatism is unsustainable without bailouts, loan forgiveness and sweetheart tax breaks for businsesses that offshore work.
I noticed that anti-freedom Conservatives want to interfere and meddle in the private affairs of women's health care choices-not for the sake of the unborn-but to treat women as 2nd class citizens. Conservatives also meddled in the private medical affairs of Terry Shiavo to injure family rights and violate family privacy.
Under Bush's illegal wire tapping program Conservative 'Voyeurs" pried into the private business of innocent American citizens to injure their civil rights and violate the 4th amendment of our Constitution. Of course Bush lied about this publicly as he has no respect for Americans citizens.
Let's not forget that even Republican leaders know the sham Conservatism is and have come in droves to heap priase and honor on Sen. Kennedy because of his Liberal accomplishments.
Stop using words you do not understand. "Fascist" does not mean what you think it does.
It is interesting to me that the people espousing hate for the government aim their anger at their fellow citizens.
I agree wholeheartedly with your last line. Conservatives are the most bombastic, angry, willing to shout you down, weapon brandishing bunch I know. I have never known a liberal like that. You know a conservative when you meet one. They immediately talk politics, Christ and their values, and whine about the government. Even if you just met in line at the grocery store. Maybe it is because they are so "God fearing." They are certainly scared of something.
Well said.
I also love the rich hypocracy of how Conservatives are worshipful of Reagan who quipped: 'Government is the problem' and went on to ruin the economy with 2 recessions, taught the terrorists winning tactics in 1983 in Beirut, used our government to illegally trade arms with Iran to kill freedom fighters and crush democracy in central America in the Iran/Contra scandal and had the most corruption in office in history.
Those who despise government and belittle public service are philosophically ill-equipped to become leaders or manage our nation. Most people are coming to understand that government bashers seeking office are nothing more than naked hypocrites grasping for power and personal gain at public expense.
Would anyone hire a plumber who constantly complained about houses and buildings with plumbing and it should just be torn out?
Would anyone trust an auto mechanic who said he hated cars and complained about working on them?
Would any patient awaiting surgery be comforted by hearing a surgeon moan and groan how bad the human body is and its problems?
Those who fundamentally hate government and see it as a problem are philosophically unprepared to lead any government and at best can only hobble, corrupt, and mismange public affairs. America has been injured from the failures of Conservatism reified through the magnificent incompetence, gross failures and economic recessions created by every Republican president from Nixon, to Reagan to George Bush I and II.
"...people who hate govt actually hate other people and can't stand the idea that they may have to do something for someone else."
I think you've hit upon the perfect definition of a conservative.
Democrats can and should increase their numbers and power by doing the following:
*Ram through Single Payer 100% Socialized Medicine
*Launch and embloden Eric Holder to investigate the serial war crimes and Constitutional violations of the Bush/Cheney corp AND put them in jail if found guilty.
*Dissolve and expropriate Blackwater-an illegal private mercenary crusader's army of George Bush-that siphons billions in taxpayer funds to commit war crimes overseas as it bolsters terrorism, yet is unconstitutional and unaccountable to Congress
*Abolish the WTO/NAFTA/CAFTA and other secret authoritarian trade agreements that put Americans last.
*Impose a 100% tax on incomes of elites earning above $1 million annually. 100% tax on estates in excess of $5 million to balance the budget, reduce the deficit, and recover money illicitly gained through public wealth transfers to unworthy elites via the Reagan/Bush tax cuts for billionaires.
*reveal the names if all those millionaire and billionaire tax cheats who have parked billions in secret Swiss bank UBS to evade taxes and ride for free while the middle class has to cover the shortfall.
*Regulate College costs. In Europe you can get a B.S. for about $4000. Here in the states its $100+K even though colleges/universities have tax-exempt status.
You could collect 100% of EVERYONE's income and still not make a dent in out deficit, much less our debt. You really need to see a shrink as you are totally hysterical. Why are colleges/universities here so expensive? Government interference.
Did you attend?
Kennedy was a fantastic fighter and great Liberal. Notice that Republicans flock to him now and praise him with respect because he called their bluffs, was tough and genuine and effective.
One of the great lessons Ted gave the Democratic Partry is to have a spine and not be an apologetic liberal. Most have not heeded that lesson and are forever accomodating, apologizing, seeking approval and knuckling under to the the birthers, deathers and zealots of the failed reigion of Conservatism who have nothing positive to offer our nation.
Democrats can and should increase their numbers in the 2010 election but they must be tough. No compromise. No weakness to the stealth Republicans (a.k.a Blue Dogs). The Democratic Party shold get its house in order and lead powerfully and confidently.
Very inspiring. Thank you for making this important point. Your reply to the poster who thought it was either/or re government involvement in our lives was so spot on, it inspired me to quote your reply in my next piece.
I'm always grateful for voices like yours. You added something really valuable to the discussion and helped me rethink the co-opted definition of "liberal" (which has been bothering me for years).
I hadn't seen the Senators accomplishments listed/bulleted in the order they were presented here. What struck me, was that you had to go pretty far down the list, arguably all the way to the bottom with S-CHIP, before the government had to spend money (except for the Cancer funding).
The list is a catalog of Law and Rule changes, which allowed for the independence, liberty and self-determination of all people--without regard to race, disability or gender. And these are remarkable. But again, the Government wasn't spending money.
i can't believe that these people are using "ted" for political gain on health care...its ridiculous...i will ask all of my fellow Americans. what is up with van jones, the weather underground and saul alinski ....let me hear you defend that....i am a 30 year old male born and raised in BROOKLYN,NY...not part of any interest groups...please respond with facts!!
We don't need to, there were no facts in your post.
I don't believe government can solve our problems but I expect it to provide ALL Americans tools so that we all have the same opportunities to solve them for ourselves. Ted Kennedy embodied that philosophy and worked hard for all Americans to be able to work for and reach their potential.
Jennifer
See Miles Mogulescu's Profile
It's not either/or--i.e. government call solve all our problems or government can't solve any of our problems. In a liberal/progressive view, government has several essential functions in a democratic society including: (a) national security, (b) providing a social safety net from the ravages of the business cycle--e.g minimum wage and working conditions, unemployment insurance, retirement security (e.g. social security), and yes--healthcare for all, (c) regulation of business and financial institutions to keep them honest, insure transparency, prevent monopolies, and control financial bubbles, (d) provide services that private enterprise doesn't handle well like public roads, parks, libraries, access to good public education for all, and social insurance, (e) protect countervailing forces to the power of big business, such as the right to organize unions.
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