Edward M. (Ted) Kennedy; 1932-2009 RIP

President Harry S. Truman - Special Message to the Congress Recommending a Comprehensive Health Program; delivered on November 19, 1945

"Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health. Millions do not now have protection or security against the economic effects of sickness. The time has arrived for action to help them attain that opportunity and that protection....

Our new Economic Bill of Rights should mean health security for all, regardless of residence, station, or race--everywhere in the United States.
We should resolve now that the health of this Nation is a national concern; that financial barriers in the way of attaining health shall be removed; that the health of all its citizens deserves the help of all the Nation."

Senator Ted Kennedy to the Democratic National Convention in New York, NY on August 12, 1980.

"Finally, we cannot have a fair prosperity in isolation from a fair society. So I will continue to stand for a national health insurance. We must -- We must not surrender -- We must not surrender to the relentless medical inflation that can bankrupt almost anyone and that may soon break the budgets of government at every level. Let us insist on real controls over what doctors and hospitals can charge, and let us resolve that the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth.


The President, the Vice President, the members of Congress have a medical plan that meets their needs in full, and whenever senators and representatives catch a little cold, the Capitol physician will see them immediately, treat them promptly, fill a prescription on the spot. We do not get a bill even if we ask for it, and when do you think was the last time a member of Congress asked for a bill from the Federal Government? And I say again, as I have before, if health insurance is good enough for the President, the Vice President, the Congress of the United States, then it's good enough for you and every family in America."

Senator Ted Kennedy on April 3, 2008:

President Obama, members of Congress, and those "Americans" who say, "Slow down; you're moving too far too fast." and "Having a government guaranteed plan is not essential to healthcare coverage in this country." I say it is long overdue that we start providing for the common welfare of all of our citizens. The time for talk and debate and "incrementalism" is over.

To quote the bard - "How many deaths will it takes till he knows that too many people have died?"

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue