Senetor Edward Kennedy Dies. What is his legacy? (house of representatives, Congress, Obama)

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by thriftylefty

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.

Thanks! I don't think that all these bills are right or admirable, but I appreciate the links.

[Tin Knocker]

Originally Posted by baystater

So let me ask two questions of the good people of City Data.

1. What is Senator Kennedy's Legacy to America?

He proved that an influential politician is above the law & need not concern themselves with the results of their actions & how they effect the regular citizens.

2. Do you believe he did more good politically for the country than bad or vice versa?

R.I.P Senator Kennedy.

I think he was instrumental in moving us down to road towards the economic issues we face today. Lucky for him he doesn't have to deal with that either.

[Mathguy]

Originally Posted by thriftylefty

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.

Excellent post!
I can't help but chuckle over how Bush was reviled for No Child Left Behind though. Just a great example how jaded our political views are.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Excellent post!
I can't help but chuckle over how Bush was reviled for No Child Left Behind though. Just a great example how jaded our political views are.

Kind of like how Bush was assailed for "killing all those people in Texas!!!!", when the truth is that he was simply governor of a state where capital punishment was/is the law.

[mainegirl]

Originally Posted by Tin Knocker

He proved that an influential politician is above the law & need not concern themselves with the results of their actions & how they effect the regular citizens.

I agree with you here. His entire family has had this privilege. I do feel badly that the man suffered terribly from brain cancer, I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

[McGowdog]

No, me neither. RIP.

But what is his legacy? I say he was a bad date.

[Sandhillian]

Originally Posted by thriftylefty

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.

Not to mention the Family and Medical Leave Act, all he did for peace in Ireland and his tireless efforts on behalf of uninsured Americans. How many people have served this country for as long as he did? He was a true patriot.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by Sandhillian

Not to mention the Family and Medical Leave Act, all he did for peace in Ireland and his tireless efforts on behalf of uninsured Americans. How many people have served this country for as long as he did? He was a true patriot.

He was a United States Senator. He did not serve his country, the country served him - to the tune of tens of millions of dollars of personal profit.

[Memphis1979]

Friends, Americans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Kennedy, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Kennedy. The noble Republican
Hath told you Kennedy was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Kennedy answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Republican and the rest -
For the Republican is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men -
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.

I've heard a lot of people trashing Teddy Kennedy today, I think this speech should be read to anyone who speaks ill of the late Senator.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

Friends, Americans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Kennedy, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
So let it be with Kennedy. The noble Republican
Hath told you Kennedy was ambitious:
If it were so, it was a grievous fault,
And grievously hath Kennedy answer'd it.
Here, under leave of Republican and the rest -
For the Republican is an honourable man;
So are they all, all honourable men -
Come I to speak in Caesar's funeral.

I've heard a lot of people trashing Teddy Kennedy today, I think this speech should be read to anyone who speaks ill of the late Senator.

Actually, it's just the opposite.

When somebody dies, everybody spares no effort in talking about what a magnanimous, heroic, selfless person the departed was. Sometimes people will talk in such a gracious way that you genuinely begin to wonder if they're talking about the wrong person.


Kennedy's legacy will be what it is.