I'm just gonna come right out and say it: I miss Ted Kennedy. I miss him desperately. Growing up, the Kennedy family were my absolute heros. I read every single article, book, and journal about the John F Kennedy and the Kennedy family when I was in seventh and eighth grade. In my readings I came across Teddy Kennedy and he rapidly became one of my political heroes. He was vocal, smart, tough, and most of all compassionate. On the heels of the health care summit I once again thought back to the man who inspired me to become the geeky political junkie I am today.
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.
That is my response to the republicans who wanted us to "start over" on health care reform. You cannot tell us to go back, because it isn't in us to deny those whose dreams are dying every day, crushed by our own health care system. For the people who are NEGATIVELY affected by "Derrr Da Worlds Bestest Health Care Systam" the dream is dying; but their hope still lives. That hope resides in getting a health care bill passed. The people on the edge of bankruptcy due to a cancer in the family don't give a SHIT about tort reform. They honestly don't. They care about what they see and experience every day. How the hell are the going to pay $10,000 dollars a treatment for radiation or chemotherapy? How are they going to keep their jobs? Are their insurance providers going to drop them because they had acne at the age of fifteen? What if they are self employed and couldn't pay for the insurance premiums? How the HELL is that family going to pay $10,000 a treatment for anything????
That is why we must do something. That is why we fucking WORKED FOR A YEAR while you sat on the sidelines and threw bombs. THEY are the reason why we acted. THEY are the reason that people voted for "teh muslim kenyan" Barack Hussein Obama. We want health care reform DAMNIT! How many different ways does the political establishment in this country have to hear this before they get it in their damn heads? How many different DAMN POLLS do they need to finally act? How many different stories do they have to hear before they unplug the corporate money from their ears and finally FUCKING START LISTENING TO US.
DO YOU HEAR US?
WE NEED HEALTH CARE REFORM!!
Once again: I miss Ted Kennedy. I miss him because he cared about ME and I knew that. Even though he never directly said it; he made me understand that he didn't just care about my vote HE CARED ABOUT ME. Even though I wasn't in his district, I never voted for him, never contributed to his campaigns or any of that, but when I heard him talk I knew that he had my interests in mind. He had everyone's interests in mind. Teddy Kennedy would have voted for a public option through reconciliation. He would have voted for HCR through reconciliation. He would have provided unprecedented access to all americans with the democrats. Don't tell me he wouldn't have. I know he would have because he truly supported the idea of equal access to the american healthcare system regardless of HOW MUCH FUCKING MONEY YOU HAVE.
I know President Obama is trying. He wouldn't have sat through 4 straight hours of rePUKES veiled insults and insinuations if he didn't want this thing to pass. All I am saying is that I miss Teddy's fire, conviction, and willingness to stand up for liberal ideas in the United States Senate. I miss the unique way he kicked ass and took names and pushed his agenda through not because he was getting money for it, but because it was the right thing to do. That is sorely missed in the Senate. We need a new voice of passion; a new lion to that would once again speak for the people; not just the constituency he represents, but the American people. We need a new voice in the Senate that will finally fucking stand up to the corporatists and say "WHEN DOES THE GREED STOP" once again.
(I know he is talking about minimum wage, and this is about healthcare but my point remains)
Just watch the video and you'll know what I am talking about. He is working his ASS off for you.
I miss Ted Kennedy.
As a final thought; before the healthcare summit I set out to write a song in tribute of the Ted Kennedy I remember, and I finished it tonight. Heres to the LION of the senate.
update #1: Call your senator and TELL THEM TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF HEALTH CARE REFORM VIA RECONCILIATION
YES, it IS that important. We need a public option, but most of all WE NEED TO PASS THIS DAMN THING!!!!!!