Kohut is deeply concerned by a lack of moderation in our political landscape.<br /><br />Ted Kennedy: I'm basically a hopeful and optimistic person. In many respects, as long as Americans are going to be involved and engaged, I don't think it [the US political system] will be broken. <br />I think when it is really kind of threatened is when Americans lose interest, lose involvement, lose engagement. And it does seem to me this particular year [i.e. 2007]-- as we're coming into the presidential year [i.e. 2008] -- the energy, and the liveliness, and the enthusiasm -- particularly on our side, the Democratic side and the Democratic candidates -- is very alive, and very involved. The polls reflect it, but all you have to do is see the turnouts of people that are turning out and involved and engaged. And I think that's the most positive indicator in terms of the strength of our democracy. I think that that's something that we have to gauge. <br />I don't want to extend this answer too long, but I remember very well when finally democracy came to South Africa, and there was a person that had been waiting in line, and a journalist inquired and said, "How long have you been waiting in line? And now you're going to vote." And he said, "I've been waiting in line for 78 hours." Seventy-eight hours standing and waiting in line. <br />And then the journalist said, "Well how old are you?" And he says, "I'm 78 years old, and I'm going to stay in line until I can vote." <br />We too frequently take the right to vote, and take our responsibilities -- and I think it's the responsibilities of leadership, of citizenship -- we take them too much for granted. We're in for the ride and not for the work, and that I think is something we have to be reminded of. <br /> <br />Recorded on: September 14, 2007<br /><br />Ted Kennedy: I'm basically a hopeful and optimistic person. In many respects, as long as Americans are going to be involved and engaged, I don't think it [the US political system] will be broken. <br />I think when it is really kind of threatened is when Americans lose interest, lose involvement, lose engagement. And it does seem to me this particular year [i.e. 2007]-- as we're coming into the presidential year [i.e. 2008] -- the energy, and the liveliness, and the enthusiasm -- particularly on our side, the Democratic side and the Democratic candidates -- is very alive, and very involved. The polls reflect it, but all you have to do is see the turnouts of people that are turning out and involved and engaged. And I think that's the most positive indicator in terms of the strength of our democracy. I think that that's something that we have to gauge. <br />I don't want to extend this answer too long, but I remember very well when finally democracy came to South Africa, and there was a person that had been waiting in line, and a journalist inquired and said, "How long have you been waiting in line? And now you're going to vote." And he said, "I've been waiting in line for 78 hours." Seventy-eight hours standing and waiting in line. <br />And then the journalist said, "Well how old are you?" And he says, "I'm 78 years old, and I'm going to stay in line until I can vote." <br />We too frequently take the right to vote, and take our responsibilities -- and I think it's the responsibilities of leadership, of citizenship -- we take them too much for granted. We're in for the ride and not for the work, and that I think is something we have to be reminded of. <br /> <br />Recorded on: September 14, 2007
