Senator Ted Kennedy dies....to be buried Saturday.
By debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
August 26, 2009 4:13pm CST
“An important chapter in our history has come to an end,” President Barack Obama said in a written statement. “Our country has lost a great leader, who picked up the torch of his fallen brothers and became the greatest United States senator of our time.”
I know I speak out against the liberals frequently. This discussion is not about the political differences I have with the left. It is about OUR legacy as Americans.
TED KENNEDY
Kennedy is credited with several legislative efforts, most notably in the fields of civil rights, welfare and education. He was key to passing Head Start as part of the 1964 Economic Opportunity Act, the centerpiece of the War on Poverty. Kennedy fought for Title IX equal access for women and more student aid for GIs .
He proposed increases in minimum wage, championed the Family and Medical Leave Act, shepherded the No Child Left Behind Act, led the fight for passage of hate crimes legislation and sought protections against discrimination for gays and women.
He supported nuclear reduction treaties, enlisted labor unions and backed unrestricted access to abortion even in late term and for teens crossing state lines. He also stood proud despite some failures, including sponsorship of the Equal Rights Amendment, support for a doomed immigration reform bill and opposition to the Iraq war and several Supreme Court nominees, including current Chief Justice John Roberts and Associate Justice Samuel Alito.
He has spent the better part of his career trying to institute a nationalized health care program though he has been absent this year as Congress debates President Obama's plan, which was largely embraced in a Senate version with Kennedy's name on it.
Despite his inability to sway the daily debate, Kennedy's legacy will live on.
Though I could not agree with many of the things Ted Kennedy stood for I will not speak of those differences now. What I would like to hear from you all is what your memories of the KENNEDY LEGACY are. John, Robert and Ted...good or bad, they made an impact on America.
1 person likes this
2 responses
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
26 Aug 09
The Kennedy family probably did more good for American society than any other family ever. Their focus since the generation after Joseph, but including Rose, was on making the world a better place. They were certainly human, and, therefore, flawed, but they carried their high ideals through to establish incredible foundations, programs and efforts for those who did not share their economic status. Each of them left a legacy of public good. It is unlikely such a force will come again soon.
Ted Kennedy, like the rest of the Kennedy family we have lost, will be missed tremendously. We can only hope the younger generation can step up, as Caroline and the late John jr. did.
I'm proud to have known some of the Kennedy clan, as we had a summer house in Hyannis, too, when I was a child. They were warm and friendly people who really did care for others.
Joanne
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
26 Aug 09
Like I said in my 'don't put me in a box' discussion....the Kennedys were well thought of in my family. Though I didn't agree with him in all his politics, I do believe he thought he was serving the best interests of the American people. I am not one who thinks that politicians have to be perfect human beings. Just people of character. He admitted he made mistakes in his personal life, and I give him credit for that. Most do not even have the backbone to do that.
He lived in the shadow of his older brothers and I think that made him very determined to make his mark.
@dawnald (85130)
• Shingle Springs, California
26 Aug 09
Whatever their flaws, I believe that most of them were raised to genuinely care about the people they served. Some of them even lived up to that...
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
26 Aug 09
They are Irish. That was enough for my grandmother. 
But all joking aside, Rose Kennedy was the real power in that family. She WAS a woman of character and strength.
But all joking aside, Rose Kennedy was the real power in that family. She WAS a woman of character and strength.1 person likes this
