A message from Honorable Senator Edward Kennedy

[lonestarnot]

This week we marked the start of a new and better era for America.

On Tuesday, voters across the country entrusted Democrats with control of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, and we intend to do our best to fulfill this responsibility.

Now, with the blessing of the people of Massachusetts, I begin a new term as U.S. Senator. The challenges we face are great, and there is much work ahead of us. But with new majorities in the Senate and the House, we have a very real opportunity to put America back on track.

One of our highest priorities will be to work with the Administration to change our course in Iraq and end this continuing nightmare in our foreign policy.

Here at home, one of our first orders of business will be to give working families in America the raise they deserve by increasing the minimum wage. Sadly, the Republican-controlled Congress blocked every attempt to raise the minimum wage in recent years even though they voted to increase their own salaries every year.

It's time to fix our ailing education system.

Protect Social Security.

Provide health care for every American.

Fix Medicare Part D and end the notorious "donut hole" that is trapping millions of seniors in excessive drug costs.

I can't begin to describe how delighted we are to do this hard work.

It won't be easy. But I know -- and all of my newly-elected Democratic colleagues know -- that we're all in this together.

I can't wait to get started.

Thank you so much for your support that did so much to make this new era possible in the nation and for its people.

[William769]

1. As always Senator Kennedy

Heres to you! :toast:

[Eurobabe]

2. Good re: medicare part D, my mom will be happy about that!

Thanks Ted!!

[sallyseven]

3. Now Ted, make sure that the people who have been elected

respect the american public and behave themselves. No grandstanding. Thoughtful, introspection of the what the American people think the goals should be. We have been through a nightmare and have a way to go. Stellar behavior on the part of the democrats will go along way to change the attitude of the american public. Not the repuks but the indys and conservative democrats. Lets not get cocky and spoil it for the honest people who just want to live, work and be reasonably happy.

[antigop]

4. Hey, Ted -- you destroyed pensions -- yeah, you, Ted

Yeah, Ted, I'm talking to you.

You're the one who sold us out on the pension bill.

Yeah, Ted -- you're the one who is supposed to be for working folks.

Yeah, Ted -- you were one of the chief negotiators of the pension bill.

SO WHY DID YOU SELL US OUT, TED? WHY?

http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00230

Don't try to fix anything else, Ted. You sold us out on pensions. We don't need you selling us out on anything else.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

8. WTF

He voted with 98% of his party...

Ted Kennedy has been a tireless advocate for progressive causes before most of us were born.

[antigop]

9. Just ask anyone who has a pension (or did have a pension)

Ask them what they think of the pension bill.

Ted and most of the Senate Dems sold us out.

It's an awful bill. The House Dems gave us much, much more support.

Kennedy was one of the chief negotiators on the pension bill in the Senate.

Yeah, he sold us out all right.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

5. Kennedy needs to retire in four years.

I love the guy like a brother, but he's said this will be his last term, and retiring will allow Massachusetts's new Democratic governor to appoint a replacement, who will then have two years to show what he/she can do before earning a term in his/her own right.

[Diane R]

6. Thank you, Senator Kennedy.

Edward Kennedy has been a tireless worker on our behalf for decades and he's lead us through some of our very darkest hours. I hope this isn't his last term. He's a true american.

[theboss]

7. Well, there's your agenda

And I can live with it.

[earth mom]

10. Love the Kennedys! I'm glad he's still in office!

:loveya: