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HERO

George McGovern is Dead: A Liberal Stalwart and Democratic Presidential Nominee

McGovern is a hero because he made it to 90, just barely, and because he was a power of example in his life for people like me.

For those of us who sniff around the margins of liberalism, the progressive ideal, and then retreat to some level of accommodation with the other side, people like George McGovern are essential. I am a progressive with an instinct for pragmatism which means that I would never become an idealist.

McGovern had no such limitation on his dreams and beliefs. He was a stalwart champion of the downtrodden and disadvantaged. He was suspicious of all forms of big business. Of war machines. Of forces that pushed people down.

He was a champion of the working class and all racial minorities.

As far as I know, he led a blameless life. He was incorruptible.

He was a populist on the other extreme side from someone like Sara Palin and the Tea people. He was a man of the people who believed in freedom for all in actual dollars and cents terms. His was not a spiteful and nasty form of race baiting and divisive rhetoric.

McGovern was a peacemaker. He did not believe that was, particularly the Viet Nam War would solve anything and, what is more, would make "things" worse.

He seemed fearless to me. He was outspoken and let the chips fall where they may.

Did I like him? Not very much. I get annoyed with people like him. But I needed him to be there for me.

George McGovern made it to ninety and had a pretty good ride after his prime. I don't think he went simple. He still spoke out.

Today he would be jeered from the stands by the yahoos and rubes who sit there. Talk about being a socialist! My God. They would have McGovern hung in effigy for his beliefs.

But he was our leader who took the Democratic Party to the left when it needed to be there. His legacy is still there today.

Labels: heroes