In Perspective, Planet: The Lion Dies

[Gary Ayala]

Ted Kennedy

"... In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight..."

 

[Asher Kelman]

Champion of Social Justice

Ted Kennedy

"... In the jungle, the mighty jungle, the lion sleeps tonight..."

It's quite heartening that from an aggressive, even ruthless father came a bunch of boys, each growing up to push social values for the poor and the less powerful. Despite the great privilege and obvious temptation to just be a famous rich person, each Kennedy rose above plain selfishness, (that can consume the rich), and held up a flame for others to follow.

Edward Kennedy devoted himself to people so far removed from his wealth and status in society. I believe it was due to values instilled by Rose Kennedy that finally won over the ruthless selfishness of the father as an example for the children to follow. Edward championed the rights of the working man and the poor. All this with a fervent loyalty to his political party and a love for the common man.

It's the ability to have civilization rise us above our selfish passions that marks the enlightened men and women we so desperately need. Edward was a fighter and indeed a Lion for social justice. His legacy will endure.

Asher

 

[Gary Ayala]

Well said Asher ... regardless of one's political leanings, Ted Kennedy was a significant force in US politics ... the Lion of the Senate moniker is not an over statement.

Gary

 

[Asher Kelman]

Well said Asher ... regardless of one's political leanings, Ted Kennedy was a significant force in US politics ... the Lion of the Senate moniker is not an over statement.

Gary

Gary,

Ted Kennedy's passing could be a rallying point for health care reform. Those with a good income, good health and fortune have likely the very best health care system in the world available to them. However, with an illness, loss of a job and repeated calls on the insurance system, that umbrella can vanish. For many, the coverage start and far less. So what's Kennedy concerned about? After all we have the highest standard of medical technology anywhere? Ignore Fox News and their so called "Town Meetings". They haven't a clue! These is a small part of the problems we are facing:

• The market for health care delivery is not a free one.
  
  
• Doctor's prices are not based on competition but on a referral system that excluded competition though networks of cross referring physicians and so prices are kept high.
  
  
• Even the modality of treatment of cancer can be based merely on the physicians alliances and not evidence based medicine.
  
  
• Expensive diagnostic and treatment machines might go to sleep often by 6 pm and remain switched off until 7:30 am the next day. This means that the procedures are delayed and each costs more.
  
  
• Hospitals run as charities compete unfairly with state or commercial systems and that profit could be funneled to religious groups.
  
  
• From thursday night, some HMO physician administrator is doing ward rounds in the hospital looking to kick out patients who might stay the weekend and incur more costs, but likely he might not know
  even one of them!
  
  
• All health care providers work to maximize their financial return.
  
  
• There's no universal national data base to compare modes of treatment and effectiveness. This in spite of the fact that where studies are made through cooperating medical institutions, major advances are realized. If all health care was on a national database, we'd accelerate our understanding of disease. If this was linked to a genome data base, that would be even better.
  
  
• Drug prices are exploitative. Chemicals costing pennies are sold at massive profit even when discovered in public funded universities. So called research costs are inflated.
  
  
• The commercial system rewards greed and parsimonious delivery of the most expensive services.
  
  
• Meanwhile a large percentage of the working poor have no health care!

So I believe that health care reform is due and is Kennedy's legacy to have us work on this difficult task. It's simply a matter of putting quality care above greed. Getting a system that works is going to be a monumental challenge.

First on the list would be to get all the drugs at Canadian prices!

Asher

Current American Health care is based on "What we can do!" and so a lot of folk do get expert care. Kennedy asked for more. He asks us to look outside our walled social compounds. He asks for care not to be based on what we can do but rather on what we should do! That's his fight and his legacy and only that is what's moral and right!

 

[Asher Kelman]

It's some time since we had someone vocal and absolutely honest talking, explaining and rallying us on how we should treat each other. While Matin Luther King taught from the point of view of religion, Ted Kennedy looked from the standpoint of fairness and humanity. How do we manage to take care of ourselves and loved ones when sick? We have "for profit" industry and so called "not for profit" hospital chains competing for our healthcare dollar.

But when one is ill, one has less resources! Should everything be based on a commercial market? I think not. We must see each other primarily as human beings with talents and needs not just clients or customers. This is what Ted Kennedy spoke about.

So if you have pictures on health care, this would be a great place and tribute!

Asher