Posted on 04/15/2008 1:55:06 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Rep. Kennedy Says Mental Health, Drug History Makes Him Stronger Advocate
Tuesday , April 15, 2008
AP
WASHINGTON — Rep. Patrick Kennedy says his personal struggles to recover from depression, alcoholism and substance abuse have made him a more compelling advocate in Congress for improved mental health care coverage.
The Rhode Island Democrat, a son of Sen. Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, played a leading role winning House passage last month on a bill to expand coverage for people needing mental health and addiction treatment.
"My own story gave a lot of my colleagues a comfort level to tell me their own stories, privately," he said in a recent telephone interview with The Associated Press. "In the process it tied them into this debate personally in ways I think that gave traction to this legislation early on."
Kennedy, 40, crashed his car into a Capitol barricade in the middle of the night nearly two years ago, and agreed to a plea deal on a charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. He speaks publicly about his own recovery in hopes of ending the stigma of mental illness that prevents people from seeking treatment.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
After he kills someone, he’ll be untouchable!
I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Democrats suck.
If a preponderance of our Congresscritters are alcholics and drug addicts, that explains a lot.
Well, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Uncle swimmer is an expert on alcohol, that is for sure!
And yet, nobody can defeat this clown because he’s a Kennedy. Sigh.
Amazing that those who establish the rule of laws for us couldn’t do our jobs SD..... can ya imagine the reliability / security issues this POS would raise just in the military and SHOULD raise in CONGRESS ?
Doom on these losers........never re-elect anyone !
What do you mean History? I know someone who sees Kennedy on government business often and Im told that Kennedy is rarely coherent much less sober.
Having been voted “The Dumbest Member of Congress” year after year by the Congressional staff (quite something when you consider the Sanchez sisters), Patrick Kennedy...son of Joan and an unknown bar patron...continues to make words though the Universe yawns.
Hunter S. Thompson said it best: “I wouldn’t recommend sex, drugs or insanity for everyone, but they’ve always worked for me.”
That or something similar has got to be the Kennedy family motto.
“Rep. Patrick Kennedy says his personal struggles to recover from depression, alcoholism and substance abuse have made him a more compelling advocate in Congress for improved mental health care coverage.”
Should have said;
“Living in the Kennedy family gave me the depression, alcoholism and substance abuse I had to overcome.”
I think Kennedy should get the socialized-medicine treatment he wants to force on the rest of us. It might actually teach him something.
Going by this train of thought... 
Charles Manson should be the next Democrat Attorney General!
And Ted Kennedy as the pool life guard and driving instructor.
Kennedy and all the other weak links in Congress should be publicly stigmatized for their actions. We need to bring back a higher level of shame. Clean ‘em out and then maybe more people of real substance who won’t mind sharing space together on Capitol Hill will run for office. No doubt these limpwristed saps are pawns for others to play with, the same ones who pull the strings to keep them in Washington.
Struggles? Nonsense.
Nobody made Mr. Kennedy swallow, sniff, and/or inject those substances.
Mr. Kennedy, you are NOT a victim!
You are a willing participant.
I also notice that you say nothing about personal responsibility, self control, or the inner strength that comes from character.
Typical Kennedy weakling, you are.
There is some truth to this. Look at Teddy. After drunk driving and murdering a young girl, he is way more powerful and influential now.
Now you’re talking.
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