Have you ever been in a situation where you work your ass of for

[WCGreen]

a company, you know, staying late, taking extra courses so that you can better serve the company and your career? Have you gone through all of that, the hard work, the discipline it takes to best serve that company and then, all of a sudden, the presidents son, who never even worked on weekends or summer, graduates from college and is promptly put in a high position, the one you had your eye on down the road, just because, well he is the presidents son.

Did you ever run for office, admittedly the best candidate on your side of the aisle and all of a sudden, a guy whose dad or mom or uncle use to hold that office emerges from nowhere and suddenly you are out there in the cold. Or worse, the guy comes out of nowhere but he has the same name as the person who once sat in the seat you have been striving for.

So much for having an equal chance in this world. So much for meritocracy.

And yet here we are, a so-called party ot the people, and almost half the people are willing to suddenly embrace Caroline Kennedy and elevate her into the Senate.

I have a big problem with this.

I live in a county where judges are elected. In the last few rounds of elections, three children of former judges are now sitting on the bench. At least fifteen others got into office simply because they have a good political name. Our judicial system is in tatters.

You know what, for all I know, Caroline Kennedy could be the second coming of Daniel Webster. But let her be tested before everyone goes gaga over her. Appoint someone to the seat and let her gear up, raise money and run for the office in two years.

[Fed_Up_Grammy]

1. Extraordinary post ! Thanks.

[LaydeeBug]

2. yep. It's how half the staffers in DC are hired...

they are the trust fund babies of judges, well connected attorneys and board members, and no one gives a shit about your ten plus years of activism experience. It happens all. the. time.

And on our side too.

[arcadian]

25. Isn't that how Monika Lewinsky got in?

Didn't her folks know somebody?

[Sebastian Doyle]

3. Well, about 8 years ago, some guy's idiot drunken son decided he wanted to be President

He lost the election but ended up with the job anyway :( (Thanks in part to his brother who decided he wanted to be a governor)

And then earlier this year, somebody's wife (who already had become the Senator of a state she never lived in) decided she wanted to be President. And "18 million fucking people" didn't have a problem with that. (Thankfully more than that number DID.)

So why the specific call out of Caroline Kennedy? And would you call out Andrew Cuomo in the same way?

[WCGreen]

6. At least Cuomo has won an election...

But yes, I still have a problem with people thinking politics is the family business.

It's the people's business.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

4. I've never been in that particular situation...

But you know what you're talking about...

And I agree.

Let her run in a couple of years.

Let's test her the right way...


K&R

[valerief]

5. I don't really care. I just want to see this country have decent jobs again. nt

[EC]

7. Still and all, hasn't Caroline Kennedy done enough

community work and public service to qualify as a Senator?

[fla nocount]

16. So have I and many others here, I don't want the job though.

It gets mighty cold up there and the air is bad for your lungs...folks talk funny too and I hear that they charge you to drive on roads built with public money. Caroline can have it...I wouldn't fit in.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

8. However

if she agrees to simply serve the remainder of Clinton's term, doesn't that give someone else who does not have a "name" the chance to build up his/her organization so that they can fight for the nomination and then win in the general election?

Don't know NY politics that well, but if there are several "up and comers" and TPTB can't decide which should get the nod, doing it this way makes sense.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. Kicking this for the Greatest Page...

:kick:

[Sanity Claws]

10. But part of the job of a politician is fundraising

Being connected through family and having a well recognized and respected name makes the candidate better at fundraising than the person who has been slogging in the trenches for the past ten years.
Sad but true.
This shows how remarkable Obama's victory was. He came from an extremely modest background and will soon be inaugurated as President.

[WCGreen]

18. That's the point...

We no longer have to rely on a small group of wealthy friends...

[femrap]

11. If John Kennedy, Jr. were

still alive and wanting the Senate seat, I don't think you would have thought much about it....telling him 'gear up.'

I bet you don't even know what she has been doing in her life. I find your opinion one of unconscious sexism. To ask you to think about that for a bit and honestly face your opinion.

No woman is ever experienced enough for a job, is she?

[guruoo]

14. My first thought as well n/t

[WCGreen]

19. I am so glad that you are powerful enough to read my mind...

You must have a very large hula hoop to be able to jump to such conclusions.

