Demeaning Intelligence
Dear Mr. Kennedy,
I am offended by your recent editorial, “Demeaning Democracy.” I take offense primarily because it is demeaning to the intelligence of all Americans who actually understand our government.
You stated that “the primary reminded us of the miracle of our democracy, in which the nation is ruled by its people”
I would think that those expensive schools your father sent you to would have taught you that our form of government is a Constitutional Republic, not a democracy. I would think that you, of all people, with your extremist views and desire to make our government a one stop shop for all needs, great and small, would understand the difference. Especially since many of the framers of the Constitution were afraid of the dangers of majority rule.
In constitutional theory and in modern historical usages… the word “democracy” refers solely to direct democracy, whilst a representative democracy where representatives of the people govern in accordance with a constitution is referred to as a republic.
-Wikipedia
It is also absurd for you to think that what you are doing is any different from Dick Cheney. It is quite obvious that Cheney’s words were political. He is trying to make a point for his party. It is quite obvious that you are no different. But through the trees, we can see the forest. Your actions speak louder than your words, Mr. Kennedy. And your actions say that you are more concerned with maintaining your cushy seat of power than you are with the actual people you represent.
Here is where I felt you insulted the intelligence of the people most of all:
Cheney and his crowd are all for free and open elections - as long as
they turn out their way. They are all for free speech - provided it
supports the administration. They are all for the rule of law - as long
as the law does not prevent them from doing whatever they want to do… I can think of no
graver offense against our democracy.
With very little change to the bulk of the text and thought, we could just change the beginning of this paragraph from “Cheney and his crowd” to “Kennedy and his crowd.” How else could one explain your ability to be re-elected following so many political embarassments of a personal nature. It is clear you also are for the rule of law, but only when it supports you. How else could one explain that you never were held accountable for your responsibility vis a vis Mary Jo Kopechne.
Here is what I think a better version of that paragraph would have been:
My friends and I (Ted Kennedy) are all for free and open elections - as long as I get re-elected. I am for free speech - so long as it does not offend me. I am for alternative forms of energy - as long as you don’t build a wind farm within view of my Hyannisport mansion. And the rule of law? I am in full support of that, so long as I don’t have to ever serve a day in prison for manslaughter, reckless homiside, DUI, or anything else related to Chappaquiddick. I can think of no graver offense against the intelligence of the American people.
[ Read Kennedy's complete editorial here ]
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