Thursday, August 27, 2009

Ted Kennedy Blasts GOP on Health Care Reform

The most meaningful way we can honor Ted Kennedy is to fight to pass his signature issue; Universal Health Care. Senator Kennedy was lauded for his ability to cross the aisle and get the Republicans to help pass many reforms like Civil Rights. But sometimes he found it necessary to blast his opponents, as he did in this video.

Senator Kennedy felt very strongly about this issue, as do I. He didn't need reform for personal reasons; nor do I. But he always felt an obligation to fight for the little guy. I have a more personal reason for fighting - and a fight it is - because my daughter needs expensive medication on a monthly basis and she has no health insurance. A catastrophic illness would bankrupt her, as it has others in her situation.

It's easy when you are on Medicare or Medicaid to say we can't afford it. What if that argument had won (and it was used) to defeat the insurance coverage you now enjoy? If we are a humane country, as we profess to be, then we need to think of those millions who have no insurance (or could be kicked off of the policy they do have) and are one catastrophic illness away from losing everything they have worked hard for.

It seems like the ones that claim we are a Christian nation are the most vocal against any kind of reform. I guess they don't think Christianity involves following the teachings of Jesus. What about , "Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you?" Or, "As ye have done it to the least of these, ye have done it unto me."

When they try to excuse their - dare I say heartlessness? - by saying the ones without insurance could afford it, but just don't want it or, worse, they can go to the Emergency Room if they're sick, they are ignoring facts and reality. It's so easy to cop out on one's responsibility by excusing themselves with lies and evasions.

The Senate will reconvene soon and now is not the time to give up. They used to say of Ronald Reagan, "Let's get one for the Gipper." Well, I now say please keep writing your representatives. Let's get one for the fighter - Ted Kennedy, the Lion of the Senate.

15 comments:

Vagabonde said...

I am all with you on this Darlene, I wish that the sad passing of Ted Kennedy would energize the democratic party to push for the health care that is needed and stop trying to please the ignorant conservatives who do not understand, or are not willing to understand what is at stake. This is a terrible loss for the country as he was such a force in defending the middle class and the little guy, even if some of them don’t fully appreciate what he achieved for them.

joared said...

Excellent points and examples you stress, Darlene. We surely will miss the bipartisan efforts he fostered.

Darlene said...

*Vagabonde - If only the Blue Dogs could see it our way we wouldn't need the obstructionist Republicans to pass a good health care reform bill. Sometimes bi-partisanship isn't possible.

*Joared - Even Teddy couldn't sway the Republicans this time. They are so intent on destroying Obama so they can win more Congressional seats next election.

Barry said...

Darlene-

Excellent post. I wish I could be as free on my blog, and I live in "Kennedy Country". I am hoping against hope that they can get this done and do so with a public option.

Keep it up!

Looking to the Stars said...

Good post, kiddo! With people like you around maybe the torch isn't out :)

Keep up the good work and posts!
Together we stand.

Durward Discussion said...

Thank you for following Take This Tune. I look forward to you participating.

NOw, may the Kennedy passing mean that health care of all passes.

Darlene said...

*FBF - Thank you for visiting and for your nice comment. I hope you will return.

I won't stop until the last gasp.

*Looking To the Stars - Good point - together we stand.

*Jamie - We will slough on to try to get it passed.

Thank you for your visit; I hope you will return.

Joy Des Jardins said...

I really enjoyed hearing Teddy in that video Darlene...thanks for posting it. He will be missed....in many ways. I hope his hard word won't go for naught.

Darlene said...

*Joy - Ted was so incredible that there will never be another like him. If only the Democrats will go it alone and pass a good bill it will honor all of his hard work.

Ted fought for universal health care for 40 years and the Repubs say Obama is rushing it through. What a farce!!

Looking to the Stars said...

This was such a good post, kiddo. I had to come back and read it again :)

LadyLuz said...

Hi Darlene, something nice awaits you on my blog, passed on to me by D. in Devon here.. http://60goingon16.typepad.com/

I look forward to yours if you've the inclination.

Hugs
P.

Rinkly Rimes said...

Ted Kennedy was living proof that we're all a mixture of good and bad.

Michael Chapman, RN said...

I find it funny that they are now using his death as the excuse to vote no on health care refrom. They say well Kennedy was the only Dem willing to compromise to get this done and if he were here we could sit down and have an honest debate. He was here and had been pushing for this reform for most of his 40 years in the senate and with little or no help from the conservatives. He has voted already and it should be that bill that the dems get behind and make the RIGHT demonize this now passed American hero.

Great post.

Darlene said...

*Looking to the Stars - Thank you.

*Lady Luz - Thank you. Rest assured I will stop by today. I' so excited!

*Rinkly Rimes - Yes, no one is perfect and we all have made mistakes we regret.

*Michael Chapman, R.N. - Thank you for your visit to my hodgepodge. I hope you will come back.

It is ironic, isn't it, how the naysayers can twist things around. I think some religious conservatives would hate Jesus if he were preaching today. After all, his teachings were certainly more Democratic than the stance of the Repubs.

Vagabonde said...

I came back to this post because I just read a new blog and the responses he got, from anonymous comments, were exactly like what you said – religious people without a clue. The blogger “Georgia Mountains and Beyond” was saying that two GA legislators want to introduce a bill to stop health care reform in Ga should it pass in Congress. Can you believe it? I am not surprised though since Georgia rated one of the worst states in education – there are so many ignorant masses in it. Take a look at this blog: http://georgiamountainsandbeyond.blogspot.com/. He also has a clip on Letterman that is good.