The passing away of US Senator Ted Kennedy leaves a sad note in the political world. He was one of the icons of American politics that really made democratic principles the shining shield against conservatism, corruption and bigotry. He could have lived longer to be a global beacon to young and old alike, regardless of sex, creed and race. I am particularly sad because now I know why I had felt a different kind of sympathy over him when he was till ailing. He had taken those issues considered "soft" in the macho political world -- education and healthcare and he also stood against the Iraqui war. As an educator, I hold in high regard those who share these principles as it is very hard to embrace them at a time when "to belong" becomes the password to be known politically or to be recognized rather than what one stands for.
But more than this, I had also hoped that another Kennedy could have been president so that the public service that was not completed by his brother, Jack, and what was missed by his brother, Bobby, could have been done by him. I think that he had borne that feeling in him all throughout his life, also that the burden of fulfilling what his brothers had aimed for were on his shoulders and that he could have thought that the public also expected him to take on the cudgels as well.
Yet for all his senatorial achievements he achieved more as well taking on those issues which could have easily been lost in the meelee of "war preparations against terrorists" and the economic recession. A news syndicate reported that: "He was in the front ranks of Democrats in 1987 who torpedoed one of President Ronald Reagan's Supreme Court nominees. (He said,) 'Robert Bork’s America is a land in which women would be forced into back-alley abortions, blacks would sit at segregated lunch counters, rogue police could break down citizens’ doors in midnight raids, and schoolchildren could not be taught about evolution, writers and artists could be censored at the whim of government, and the doors of the federal courts would be shut on the fingers of millions of Americans.'"
Women, blacks, children, writers, artists-- his concerns reveal high level politics that looked at society from different perspectives of people, which showed his deep preparation and commitment as a national leader. Those aspiring to become leaders of our country could learn a lot from his life, regardless of some unsavory past experiences in his resume. All sectors of society should be the concern of every legislator.
Another report mentioned that "In 2002, he voted against authorizing the Iraq war; later, he called that opposition 'the best vote I’ve made in my 44 years in the United States Senate.'” This just goes to show that he was a pacifist, aiming at peaceful means for resolving contradictions rather than through "saber-rattling."
His commitment to his country was unwavering till the end, even though he was already diagnosed terminally ill, he even advised that a replacement for him be effected right away after his death. So until the end, politics was in his mind and maybe we could ask,
Why was he so determined to fulfill his role as a legislator? In his mind, did he ever wish or did he harbour being a president despite the failed attempts? If we go by the dates of his illness, he suffered the first stroke in May 2008, when the primaries were being held to choose the candidates, including for the presidential position. Then after the Obama inauguration on that same day, he suffered the more debilitating stroke.
As some alternative healers would analyze, a disease may manifest itself physically, like cancer, but once mental and attitudinal make-up is redirected to healing, combined with great family moral support, then cancer can be conquered. Hence, maybe if Sen. Kennedy had uttered his wish to become president, and/or told his family and peers to tell him, "Hey, you are doing great as a legislator. No need to be president of Superman's country. Being president is not the be-all and end-all of politics, " then the pressures on him would have been less and that cancer would not have grown so easily in his brain.
I would ask all societies steeped in working for change to be more tender in treating those who have a lot to give in terms of public service, commitment and loyalty rather than pressuring them to deliver right away. Life to be lived well, need not be under too much pressure to achieve, but rather to be savored and enjoyed while fulfilling oneself, one's talents and serving those who are truly in need.
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