Thank You, Mr. Kennedy

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One of the reasons I am an unswerving Democrat (other than the obvious fact I really don’t agree with any current Republican philosophy) comes from my observations at fundraising events I’ve had to work over the years. The most memorable was over a decade ago when Paul Celucci was running for MA governor against Scott Harshbarger. Both of them hosted parties to raise money at Higgins. I was nothing but an invisible peon in charge of shielding the armor from curious fingertips.

I remember taking shifts at the front desk during both parties. I watched the guests come and go. Celucci didn’t even show up for his. He sent Jane Swift in his stead. Harshbarger came on crutches with a torn Achilles tendon. (If you’ve ever seen the stairs at Higgins, you’d appreciate that even more). The Celucci party had an air about them. They didn’t care about the people who worked the event. They didn’t care about the people working for them. Jane Swift left after twenty minutes and didn’t turn to smile at anyone on the way out the door. Harshbarger’s campaign was very people friendly. I spent half my night talking to his people. And it wasn’t about politics. I was more sheepish about my opinions of religion and the government then. I was professional enough to know that both were paying customers, so I steered away from a conversation that showed my preference. But that staff was engaged and thoughtful and curious. They paid attention to everyone. This observation was something that resonated with me. Perhaps because at that point we had a vile manager who treated us peons with disregard for our intelligence and our feelings. I never forgot the difference between the right and the left and how they treated people who worked to make things happen for them.

Today is a sad day of Massachusetts history. We lost a Kennedy. If not the Kennedy of our state’s legislative history. I believe in a lot of his causes. Obviously. But what struck me as I couldn’t tear myself away from the footage on Channel 5 this morning is that Ted Kennedy upheld that attitude that I admire in my political party. He appreciated the little people. He paid attention to the tiny voices and did what he could to give them a voice.

Now, he isn’t a saint. Obviously there was alcohol and some pretty notorious scandals. In high school, my historic curiosity went through a Kennedy phase. I read about all their tragedy that may or may not have been the result of Gloria Swanson cursing Joe Sr. That really doesn’t matter. Because there was a lot of sadness in that family. There has been a lot of sadness that they have caused through their bad choices. But they have also made the choice not to wallow in the aftermath. They’ve taken up their crosses and fought for the little people. Not just their fellow rich.

You may agree or disagree with Ted Kennedy. I agree with him and I hope that his passing will inspire this country to pass health care as his legacy. But more than that, I hope that people will look at Ted Kennedy and see the man who listened and appreciated. Who, in spite of the fact half his siblings died tragically, decided that his life was still good enough to be in a position to make other lives better. Because at the end of the day, we can’t all go to Washington and pass a bill. But we can all turn around and say thank you to the people who help us. Democrat or Republican.