Jesse Helms - Hero or tyrant?

[rn79870]

I’m never happy when I read of the death of an American, even one I feel had some misguided social issues. Jesse Helms needs to be congratulated on his service to this country, however, in my opinion, his views favored the upper class at the expense of the middle and lower classes. Although I am saddened by his passing, I do believe that the US will be a better place without his influence in Washington. I’ve included a few paragraphs describing his career and/or his philosophy.

His agenda is driven by a lifelong opposition to democracy and diversity. In his first months as Foreign Relations chair, Helms called for tougher sanctions against Cuba, accused Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide of unleashing "vigilance committees," and moved to gut support for developing nations. On the home front, he introduced a bill to eliminate all affirmative action programs, which he denounced as "reverse discrimination at the hands of ruthless bureaucrats."

How did someone so mean-spirited end up in a position to act on his divisive politics? For the most part, Helms wins political battles by keeping the spotlight on the morality plays he stages. To hear conservatives tell it, Helms is a personal friend of Jesus Christ, a populist defender of the little guy, and a bitter opponent of big government.

Shifting the spotlight reveals a different Helms. A former bank lobbyist whose fundraising machine has been fined for breaking federal campaign laws, Helms favors a big-spending, activist government--one that aids those in economic power. He voted to bail out the savings and loan industry, for example, and has seldom met a big-ticket missile system he didn't like. By contrast, he has voted to slash school lunches for impoverished children, medical care for disabled veterans, prescription drugs for the elderly, and wages for working families

"Looking at the record, people ought to understand that Helms is not representing them on the great majority of issues," says Rep. Melvin Watt, a North Carolina Democrat. "They perceive that he stands up for the little guy, but he really stands up for rich people rather than poor and working-class people."

Here are a few quotes from Jesse that shows his misunderstanding and stereotyping of America and Americans.

“Conservatism is a hard choice for a society that has become accustomed to big government and big entitlements promoted by liberals.”

“I have tried at every point to seek God's wisdom on the decisions I made, and I made it my business to speak up on behalf of the things God tells us are important to Him.”

“I was with some Vietnamese recently, and some of them were smoking two cigarettes at the same time. That's the kind of customers we need!”“I worked in the media from the late 30's through the early 70's. Politics in general became more liberal both nationally and within the state as the years passed.”

“In subsequent years the groups you named had important roles in educating people about the real issues in Washington and Raleigh, and within the Democratic Party.”

“It has become more acceptable to describe yourself as a conservative, but not everyone who uses that term about themselves really is truly conservative.”

“Mr. Clinton better watch out if he comes down here. He'd better have a bodyguard.”

“That is why I fought against abortion and that is why if I were still in the Senate I would be doing everything I could to defend the sanctity of marriage.”

“We have to be a state where business is welcome and jobs are created. We have to demand value for what is spent and we need to continue to resist a lottery.”

“The destruction of this country can be pinpointed in terms of its beginnings to the time that our political leadership turned to socialism. They didn't call it socialism, of course. It was given deceptive names and adorned with fancy slogans. We heard about New Deals, and Fair Deals and New Frontiers and the Great Society."

"To rob the Negro of his reputation of thinking through a problem in his own fashion is about the same as trying to pretend that he doesn't have a natural instinct for rhythm and for singing and dancing."

Was Jesse really a racist?

I always supposed that a politician represented the people who elected him. Jesse appears to deny the will of the mass in favor of imposing his will on those who elected him. As I said, any American who makes a career out of serving this country is a great man, however, Jesse’s absence is probably a good thing.

In all fairness, would anyone like to defend Jesse’s career?

[telcoman]

I'll vote tyrant!

IMHO he was a racist scumbag.I'm glad he's gone. We do not need people like him representing the people of America. I have to wonder what kind of parents he had and what kind of religious upbringing they had to raise someone that held those views?

From the New York Sunday Times

An article today in Sunday Business about missed opportunities to reduce America’s dependence on imported oil refers to a 1990 effort by Senator Jesse Helms, Republican of North Carolina, to block higher mileage requirements for vehicles and notes that Mr. Helms did not return calls seeking comment. The section went to press on Thursday, before Mr. Helms’s death Friday morning.

Telcoman

[Cold_Zero]

In all fairness I would like to lump Ted Kennedy, Robert Byrd in with Jessie Helms as politicians we can do with out.

When Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and Robert Byrd cried on the Senate floor, it was not because a good friend was diagnosed with an illness. It was because Byrd was scared that these liberals are dying off and there really isnt anyone to start taking their place.

[skylndrftr]

Jesse Helms is an embarassment to this country and can rot in hell. If there was a god thats where he most certainly would be.

[WDRacing]

Yup...that dude can burn for eternity IMHO.

[skylndrftr]

Heres a nice list of his highlights...

* Said of Civil Rights protests: "The Negro cannot count forever on the kind of restraint that's thus far left him free to clog the streets, disrupt traffic, and interfere with other men's rights."

* Forged personal alliances with Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet and Salvadoran death squad leader Roberto D'Aubuisson.

* Tried repeatedly to abolish the National Endowment for the Arts.

* Attempted to make African-American Sen. Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL) cry by singing "Dixie" repeatedly while in an elevator with her.

* Led a failed filibuster against the establishment of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

* Announced in 1994 that if then-President Bill Clinton were to visit North Carolina, "He better have a bodyguard."

[WDRacing]

Simply amazing who we let run the country...people wonder why I have no faith in the Gov.

[Cold_Zero]

Remember, he was an elected official. While I cant stand Kennedy and Byrd and most California Senators/Congressmen, they are elected by the people of their state to represent them.bud

[WDRacing]

That is simply pointing out that the system is broken man...that's all. Our next Pres will also be elected...doesn't mean either of the two choices are the best for the job. They just have the most money and backing by powerful people.

We haven't had a "by the people for the people" election in decades. We have "by the people currently in office, for the people currently in office"...

[rn79870]

That's true Bud, but all to many forget the will of their constituents and vote their personal agenda. That's part of the problem.

[Cold_Zero]

And I dont doubt what either of you say. I am just as much frustrated with my (lack) representation in my Congressional District and with my Senators.bud

[WDRacing]

Atleast we can have our guns though

[skylndrftr]

CZ I'm willing to bet we are all (at least most) frustrated with our representation no matter which side we're on.

However as opposed to working to help his constituency, he played on their fears and their bigotry to get them to vote against their interests.

This includes running racially charged campaign ads when it became clear he was going to lose on real issues.