FLAIT

I was very much saddened by the passing of Molly Ivins.

I've been reading her columns for years and always looked forward to the next one. Maybe it was because we thought very much alike. For instance, I've always used the term "legalized bribery" to describe the corrupt campaign finance system we have in this country and did a double take when she used that exact same phrase.

Also, I believe that the only way to get the money out of the political process is to ban political campaign advertising. Well, so did she. No other columnist, and certainly no politician, has had the nerve to call for such a drastic, but long overdue measure.

Molly's passion for competence, accountability, responsibility and most of all, honesty from our elected officials - Republican and Democratic - was why her columns were such a pleasure to read. And Molly was a true patriot too (unlike the phonies who wrap themselves up in the flag and Ronald Reagan) because she could recite the Preamble to the Constitution standing on her head. And Molly not only knew what it meant, and what We the People meant, but she kept reminding her readers of it all the time, literally.

Another of Molly's wonderful gifts was that she had a lot of common sense. So much so, that should could tie most of it behind her back still beat the Republicans at every argument.

America didn't just lose a brilliant, witty, insightful and delightful political columnist. We lost a great American. If only the world had more people like Molly Ivins.

So long, Molly. You'll be missed by your readers, and your country, very very much.

Here's to you...

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.


Note: Her columns are here.

October, 2008 insert: Molly Ivins Told Everyone So