That is the question.

U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy's death is resurrecting all the mythology and memories associated with his forty plus years of Democratic demagoguery.  The factual memories, pleasant and unpleasant, and the manufactured revisions of little slices of history, will linger on in the days and weeks ahead as one asks “what will become of Massachusetts now?” 

Nobody knows just who his successor will turn out to be, but the dirty tricks are surfacing again, taken straight out of the Democratic playbook.

One thing we do know for sure is that liberals have rewritten their agenda to characterize OBAMACARE as the legacy of the Kennedy family, in order to ensure passage. Come hell or high water. 

To make sure that this ‘gels’ the players are getting into position to do their dirty work.  First step: amend the law so Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick (D) can appoint Kennedy’s successor. 

2004 was the year when then Republican Governor Mitt Romney was faced with the decision whether to appoint a successor to U.S. Senator Kerry if Kerry were to win the Presidency.  It was decided rather swiftly by the Republicans, with much pressure added from U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, that the decision belonged to the people of Massachusetts.  And that it would not serve the interests of the people of the Commonwealth to take away their right to a vote.

Republicans agreed, and did the right thing, and so the law was overturned.

It’s worth noting, again, that it happened under U.S. Senator Kennedy’s forceful hand and the strong influence of the democratic leadership in our state at the time.

Now that the Democrats have the Governor's office, all of those same people who were outraged over the prospect of a Republican Governor appointment, are now demanding it back.

Need I say more? I think I do!

Why is this issue so important?  Because giving the tie breaking vote to the Democrats enables them to push through legislation. For this to occur with the help of an appointed politician is an injustice. In fact, it's call it legislative robbery.

And this is precisely what the Democrats in D.C. plan on doing, they are salivating at the thought of pushing government controlled programs down our throats while they work to attain the majority they need in all branches.

A much publicized letter with a July date stamp, purporting to be from Senator Kennedy, is being used to promote this Massachusetts legislative flip flop. It notably calls attention to his staff as being out of a job very soon.  It should be said that a simpler, better way to have handled this whole matter would have been for Senator Kennedy to have resigned in March thus laying the ground work for a proper election, and one sans Gubernatorial appointment.  Strikes me odd to worry about a lack of representation when Kennedy in fact missed 97 percent of the Senate roll-call votes this year.

Republicans did the right thing.  Can the Democrats do the right thing?

Perhaps Governor Patrick will sign his last term eviction notice because if he follows the appointment path, he is sure to find himself unemployed on January 6, 2011.

Let the people decide.

Without manipulation, and with an election, the average citizen and taxpayer is deserving of choosing who Kennedy's successor will be.

I asked the state GOP leadership what their thoughts were on the topic.  

"Changing the rules midstream is inherently unfair and wrong," said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading).  "As a nation of laws we cannot embrace changing this law midstream because the power brokers in Washington want it."

Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei (R) "A special election date has been set, and we should allow the voters of the Commonwealth to choose their next U.S. Senator.  We should not change this law – or any law – every time there’s a change in the corner office."

Jennifer Nassour, Chairman of the Massachusetts Republican Party  said “We’re outraged at the Democrats’ manipulation of the law to grab political power here in Massachusetts. Republicans nationwide—from Texas to Nevada—are contacting me to voice their concern about this hypocrisy.  Democrats cannot change election laws in Massachusetts every time it suits their needs.  Today we launched an on line petition drive and viral Facebook campaign to defend democracy here in the Commonwealth.  I encourage all concerned citizens to sign the petition on our website, and also plan ahead to attend next week’s hearing at the State House’s Gardner Auditorium on Wednesday at 1:00 pm.” 

Activism to preserve the voter's rights is alive and well here in Massachusetts. 

To join the fight, go to the MASS GOP link here.