Well, considering that almost every other state in the nation operates the way Kennedy proposed, in that respects I don't think it was odd. Mass. is one of the few states that leaves a seat empty until a special election can be held (which can take months) instead of letting the governor appoint a temporary replacement until the next regular election. California has been appointing replacements for dead senators since it was a state. I don't recall seeing anyone upset about it or thinking it was a political ploy.

Ah, the last line of this blog is the Republican health care plan in a nutshell. Don't get sick. You left out the part about cutting taxes though. They always want that.

I would also like to add: 

Keep your job or do without.  I would certainly hope that you would never consider taking unemployment.

Don't get hurt or do without.  I would certainly hope that you would never consider taking disability.

Don't retire unless you have full medical benefits or do without.  I would certainly hope you would never consider taking Medicare.

Don't retire without a comprehensive retirement plan or do without.  I would certainly hope you would never consider taking social security.

These are all programs run by the government which, as you know, can't run anything unless a Republican is president.

The world is saved. Chicken head is on his way.

Keep your job or do without.  I would certainly hope that you would never consider taking unemployment.

Why?  I paid for  the unemployment coverage.

Don't get hurt or do without.  I would certainly hope that you would never consider taking disability.

Why?  I paid for the unemployment disability.

Don't retire unless you have full medical benefits or do without.  I would certainly hope you would never consider taking Medicare.

Medicare does not provide full medical benefits.  It is also paid for from my paychecks.

Don't retire without a comprehensive retirement plan or do without.  I would certainly hope you would never consider taking social security.

SS is not a comprehensive retirement plan.  If it was, it would be shutdown for being a ponzi scheme. If your are under 45, you will never get what you put into it...

mexico,

Because those are socialist programs. You know programs that you are forced to pay for. Yet you may never draw a dime in benefits from them.

mexico,

During the Reagan years it was said that we would never get our money back from social security. But Reagan made a small premium change and wa la. I am doing very well with my SS disability payments.

No reason the same can't be done for the future of SS.

If Reagan can do it. Anybody can.

You know programs that you are forced to pay for. Yet you may never draw a dime in benefits from them.

You mean like SS?

No reason the same can't be done for the future of SS.

And how would that be??  More people are drawing benefits from SS than are putting into the system.  ANd the ratio will get worse.  So tell me who is going to be paying for my SS benefits in 20 years??

I think were the problem with the Mass. thing is in 2004 Romney was going to have to appoint someone sine Kerry ran for president & if he won the seat would be open. The Democrates in the state changes the appointing a senator thing to say we need a special election to fill the seat since Romney would have almost certainly appointed a conservative to the seat. They changed the process to the special election & now that the shoe is on the other foot the Democrates want to change it back to were they can appoint someone to the seat instead of vote in a special election. Why change it now? is it because what's good for the goose isn't good for the gander or what? If they want to change it, vote on it now (since that is what is in place) & after the person is in the seat then vote to change it back to an appointment. Sounds fair to me, but then again I don't live there, it's worse than Kalifornistan for the things I like to do.

As far as the healthcare thing why not let the people vote for it? Seems he only fair way to do it. Let the people decide not our polititians that it won't affect anyway since they get the best of the best for free anyway. Just my opinion.

mexico,

Yes, all those programs you said you have a right to draw. But complain about every day.

For your info. The population of America is growing. And more and more Baby boomers are dieing. The currant off balance will not continue for ever. 

Of course just like any well run business there will have to be a SS premium increase.

If Reagan can do it. anybody can.

Just for the sake of keeping it real, employees do not pay into unemployment funds...the employer does.  Now, you might consider it a bennie, but it doesn't come out of your paycheck.

Sorry bout that part Ron, but on all else I think you're on the money so to speak.