Today's Poll: How would you characterize Ted Kennedy's legacy?

you taking away our freedom of speech Howard???if you are you may as well take this web site down

Posted by william tapp on August 26, 2009 - 1:12pm
you taking away our freedom of speech Howard???if you are you may as well take this web site down

Never fear, William. Vitriol is alive and well here.
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/bea/ted-kennedy-dead-77/8922

The Chappaquiddick incident will fade over time. The positive impact Kennedy has had on people's lives will live on for generations.

The one thing that struck me about him was his ability to reach across the aisle and consistently co-sponsor legislation with conservatives like Hatch, Thurmond and Grassley. That is unprecedented in the Senate.

He looked beyond people's ideology and embraced people as they were -- something we all should emulate.

If you want to get a sense of the real gift that Kennedy had, watch the remarks by Joe Biden at http://politicalwire.com/archives/2009/08/26/biden_on_kennedy.html#0310…

Kennedy, a longtime chair of the Senate's Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, called for extending Medicare coverage to all Americans, medical coverage for the uninsured and modernizing health care systems by using new technologies to cut costs. He also proposed to implement a rule that would require every American to have some form of health insurance, a point which became one of the key points of contention between Democrats and Republicans.

"We'll negotiate with insurance companies to keep premiums and co-pays low and help you with your premiums if you can't afford them," Kennedy wrote in a column published in the Boston Globe in June to push support for his plan. "We're also hearing that some Americans want the choice of enrolling in a health insurance program backed by the government for the public good, not private profit -- so that option will be available, too."

Kennedy first called for a national health care system in 1966, when he proposed an amendment to the Economic Opportunity Act.

Kennedy, along with other senators, sponsored the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) in 1996.

In 1997, he rallied for the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under which uninsured children from low-income families could get insurance.

Kennedy sponsored the Family Opportunity Act of 2006, allowing states to expand Medicaid coverage to children with special needs. That same year, he voted for expanding the enrollment period for Medicare, and would later support a bill that required pharmaceutical companies to negotiate prescription drug prices covered under the same plan.

Kennedy was the chairman of the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. He became known as "The Lion of the Senate", due to his long history and influence in the legislature. More than 300 bills that Kennedy and his staff wrote have been enacted into law. He was known for his ability to work with Republicans and to find compromises among Senators with disparate views. Kennedy played a major role in passing many laws that have affected the lives of all Americans, including the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, the National Cancer Act of 1971, the Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1974, the COBRA Act of 1985, the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Ryan White AIDS Care Act in 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the Mental Health Parity Act in 1996 and 2008, the State Children's Health Insurance Program in 1997, the No Child Left Behind Act in 2002, and the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009. During the 2000s, he was a leader of several unsuccessful efforts at immigration reform. Over decades in office, Kennedy's major legislative goal had been enactment of universal health care, which he continued to work toward during the Obama administration.

Dennis,
Chappaquiddick was 40 years ago. How much longer does it need till it fades?

Thank you Senator Kennedy for the Immigration and Nationality Act which makes my immigrant daughter-in-law's path to citizenship easier. Thank you for the WIC program that helped feed my two young children in the early 80's when my husband was serving in the Marine Corp and there sometimes wasn't enough money left at the end of the pay period. Thank you for Title 9 so that my daughter could go to college and play competitive sports, that led to a memorable trip to the the National Jr College championships. Thank you for civil rights legislation that has helped level the playing field for the child that we were blessed to host each summer and holidays courtesy of the Fresh Air Fund.
Just a few of the pieces of legislation that I can personally say thank you to the Lion of the Senate for.

Peter -

It will fade when people who only find fault in others — rather that looking for goodness — being to die off. It's already happening. The generation currently coming of age are clueless about Chappaquiddick. They do, however, know who Kennedy is and the great things he's done for our nation.

Kennedy's legacy will stand the test of time. Chappaquiddick will be but a small footnote.

I think you underestimate my generation.

>> "I think you underestimate my generation."

Quite the contrary. I am very hopeful about the generation coming of age. There is some good research that says this generation will be more connected, more thoughtful and even more honest.

