R.I.P. Ted Kennedy

I am not really a political junkie by any means and I do not want this blog to be a place for angry political debate. But I wanted to share a few thoughts on the passing of Ted Kennedy. Without question, the Kennedy name and family is one of the most famous in American history and Ted Kennedy will go down in history as one of the greatest Senators this nation has had. You may not agree with his political ideology, but no one can dispute that Kennedy worked hard in his career in the Senate and he did what he could to try and help even the playing field when he saw injustice out there.

He was well liked and very much respected, even by his Republican opponents. Many say that Kennedy was the most effective Senator and if you needed to get legislation passed and needed an ally, then Kennedy was the person to turn to. I believe Kennedy is to be respected and admired for his service and also for carrying on the mantle of his family after his brothers were assassinated. He was also a key figure in helping to get President Obama elected. His endorsement and support gave weight and credibility to Obama. It was a passing of the torch and Ted Kennedy saw the potential in Obama to be a great leader.

I supported Obama's candidacy for president because I felt this country needed to go in a new direction after the George Bush years. Maybe it will not turn out for the better, but that is the way things go in the political world. Ideas run their course and new ones need to come in. Sometimes the solutions and agendas are not for the best, but it stirs debate and things move forward in time. I believe Ted Kennedy subscribed to this theory and hopefully his feelings about President Obama will ring true in time and Obama will become a very good President.

It is unfortunate though that Ted Kennedy will not get to see new health care legislation get passed. He dedicated his life to the issue and it has been a long time coming in trying to come up with better solutions. I realize that health care is a seriously complicated issue and the debate is fierce, but I do feel that health care should be a right and not a privilege. Hopefully, a workable system and solution can be found. The opponents of these ideas will fight tooth and nail and Obama and the Democrats have lost a great ally in the fight. But Ted Kennedy's ideas and what he stood for will live on and the lion will still roar. Condolences to his family and friends. R.I.P. Ted Kennedy.