Avoiding government by pedigree

San Diego Union Tribune via The Washington Post ^ | December 19, 2008 | Charles Krauthammer

[BAW]

“I don't know what Caroline Kennedy's qualifications are. Except that she has name recognition, but so does J-Lo.” – Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y.

Right idea, wrong argument. The problem with Caroline Kennedy's presumption to Hillary Clinton's soon-to-be-vacated Senate seat is not lack of qualification or experience. The Senate houses lots of inexperienced rookies – wealthy members of the business community, sports stars, even the occasional actor. The problem is Kennedy's sense of entitlement. Given her rather modest achievements, she is trading entirely on pedigree.

I hate to be a good government scold, but wasn't the American experiment a rather firm renunciation of government by pedigree?

Yes, the Founders were not democrats. They believed in aristocracy. But their idea was government by natural – not inherited – aristocracy, an aristocracy of “virtue and talents,” as Jefferson put it.

And yes, of course, we have our own history of dynastic succession: Adamses and Harrisons, and in the last century, Roosevelts, Kennedys and Bushes. Recently, we've even branched out into Argentine-style marital transmission, as in the Doles and the Clintons.

[BAW]

"No lords or ladies here. If Princess Caroline wants a seat in the Senate, let her do it by election. There's one in 2010. To do it now by appointment on the basis of bloodline is an offense to the most minimal republicanism. Every state in the union is entitled to representation in the Senate. Camelot is not a state. "

The Seante seems to be turning into the family business for some families other than the Kennedies. Krauthammer is on the money here!

[ensignbay]

She’s a Democrat, thus has a sense of entitlement. It’s in Dem’s genes, not to mention the Kennedy’s genes.

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/we-demand-true-conservative-leadership.html

[anniegetyourgun]

I’m beginning to wonder how conservative writers, pundits, broadcasters, etc. will survive in the future. After all, it appears they are just arm-waving and gum-flapping. It’s all for naught when the lib/dems own it all.

[Emperor Palpatine]

We should go after Camelot Barbie’s qualifications the same way the ‘Rats went after Sarah Palin.

Consider it payback.

[YOUGOTIT]

The Royal 100 Club is made up of Royals so she should not have a problem.

Repeal the 17th Amendment so we can get some real Americans in and return to the US Senate and not the Royal 100 Club.

[FFranco]

Let’s not allow this to be used against Republicans. Remember Jeb Bush is considering running for the Senate, and he’ll probably win unless this pedigree issue works against him.

[This_far]

No term limits either (ain’t that ironic?).

[pnh102]

Jennifer Lopez is far more qualified to be a Senator than Caroline Kennedy. At least Lopez had to work for her success.

[Jennikins]

**Let’s not allow this to be used against Republicans. Remember Jeb Bush is considering running for the Senate, and he’ll probably win unless this pedigree issue works against him.**

I hope it does! No more Bushes, please, ever!

[mc5cents]

True, the Brits did it that way for centuries, but with characteristic honesty. They established a house of Parliament exclusively for highborn twits and ensconced them there for life. There they chatter away in supreme irrelevance deep into their dotage. Problem is that the U.S. Senate retains House of Commons powers even as it develops a House of Lords membership.

Funny, just the other day I was telling my wife that the senate is our version of the House Of Lords.

Article I Sec. III established the Senate to represent the States. The House of Representatives was to represent the people. All well and good. Then we decided via the XVII Amendment that the people should elect the Senators and not the state legislators. They left in place the six year term however. That give the two state senators great leverage in perpetuating their power. They can do stupid things for 4 or 5 of the six years and still get elected again just because they have been there for so long and they can accumulate lots of money for re-election. I am always amused that both of the Amendments passed in 1913 were abominations. The other was of course the XVI Amendment which gave congress the power the tax incomes "...from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration."
1913 was a very bad year.

[FFranco]

**Let’s not allow this to be used against Republicans. Remember Jeb Bush is considering running for the Senate, and he’ll probably win unless this pedigree issue works against him.**

I hope it does! No more Bushes, please, ever!

---

So, you want another Dim in the Senate instead of Jeb because you don’t like his brother. Sure, makes a lot of sense.

[Let's Roll]

I heard - did not see - her appearance at the DNC was under-whelming.

[Jennikins]

For me, it doesn’t matter if it is a Democrat or Republican. It’s what they do what counts. As far as our lastest presidential candidate, I thik we are going from the frying pan to the fire. The latest appointment of Hilda Solice as Labor Secretary means we are going to be up the creek as far as illegal immigration is concerned.