Once Bill O'Reilly's viewers die off and your generation takes over, the world should be back in balance once again. :)

Peter said: "Chappaquiddick was 40 years ago. How much longer does it need till it fades?"
It may never fade Peter, but that comment makes me respect you more and question my preconcieved notions about you regarding other posts. Maybe we all have more in common than we realize. I'm pretty sure I am right about this one. I hope so.

I don't know why that particular statement made you think that George, but I am glad it did. I honestly am not as gruff in real life as I am here. Here mostl people only see my politics. If that was all I was I would be a miserable person.

Hell, enev Bea and I have something in common...

Love him or hate him, this man gave his WHOLE ENTIRE life to public service!! That is more than I can say for myself and anyone else I know.

RIP Teddy

I tended not to agree with a lot of Senator Kennedy's politics, but one thing I do know is that people are shaped a great deal by circumstances in their lives, and despite all the money, power and prestige, there are not too many individuals who suffered through as many personal, yet very public family tragedies as Ted Kennedy did. He continued on through all of it with a determination rarely seen in politics today. Although I don't support government run healthcare, Senator Kennedy never waivered or flip-flopped on that issue, it was his campaign mantra from his first election to his last. One need only look at the pictures of him with his brothers too realize that, having liked it or not, the political legacy of the Kennedy family will likely never be repeated. I pray peace and comfort for his family.

"The generation currently coming of age are clueless about Chappaquiddick. The generation currently coming of age are clueless about Chappaquiddick."

The x generation probably can't spell it.

>> "The x generation probably can't spell it."

Actually, neither could Howard when he first posted the question, although I now see it's been corrected. :)

I was born in 82 and I spelled it correctly

He did do some good, but he never earned a dime in his life or worked a day. He got thrown out of Harvard for cheating, joined the Army, but because of his father's connections he didn't have to support the war that was going on then. After 2 years, he was discharged and returned to Harvard. Then went straight into politics. I think guys like him are what's wrong with our political system. Just my opinion.

Senator Kennedy was well respected by both Democrats and Republicans. That right there should tell you what kind of a person he was. He had a way of working with both sides on an issue. He dealt with a lot of issues in the Kennedy family,deaths,controversey,etc. He will be missed.

Hey Gary did you catch the TV special about him last night?? It ws pretty informative. It seems like he dedicated his life to politics. He was an Honest and Prowd man. Thank You Mr. Kennedy for your efforts.

Posted by Dave Olsen on August 27, 2009 - 10:04am
He did do some good,

Some good?
He did more than 'some good' and his record indicates that he certainly worked during his years in the Senate.

1962 Edward M. Kennedy is elected to the United States Senate.

1963 Senator Kennedy becomes a member of the Health Committee and Judiciary Committee in the Senate, and works on fishery research and development, the NASA Electronics Research Center, and the Northeast Airlines Boston-Miami route.

1964 Senator Kennedy makes his maiden speech to the Senate on the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

1965 The first major bill that Senator Kennedy managed on the Senate floor was the Immigration Act of 1965.

1966 Senator Kennedy passed legislation creating the national community health center program. He joined a health center in Columbia Point in Dorchester,
Massachusetts, with a center in Mound Bayou, Mississippi as the start of a national program that now includes more that 1200 health centers nationally serving more than 20 million low income patients.

1967 Senator Kennedy made his first speech that openly questioned the Vietnam War.

1968 The Bilingual Education Act of 1968 was passed by Congress.

1970 Senator Kennedy amended the Voting Rights Act to lower the voting age to 18, laying the basis for a constitutional amendment moving the voting age from 21 to age 18.

1971Senator Kennedy becomes Chairman of the Senate Health Subcommittee.

1972 Senator Kennedy champions the Meals on Wheels Act, which offers nutritional meals to homebound senior citizens and the Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program, known as WIC.

1973 Senator Kennedy and Senator Hugh Scott sponsor legislation for public financing of Senate and House elections. The bill is approved by the Senate but not the House.

1974 Senator Kennedy leads the fight to cut off U.S. military aid to Chile. Kennedy and Wilbur Mills, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, introduced comprehensive legislation providing national health insurance.