Anyway, to address your point, I would be just as uncomfortable with John Jr. as I am with Carolyn.

If you really took the time to read what I was saying, you would notice that I was gender neutral. But, not to belabor a point, most of the slugs that are now sitting on the bench are men.

But then again, people see what they want to see.

BTW, my very first job in politics was working for the woman minority whip in the Ohio House of Representative. She was a great boss and I admired her tenacity to go against the good old boy network and grab onto a leadership position. This was back in 1978...

[femrap]

30. I've seen so many males get jobs in which that they have

absolutely no experience. Yet, no one bats an eye. He's a male, he deserves the job.

Goody for you that you had a woman boss that you admired....and wow it was 30 years ago. Have you been hiring women?

Regarding your comment 'people see what they want to see.' I see lots of males bosses and very, very few women in those positions. Are you telling me I can't see?

[guruoo]

22. Clarification, and apologies to WCGreen...

Actually, my first thought was only that we probably wouldn't be seeing John's creds questioned if he was the one whose name was being floated for this Senate seat. That's all. I was in a hurry when I posted that response, and didn't realize that it would be viewed that I was also agreeing with the poster's accusation of sexism.

My fault here.
I apologize for the misunderstanding.

[newtothegame]

12. I agree...

But I also understand a parents desire to get far enough where they can make their childrens' journies easier than theirs was. Doesn't make it right, but I understand their motivation.

[2Design]

13. lets see we have had any number of unqualified people without

a heart take positions - arnold, bushes, other actors, all republicans, etc - so what is your problem - she is intelligent, connected, comes from a great family who has done more for this country than the clintons, the bushes, and any number of other people

[Lex]

15. Right or wrong, it's called LIFE.

And it is sometimes not fair.

[WCGreen]

20. I understand completely but that doesn't mean I have to like it

nor do I have to just stand by without at least saying something about a situation that I find disturbing.

[rvablue]

17. While I am not entirley against the CK idea, this is one of the best posts

I've read all month and may just change my opinion.

My one concern about CK is whether she can weather a campaigan challenger in 2010....but you have made some additional and very important points.

Thanks for posting them.

[bridgit]

21. You; are; on it, my friend - k&r'd...

:kick:

[zorahopkins]

23. Good-Looking People Have All The Advantages!

The thing I notice is that good-looking people get ALL the breaks.

They get the best jobs and everything.

I uuasn't born uuith nice cheekbones and gorgeous eyes, so I don't get the breaks (and the money) that good-looking people get.

It just isn't fair!

Note: In protest of the continuing occupation of OUR Uuhite House by the illegal and totally corrupt Bush/Cheney regime of thugs and cronies, I REFUSE to use the letter betuueen "V" and "X". Instead, I use a "double U", as in "Uuhite House".

[LanternWaste]

24. While I'm not quick to embrace her...

While I'm not quick to embrace her as some are, neither am I quick to dismiss her as some are.

[moondust]

26. Same page.

I'm mainly disappointed with Caroline for doing this.

[teverton1]

27. i agree

i agree

[southernyankeebelle]

28. I know what you mean

It shouldn't be that way in politics that is for sure. In a private business the man has a right to put whoever he wants at the top. If his child doesn't do well they I am willing to bet the boss (dad) will be getting him out of the position.

[Iodine99]

29. Caroline

Why not appoint her instead of someone else? She graduated from Yale and also Harvard, so she is smart. She is also decent. After she is appointed, then when her term is up SHE can run for the position.
I say let her be the Senator from N Y. She has been a good, upstanding person.

[Divine Discontent]

31. powerful post - I will only say this about Caroline, however

in her case I would make an exception - she shows such grace, strength and fortitude, and most importantly for me, her president father was murdered - it's an extreme situation, so if big wig politicians think she's capable, I say let her get it and prove it over the next 2 years. But, in everyday situations I FULLY concur with you, no matter the circumstance - it's shameful what goes on in workplaces and govt - it's no different in many ways to how India has their different classes.

These designs on dozens of different shirts, button, stickers, mugs & more! http://www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable/1434671