A Giant Lost

We have lost a giant. The Senate is a smaller place today -- a special measure of joy, political passion, irrepressible energy has been lost.

Edward Kennedy's words, delivered as his 1980 presidential campaign came to an end at the Democratic Convention in Madison Square Garden, should be played repeatedly in his memorials, for they provide the charge that he has left for us:

For me, a few hours ago, this campaign came to an end. For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.

He will be missed. And the great cause of his career -- health care for all -- will pass the Congress as his final triumph.

Comments

[jedthekidd]

To be honest, I can't see what the holdup is on passing healthcare reform. I feel it is a human right, let's be civilized and protest each others agendas when they are luxuries. This is a story of human tragedy for some Americans. Like it or not we are all in this together. We already spend the money it just goes to greedy fatcats instead of grandma. Is there such a saying as human up?

[phylliscooper1]

Access to health care coverage is so important to American people, whether they have a family or they are single, rich or poor, employed or unemployed, a boss or a direct report, young or old, or healthy or sick. Having insurance means you can sleep better at night and enjoy your work and leisure more. Having a health care plan provides the same assurances no matter your political affiliation, gender, sexual orientatio­n,ethnicit­y or religious status. It can make the difference between having a roof over your head and groceries on the table.

How can so many people, most of whom identify themselves as Christians, believe that it is a privilege to have health insurance and medical care, and not a basic human right?

[Pablo175]

60 votes no longer

[provgrays]

It's tragic enough that Ted did not live to see health care reform pass. If it doesn't pass now, then this country is utterly dead to hope, constructive effort and the greater good.

[RRonin]

If WE DEMOCRATS don't pass health care reform (the real deal, not just "band-aid" reform) then we are all SONSOFBITCHES.

[WellTickleMeWillie]

"It is my great pleasure to announce the passing of universal health care with the public option in memory of that great American and human being who fought so long and diligently for the common man, Senator Ted Kennedy." so says President Barack Obama on the signing of this momentus legislation into law. Thank you, Teddy and may you RIP with your great brothers, John and Bobby.

[Emerald1943]

Politics has become the toughest game in town. Polarization and dissent, lies and distortions, racism and bigotry take the headlines with a generous smattering of personal attacks on our public figures when all else fails. Senator Edward Kennedy fought through it all. He fought for the little guy, for the down-trodden, for all of us. Health care for all Americans was his passion.

On September 13th, there is a march planned in Washington in support of the Public Option. I would encourage everyone to attend and honor the great Senator's life work by doing so. I believe that he will be with us every step of the way!

We desperately need the public option reform in this country...and what better way to honor the life of one of our greatest and best by passing the Edward M. Kennedy Health Care Act of 2009!

YES WE CAN!

[stick458]

No, you won't.

[overd0g1]

"Health care for all" isn't even under consideration anymore.

[stick458]

Health care for all is a great ambition, just don't let the government run it.

[landthatilove]

In this celebrity and pseudo celebrity worshiping clogged society we live in, here was a man who was worthy of all praise. He stood for and lived his life graciously and with dignity for others benefit. He is someone we can pattern our live after and spend our time listening to and thinking about his great legacy which should inspire us to be better citizens, brothers and sisters. America was blessed to have this statesman represent us.

This family has endured so many tragedies that would devastate most of us and leave us with no inspiration or belief in humanity. But Teddy Kennedy is as he has been called a true lion and continued the fight he and his remarkable brothers began.

So long old warrior, we will truely miss you.

[cayuse]

I have no pain with a great career ending or a man passing form body into spirit at the end of his day. I do not think this mans battle was one issue, health care.

He stayed the course to do what he could to help America. Unlike his brothers whose lives were robbed from all of us.

So different from those who would take a life to distroy an opinion, a belief, a movement. whether they be the planner or the shooter. But it does speak volumes again of how for most of us or lives did change so abruptly in those days when idealism and right were murdered in America.

I think I may be learning how this man Ted Kennedy was winning his war against his brother Assailant. 2006 and 2008 was a more silent movement toward the goals of the Kennedy dinasty, but Ted's way. Not as inspriring or exciting, but slow and steady.

[Oldsop]

Sorry Mr. Borosage but a health care government take-over will not happen because Kennedy died. If it does it will just get thrown out right after the next election cycle prunes out the radical left .

[stick458]

Yup. What he said.

[liveinhope23]

And your crystal ball no doubt shows the repayment of the French war debt and the election of Harold Stassen as well. Dream on. Your party won't be pruning anything in the forseeable future. You are just another passenger on a political train wreck.

People's health - much like national security - is not a "for profit" business. How do you reconcile your "anti-government" stance with the military budget? The only time that service is profitable is when there's a war. Oh, I see.......

[bedfordny]

Bravo!!!!! You are exactly right! Fanned.

[Oldsop]

Yo liveinhope23, I am pro-small-­government­; not anti-government.
A strong military works just fine in such a constitutional stance.

BTW, the only train wreck will be on the obama choo choo.

[TLV]

Which leftist said this?

"I shall propose a sweeping new program that will assure comprehensive health-insurance protection to millions of Americans who cannot now obtain it or afford it, with vastly improved protection against catastrophic illnesses."

