A Complicated Life

(From CBS2School)
Like Senator Ted Kennedy, representative democracy has led a complicated American life.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1962, Kennedy became the model for what some of our Constitutional Framers envisioned as the best way to serve the Republic. But others contend that this unbeatable incumbent reflected a darker side of our democracy when entrenched politicians stay in power for decades.

While serving as lawmakers, elected representatives must constantly weigh two sides when casting each of their legislative votes.

On one side, the delegates attempt to vote identical to popular will.

These representatives keep a close watch on opinion polls and will often consult their constituents for guidance as to the stance that a majority of voters.

Critics contend that the popular democracy which flavors the delegate approach can water down bold initiatives and give too much power to the masses.

The delegate approach to representation can also result in a legislator who waivers in between two ideological camps. American popular opinion often sits on the fence between ideological extremes, and representatives voting with the delegate approach often gain the reputations of being politically independent.

Ted Kennedy was no delegate.

Kennedy was a classic example of a legislator who votes as a trustee.

He was one of 23 Senators who voted against the war in Iraq when nearly 70% of Americans favored war. He consistently used this trustee approach to vote his conscience, not to cater to public will.

Kennedy often spoke about working for the common good when it came to expanding the role of the federal government into education and healthcare. And he advocated for the marginalized in pushing for expanded protections of ethnic minorities and homosexuals.

Some of our Framers might have seen Ted Kennedy as their model of legislator who could avoid voting with special interests and vote for the common good. But conservatives in Massachusetts who opposed his ideas, would likely say that Kennedy’s approach left them without a voice in the Senate since 1962.

Regardless, it’s important to remember Kennedy apart from his brothers and his prominent political family.

Kennedy should also be remembered as another one of the prolific members of Congress from Massachusetts. And like John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Daniel Webster, Kennedy’s public service offers much for us to reflect about the complexities of our Republic.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/person.xpd?id=300059