"I don't know what Caroline Kennedy's qualifications are. Except that she has name recognition, but so does J-Lo." — Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y.The form of government secured by the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, and the Constitution is unique in history and reflects the strongly held beliefs of the American Revolutionaries.
At the close of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia on September 18, 1787, a Mrs. Powel anxiously awaited the results, and as Benjamin Franklin emerged from the long task now finished, asked him directly: "Well Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?" "A republic if you can keep it" responded Franklin .—Congressman Ron Paul
Charles Krauthammer’s “Caroline Kennedy's Senate quest: entitlement is the problem” spells out what I consider to be one of the current major problems with American Politics and is what the Obama Blagojevich scandal is so symptomatic of. (see story)
The Blagojevich scandal is laden with political favoritism and nepotism, as everyone now knows president-elect Obama wanted his long time friend and confidante Valerie Jarrett appointed to Sen. Clinton’s senate seat but what you probably don’t know is the reason why Gov. Blagojevich is not yet impeached by the state senate of Illinois for attempting to sell in a Quid pro quo deal Senator Clinton’s senate seat.
It is now believed that House Speaker Michael Madigan of the state senate of Illinois is holding off of impeaching Blagojevich even though he has the votes to impeach, because of his hope that the Governor will name his daughter attorney General of Illinois Lisa Madigan to Hillary Clinton’s senate seat. (see story)
Nepotism, bloodlines and entitlement, The Roosevelts, Kennedys, The Bushes, are not exactly what the founders had in mind at the formation of our Democratic Constitutional Republic, bloodlines or monarchies were and are the antithesis to the American idea.
Yet due to what appears to be the dumbing down of the American electorate and its representatives, it seems that Americans and their Representatives are perfectly fine with the idea of losing the Republic for the simple-minded convenience of name recognition, political fame and dynasty.
How else would one explain the mentioning of American political Royalty, Princess Caroline Kennedy’s name with that of Sen. Hillary Clinton’s New York Senate seat which will become vacant due to Sen. Clinton’s appointment to the Obama Cabinet as Secretary of State?
Are there really no better qualified and meritorious considerations than Caroline Kennedy? Answer yes there are but that is not what is at issue here, what is at issue is the superficial and iconic thinking that would even raise the possibility of Caroline Kennedy filling Hillary Clinton’s Senate seat.
But despite Mr Obama's victory, America's most prominent political families remain remarkably resilient, partly because of the president-elect's own fondness for the star power of the Kennedys and – since he won the Democratic primary – the Clintons.-- Toby Harnden (see story)We are now officially a star struck paparazzi driven culture that elects its governing officials like all U.S. High Schools elect their Prom King and Queen, is he or she popular, photogenic and are we able to turn our current desired choice into a tee shirt imaged cause célèbre?
I can see Caroline Kennedy’s face now, silhouetted upon a nice form fitting hot pink tee supported by the slogan, “It’s Her Turn now, why because she’s a Kennedy!”
And we will all alternate it within our wardrobes with our hip Obama ’08 and Che Guevara silhouetted image tees.
If not the scenario mentioned above then political office is handed down to the politician’s progeny like dad’s old worn jacket when a few pounds prevent him from wearing it.
And finally if no politically popular icon, if no political progeny, then friends and acquaintances will do, but if your name is Kennedy we bow and curtsy as you ascend your rightful place of power Your Highness.
Yes indeed, a Republic if you can keep it. Prospects are looking more like we are losing what Benjamin Franklin and the Founders intended. We are posed to fundamentally change the Constitution by disregarding the parts that we do not like as we return to the reign of monarchy.
Today we call these moves to tyranny by a 21st century term CHANGE!