May 22, 2008
I was watching MSNBC yesterday, which I do generally, and among others they had Mike Barnacle on as a talking head. The question was thrown out as to what Teddy Kennedy would be doing with his remaining time (in the Senate). Barnacle, a fan of Teddy and who operates out of Boston, offered a lengthy agenda that Kennedy would undertake to enact or at least sponsor legislation so that his name would be on each Bill (for posterity). The agenda included: universal health care, education, more head start and immigration reform legislation before he throws in the towel. No one on the panel disagreed because Teddy would be working on his legacy. MY OPINION AT THIS POINT: and on the legacy of any other Kennedy who comes along and undoubtedly there will be one or more, i.e. Caroline who probably has her eye on the Presidency now that Hillary has laid the groundwork.
Since no one on the panel raised the obvious question, I must. Who will pay for Teddy's legacy? Teddy will be long gone and unless we are very diligent, it will be US (no not the United States , but US (we).
The Kennedys are the most successful practitioners of the art of "spin". If we are not careful we, the taxpayers, with hearts full of compassion will once again be sucked in by all the weeping and taken for an expensive ride.
The second item to watch will be Teddy's will if it is ever probated. I am just cynical enough to believe that almost every single penny will be tied up in one Trust or Foundation or another and not one red cent will be paid in estate (death) taxes. The Kennedys did not get to be multi millionaires by paying for their own legacies.
If you find this a little rough, I remind you that the blog title is "As I See It".