Note: This post was written before news of Sen. Kennedy’s death. We extend our sympathies to the family. What is written discusses political actions and not ad hominem attacks against the late Senator.
By asking the Massachusetts legislature to change the way vacant US Senate seats are filled, Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy is almost certainly seeking to insure that there are enough votes to pass a healthcare reform bill on Capitol Hill.—Tracey D. SamuelsonThe above statement is certainly one way of looking at Senator Kennedy’s request to change Massachusetts law to suit his fancy. Another way of looking at it is Kennedy is determined to control this whole health care debate and by extension this country whether he is a Senator or not. Liberal Democrats, it seems want to have their political desires met regardless of the consequences and Kennedy is just an example of that.
Democrats seem to be willing to move heaven and earth for their goal of universal health care and they seem to want to do it with no input from the American people. But one thing is for certain and that is Sen. Edward Kennedy shouldn’t be lionized for disrespecting the American people which he does by this request.
However that is exactly what Tracey D. Samuelson does in his piece, “Kennedy succession request is ‘all about healthcare.’ Samuelson seems to think that manipulating the system to get what one wants is commendable in Sen. Kennedy’s case. (see story)
It’s unfortunate that Sen. Kennedy is ailing and he has our sympathies but he doesn’t have the right and neither should he attempt to control the American people if he is unable to serve in his senate seat. And controlling the American people is exactly what the Senator’s request amounts to!
The Boston Globe reported Thursday that Senator Kennedy has asked Massachusetts lawmakers to allow the governor to appoint a temporary replacement to fill any empty senate seat. Under current law, senators can only be selected through special elections that must be held in a two-week window 145 days after the vacancy occurs.
Following is the duplicitous way that Kennedy uses to hide his true intent;
“I strongly support the law and the principle that the people should elect their Senator,” Kennedy wrote in a letter to Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray, and Speaker of the House Robert DeLeo. “I also believe it is vital for this Commonwealth to have two voices speaking for the needs of its citizens and two votes in the Senate.”
If Kennedy strongly supported the law and the principle of the people electing their Senator then he should not attempt to affect that process in anyway if he is unable to vote. However, because he is attempting to affect the vote, I am force to believe that Kennedy like most Democrats have issued a calculated statement in order to gain some ulterior goal.
That goal is to impose a government socialized medical system on the United States of America which in actuality would produce less quality care at greater expense.
This is manipulation of the system it should not be commended. No one man or no one Party is above our Constitution or the People of the United States of America. Health care is secondary in Kennedy’s machinations this is about passing Kennedy’s pet project by any legislative means necessary.
The Massachusetts legislature should reject the Senator’s special request what is at stake is what is best for the country not just a political special favor even is the requestor is Sen. Kennedy.
Sen. Kennedy is not above the Constitution or the American People.