1975 Senator Kennedy was an original cosponsor of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, which later became the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and requires a free and appropriate public education for children with disabilities in every state.

1976 Senator Kennedy offers numerous amendments to the Tax Reform Act to increase fairness in the tax laws.

1977 Senator Kennedy, Senator Moynihan, House Speaker O’Neill, and NY Governor Carey (the “Four Horsemen”) issue a statement on St. Patrick’s Day condemning IRA violence in Northern Ireland.

1978 Senator Kennedy led the successful effort to deregulate the airline industry, enabling airlines to set competitive rates and reduce costs for consumers.
1979 Senator Kennedy becomes Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

1980 Kennedy introduced the Civil Rights for Institutionalized Persons Act

1981 Senator Kennedy relinquished his chairmanship of the Senate Judiciary Committee to become Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labor and Human Resources.

1982 Senator Kennedy is the chief sponsor of the Voting Rights Act Amendments.

1983 Senator Kennedy becomes a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

1984 Senator Kennedy sponsors legislation requiring polling stations to provide accessibility for physically disabled and elderly people to vote in federal elections.

1985 Senator Kennedy introduces the Anti-Apartheid Act to impose economic sanctions against South Africa in response to pressure that government to end legalized racial discrimination in that country.

1986 Senator Kennedy sponsors several bills to assist persons with disabilities.

1987 Senator Kennedy supports a minimum wage increase and also the Welfare-to-Jobs Incentives.

1988 Senator Kennedy introduced the Fair Housing Act Amendments to extend the law to prohibit discrimination towards people with disabilities in the sale or rental of housing.

1989 Senator Kennedy won passage of the National Military Child Care Act.

1990 The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted into law. Introduced by Senator Kennedy.

1991 Senator Kennedy was the chief sponsor of the Civil Rights Act of 1991.

1992 Senator Kennedy worked to expand Head Start by increasing the number of low-income children served by 25%.

1993  Senator Kennedy worked closely with President Clinton to expand opportunity for working families.
1994 Senator Kennedy brought about the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act.

1996 Senator Kennedy and Senator Nancy Kassebaum sponsored the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.

1997 With Senator Hatch, Senator Kennedy led the successful effort to enact the major Children’s Health Insurance Program.

1999 Senator Kennedy and Senator Jeffords also increased job training opportunities for unemployed and at risk by passing the “Work Incentives Improvement Act.”

2000 Senator Kennedy is the lead sponsor of the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act.
2001 Senator Kennedy works with President Bush to pass the No Child Left Behind Act.

2002 Senator Kennedy was one of the first in Congress to speak out against going to war with Iraq.

2003 Senator Kennedy led an effort to provide funds for additional armored Humvees for our forces in Iraq.

2004 Senator Kennedy was a lead sponsor of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

2005 Senator Kennedy again sponsors legislation to increase armored Humvee production.

2006 Senator Kennedy sponsors the Family Opportunity Act.
2007 Senator Kennedy led the effort to pass the first increase in the federal minimum wage in more than 10 years.

2008 Senator Kennedy worked with Senator Enzi, with the help of Senator Mikulski, to pass the Higher Education Opportunity Act. Kennedy is diagnosed with brain cancer.

2009 Senator Kennedy championed the health and employment provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Kennedy was also a leader in passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. Kennedy’s Health Committee was also the first committee in Congress to pass comprehensive health reform legislation called for by President Obama the Affordable Health Choices Act that will reduce health costs, protect individuals’ choice in doctors and plans, and assure quality and affordable health care for all Americans.

Kennedy killed a woman either on purpose, through negligence, or drunkenness.

He let her lie there in the car gasping for breath while he swam away and never got any help for her.

That is the truth of his character.

All of the legislation listed by you, Ms. McManis is not the same as working like most Americans do for all those 46 years in the Senate. Someone who has never had to provide for themselves or their family or earn their way doesn't really understand what average people need from their elected representatives. Besides, he had loads of assistants to do all his "work". If he wasn't a Kennedy, he would have never been elected in the first place, or got away with the Chappaquiddick incident. I feel the same way about G.W. Bush by the way.

We need term limits!!!