Goodbye Uncle Teddy

If you have been paying any attention to the news about Ted Kennedy's death, you have to agree that the underprivileged, underpaid, discriminated against, and uninsured or underinsured people of America have lost a great advocate. There is a reason almost all the people who knew him referred to him as "Uncle Teddy". He was the kindly old teddy bear to those in need, willing to fight for their rights to have a decent life, with decent pay, and decent health insurance, against the people of means who think little of "the great unwashed".

There is also a reason he was known as the Lion of the Senate. And it's the same reason. He was willing to roar and gnash his teeth in the face of political injustice and in support of those people in need. He was willing to stand up for his convictions, even in the face of political pressure. Such as when he brow-beat President Bush (Dub-ya) about the Iraq War. He didn't accept the premise that it was unpatriotic to question a President in a time of war. He knew that is what this nation is all about and he never hesitated to speak his mind.

Ted Kennedy was a great representative of the people of Massachusetts and all of America. He will be missed. All politicians should set their sights on serving America with as much dedication as him.