[mairs]

Nixon of course. How far the right has fallen. The term "conservative" used to mean to conserve. To conserve the country's heritage, its parks, its people, its moral authority. Now it means nothing.

[stick458]

Not true, mairs, but I'm impressed by your words.

[That Guy]

lol @ the right thinking it's making a comeback. Keep dreaming, and welcome to the Center Left America

[Yaa]

Center Left America sounds wonderful--it describes where most of us democrats stand.

I am sure that we'll have a public option for health insurance by Thanksgiving. And Senator Kennedy has done everything he could to help pass it. May he rest in peace.

[TLV]

Richard Nixon tried to pass a very similar health care reform bill in 1974. Perhaps calling it the Nixon-Kennedy Health Care Reform Bill would work for you?

[StuartH]

Now is the time for Democrats to consider themselves and their actions in the effort to pass health care reform, particularly the public option, in the light of John Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage."

If this fight is lost because our candidates, now elected leaders, fail at high noon, the losses in the next election could lead to a whole lot of nihilists getting elected who believe in nothing but negativism. That would mean an effective paralysis for a long time. The stakes are high. We need our people to live up to the best and boldest vision of the Kennedy legacy.

[stick458]

Since you bring up politics, conservatives are not "nihilists who believe in nothing but negativism". Actually, we believe that people are best served by freedom from government intrusion, and that individuals, not government, improve their own and one another's lives, through innovation and charity. Welfare doesn't work - we know that now, don't we? Nothing negative about that.

[luckynewman13]

ummmm, how does welfare not work? That's news to me

[That Guy]

So the military should be run by private, for profit corporations?

[tb92]

Stuart never uses the word conservatives. Isn't it interesting that you ASSUME that the nihilists he mentions would be conservatives?

[mairs]

Unfettered free market capitalism has just been shown to be a disaster. Look at Canada. They didn't have to bail out their banks. They are doing fine. They regulate their industry and their financial sector.

Your world doesn't work. If it did, why is China bailing us out?

[mtwashingtonmike]

If the fight is lost it will be lost to a particular Democratic failing, over reaching. One of Kennedy's greatest regrets was not hammering out a heath care deal with Richard Nixon in the early 70's. Nixon was willing to deal, Kennedy was not. He could have had half a loaf then and ended up with nothing. Barak Obama is in a similar situation. He has the ability to come away with a sensible comprimise that will not satisfy his base but may actually help people and the country. Or he may go for it all, and end up with nothing.

[stick458]

Sorry for this loss. A man who needed to do nothing did a lot. That is character.

[sandpiper1]

I'm heartbroken..having followed the Kennedy family all my life starting with John F. Kenney, I feel as if I have lost a family member.
I hope and pray that Health Care Reform is passed in honour of his tireless work to improve the lives of his fellow Americans, no matter their socio-economic status.
My sympathies and condolences to his family and friends. America has lost a hero for the ordinary man/woman.
RIP Senator Ted Kennedy.

[bedfordny]

Stick, I've seen some of your posts, and although we are on opposite sides of the political fence more often then not, I respect and concur with your thoughtful sentiment.

[outnow]

Getting national health care passed is much harder than the American Revolution was. The enemy is insurance company, drug company and physician propaganda. Nowhere in any industry do the participants blame injured victims for their own lapses in judgment. So if a doctor amputates the wrong leg by accident, you want to eliminate your constitutional rights? Why?

Kennedy was a lion of a man. He made mistakes but he lived down any criticism. Too bad that others call themselves Democrats but are essentially Rethugs in drag. Few were able to articulate the principles of the party as well as the Kennedys. I still miss JFK and RFK. How different things would be today had these great men survived.

[mtwashingtonmike]

Please, you insult the patriots who gave their lives fighting the British Empire, and the Founding Fathers who risked everything. None of the current member of Congress are risking the gallows should their health care endeavours fail. They will go back to their fat Congressional heath care, perks, retirements and six to seven figure lobbying jobs when they quit.

It is serious legistation, and comperable to many other pieces of serios legislation passed since 1789, but you show you ignorance when comparing it to the American Revolution.

[RepugsOut08]

Senator Kennedy, you WILL be there when we sign The Kennedy Universal Health Care Bill into law.
C'mon, progressives. C'mon Obama.
Let's quit mucking around. We owe it to this man!
Million man woman and child march on DC for universal health care this Fall!

[stick458]

Please Mass, vote in a conservative.

[bedfordny]

Never gonna happen. If you want to start a thread of hope over that one, head to Fox online. You can jump on the junk heap of insensitive comments about a man who just passed away.

[TLV]

Like Nixon?

[gavrielle]

Give it up. They'll vote in his son, former Representative Joe Kennedy. And in Illinois and New York, with any luck, Chris Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy Scholossberg, respectively, will also run for the senate and win.

[buggedabouttheus]

Massachusetts we have lost our lion. Senator Edward Kennedy, the last of the Kennedy brothers has left us with a job to complete...health care for all! It is now up to us to deliver on his vision of bringing health care to all Americans. He has left us a great commission and a strong legacy. Stand up in his honor and for each other and help pass a strong health care bill.

I am not sad. I am energized. God Bless his family in their time of grief.