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Glenn Beck says Democrats are exploiting not honoring Ted Kennedy.
All of the sudden Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck have become the protectors of the Ted Kennedy since his passing. In the videos below both Beck and Limbaugh make the accusation that Democrats are exploiting Kennedy's death in order to pass health care reform. Both commentators use the "Wellstone Memorial" example in an attempt to prove their point.
For those unfamiliar with the "Wellstone Memorial" it was a successful effort by Democrats and many Republicans to pass a bill in honor of Senator Paul Wellstone who died in a plane crash while running for reelection in the U.S. Senate. The bill helped to provide more insurance coverage for mental health and substance abuse and was even named after Wellstone. Many Republicans criticized Wellstone's funeral as being "politicized" when Wellstone family declined an invitation from Dick Cheney to attend Wellstone's funeral. In addition, many Republicans were upset that Democrats "used" Wellstone's name and story to help pass the bill.
Now the same argument is being made regarding the death of Ted Kennedy. Republicans and conservative commentators who previously attacked Ted Kennedy mercilessly are now suddenly declaring Kennedy's death out-of-bounds in passing health care reform.
In reality nothing could better honor the death of Ted Kennedy than the passage of real, progressive health care reform. Wellstone fought vigorously for passage of his bill before his death. In the same way, Ted Kennedy considered health care reform his driving issue in his most recent years in the Senate. Ted Kennedy frequently mentioned health care reform in his efforts to help President Obama get elected. Even in his last days Kennedy was attempting to have prepare for his Senate seat to be replaced to aid in health care reform efforts.
How can anyone argue passing health care reform would "politicize" Ted Kennedy's death. Ted Kennedy's life was politics and nothing would make him happier than to have his death make real health care reform politically viable. These men spent the better part of their lives trying to better the country through legislation. If we were able to raise them from the grave and ask them how they would like to be honored they would not ask for monuments or 24/7 news coverage of their death. Instead, they would ask for passage of the kind of legislation that is or was being considered after their death. So please, leave to liberals to protect Kennedy's legacy and determine what constitutes honoring or exploiting his death. The exploitation of Ted Kennedy is best done by the far right.
Comments
The Dems are which makes them right!
The Right don't get it while the Dems do. There isn't a better time to pass the bill for Health Care Reform AND in honor of Senator Kennedy, it should be named after him. Once it gets passed, I believe a lot of skeptical people will be glad to have Health Care Options... then the Republicans will really look ignorant!
OBAMACARE will actually result in fewer coverage options, higher costs on current private provider plans, and will eventually lead to only one provider in 10 to 15 years - your federal government. But don't worry, as Obama mentioned it will function as efficiently as the USPS. And as Obama also noted, only the private businesses FEDEX and UPS operate more efficiently than the heavily subsidized USPS. Side Note: While for years Dems have blasted 'No Child' as a Bush failure, they are now very quick to embrace it as a Kennedy accomplishment.
KENNEDYCARE would result in our healthcare system going down like Ed's car at Chappaquiddick with the costs drowning the citizens like Mary Jo Kopechne.
Dead Kennedy.. nuff said!
I would urge people to read the Examiner article "Marginalizing the Mormon 'bogeyman'". I cannot understand how the Examiner keeps publishing the CRAP that Ryan Witt puts out. I have an idea Ryan- since all you can do is badmouth Beck with very weak/nonexistent arguments, maybe you should write about something else (or not write anything at all). Your fascination with bashing Glenn Beck is a bit disturbing. I could make the statement that "Ryan Witt has a crush on Glenn Beck" and have no facts to back it up (except for a sneaking suspicion) and that statement would be on par with your style of "writing".
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