There’s a lot of hoopla going on about the potential for Caroline Kennedy to be appointed to the post that will be vacated by Sen. Hillary Clinton when she takes office as secretary of state.
Many of those kicking this idea about the head and shoulders say that Caroline thinks she is entitled to the post because she is a Kennedy — posing that she doesn’t have any substantial credentials.
Of course many of those protesting just don’t like it because they don’t like Democrats. And Kennedys tend to be Democrats. But in fact, they are right that she doesn’t have any noticeable experience, kind of like Sarah Palin who was chosen as the candidate for vice president. She had been the mayor of a town about the size of Sylvester and was governor of a state with less population than Cobb County, Ga.
To be fair, if the shoe was on the other foot and there was the chance of a little-experienced Republican being appointed to a Senate seat, Democrats would be raising just as much ruckus. But Palin wasn’t being appointed. She had to stand for election.
Aside from that issue, we have the Illinois scandal where it is alleged there that the governor was trying to sell the Senate seat that will be vacated by president-elect Barack Obama.
Now here’s a novel idea. In an effort to promote and perpetuate our democratic republic, why don’t we insist that laws be changed that would require a special election to fill these posts, regardless of how they became empty and regardless of the time left in that term.
Yes, it would cost some money to hold an election. But isn’t democracy worth it? If we are willing to sacrifice young men and women on battlefields to “secure” and “spread” democracy, surely the cost of a special election to uplift those principles and ideals would be justified.
By appointing someone to a Senate seat, that person gains the unfair advantage of having incumbent by his or her name when the election does come around. If democracy is truly about our ability to make choices, then the opportunities to make choices should be upheld and expanded, not diminished.
Opinion
The easy answer is not to appoint, but rather to elect
- Opinion
-
-
More data on the Battle of the Bulge
-
Life is a matter of perspectives; think about it
My friend, a city boy, was yelling for help. We were fishing on a river, and he had ventured over to another spot.
“Someone help! I’m cornered!” he yelled. -
We better wake up
Dear editor:
Have our GOP representatives gone to sleep or are they refusing to act for the people they are supposed to represent? The Obama administration has contracted a Spanish company called SCYTAL, to tabulate the 2012 November presidential election. - Rant and Rave for 5/26/12
- Rant and Rave for 5/25/12
-
May God bless my Uncle Henry
My uncle once noted on his return from a fishing trip that he caught so many fish he couldn’t put them all in one pile.
That’s how I feel trying to keep up with all the causes and organizations that either require support groups or else they comprise support groups. -
A kind humanity
Dear editor:
Humanity. One word. That word can translate into many other words. Some would say humanity is dark, greedy and bent on world domination. Others may say humanity is sweet, kind and caring. I myself witnessed a small part of a loving, caring humanity the other day. - Rant and Rave for 5/24/12
-
Why it's a bad tax
Dear editor:
In regards to the Transportation TSplost Tax: The statement, “Economic development suffers if we don’t pass this tax” is not a valid statement, because Georgia has always been behind the 8 ball in regards to transportation, but yet look at the growth we have experienced; being behind in transportation didn't hinder economic growth. Georgia now ranks 11th in the country as of 2010 and this occurred mostly since 1995. The economic vitality of Georgia is alive and well considering the slump the country is in. - Rant and Rave for 5/23/12
- More Opinion Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
