A senator has died and it seems to be on everyone's minds. From the breaking news alerts that interrupted our favorite shows, to NYTimes op-ed pieces, even to facebook messages, people around the country are feeling a slight emotional tug at the mention of the long-standing senator from Massachusetts--even comparing him to some our nation's greatest heroes.
Although I disagreed with Mr. Kennedy on many issues (being a conservative-voting Vermonter will do that...and yes--I may be the ONLY Vermonter voting Republican -- and yes--I may have just told that to the generation of voters who secured the presidency for Mr. Obama) I did admire him for his committment to the advancement of healthcare in our country.
Healthcare reform for Senator Kennedy was "the cause of his life." He made it possible for workers to keep their coverage if they were injured on the job or had a pre-existing condition. He helped insure millions of children and senior citizens, many who health insurance companies refused to cover. And over the past several months as the latest healthcare battle was played out in Washington, his absence was significant. It is safe to say that he was the only person who could rally enough support behind one cause, his cause, healthcare for everyone in America.
And whether that would have been from the legislation that was being circulated before the August recess or a totally new bill, we might never know.
I wonder what may have happened if the Lion roared for a while longer.
