John McCain - Hero or fool?

John McCain was just diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

My heart immediately felt sympathy for the 80 year old multi-term Senator from Arizona.

Two moments came to mind when he stood up for what was best for the country.

When, in a debate leading up to the Presidential election of 2008, a woman said "I cannot trust Obama. He's an Arab, and he's not..." John took the microphone from her and said, "No ma'am. He is a decent, family man citizen who I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign is all about. Thank you." And he moved on. That moment made me think twice about not voting for him in that election, except the part where he said he had disagreements on fundamental issues. But Senator McCain set a higher standard for truth in presidential campaigns, which have since been lowered to a level that I have never witnessed in my life and have caused me to grieve for our country.

The second time was after Barack Obama was elected decisively, in his concession speech, as his supporters were chanting, he called for the country to unify behind the candidate and spoke highly of the historic moment in which an African American was elected President of the United States.

Once again I thought to myself, "Well, he's a decent man who speaks the truth in important moments."

Then I saw him in the Senate for war so often when he, of all people, knew its horrors firsthand.

The war in Iraq (that Hillary voted for as well) that did so much damage in the Middle East, was so ill-advised and led to the creation of Isis. And countless other wars in the Middle East, Afghanistan and other global hot spots. I believe war should be the last resort after exhaustive global efforts to bring countries to a bargaining table. Isolating the country with the force of the military might of not just the United States, but the military might of 95 percent of the rest of the world as well.

I watched him say the right words and then go along with the party line.

I found myself wishing he would retire.

Never more than yesterday when he made a heroic effort to return to the Senate to cast the essential vote in allowing whatever it is the Republican Party has come up with in such a short time, behind closed doors this time that they are trying to call "better healthcare" to replace "the disaster that is Obamacare."

Obamacare is not a disaster.

It is not perfect, either.

If there was any sanity in our government, (which at the moment to me seems like there isn't), this issue, which affects everyone in the United States of America would be debated by both parties, doctors and hospitals and experts in healthcare to once and for all, provide healthcare for all of our citizens.

This is done by governments in every civilized country in the world, and the people of these countries are happy beyond belief that they never worry if they can afford to see a doctor.

But the conservatives in our country have been successful at painting this as "socialism," and even successful as labeling "socialism" as "communism." There are people who don't know the difference between any of these labels.

You would call national health care managed as a non-profit business socialistic.

That is not evil. That is what Germany, England, France, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Canada and countless other prosperous countries in the world do.

It cost more in taxes.

But it eliminates health care premiums.

You will pay a lot less for your healthcare, and you never have to worry you can't afford it.

But wealthy folks have dominated the political dialogue in this country ever since the Supreme Court ruled on Citizens United. The ruling that said "businesses are people."

The amount of money spent by corporations in political campaigns have all but eliminated most citizens ability to have a say in elections.

Campaign ads on television, radio, newspapers and the web have become outrageous lies designed to anger political bases. And it works. Especially when it comes to gullible folks who have done their best to make it in an increasingly global economy that requires skills they were never educated or trained to have in order to work in decent paying jobs.

And the President is bullying the judicial branch of the government relentlessly. That violates the founding fathers wise creation of the three separate branches of government. This impatient baby of a so-called man wants absolute power to do what he wants now. Now. Now. Waaaaaaaah.

So, back to John McCain and his vote yesterday in the Senate.

After voting yes to bring this turd of a bill to the floor of the Senate, he lectured his colleagues.

In case you haven't heard, insurance companies, along with most doctors and hospitals, have unanimously opposed THIS "Trumpcare."

Senator McCain said, “I voted for the motion to proceed to allow debate to continue and amendments to be offered. I will not vote for the bill as it is today. It’s a shell of a bill right now. We all know that. I have changes urged by my state’s governor that will have to be included to earn my support for final passage of any bill. I know many of you will have to see the bill changed substantially for you to support it. We’ve tried to do this by coming up with a proposal behind closed doors in consultation with the administration, then springing it on skeptical members, trying to convince them it’s better than nothing, asking us to swallow our doubts and force it past a unified opposition. I don’t think that is going to work in the end. And it probably shouldn’t." (PROBABLY?????)

He also said, "What have we to lose by trying to work together to find those solutions? We’re not getting much done apart. I don’t think any of us feels very proud of our incapacity. Merely preventing your political opponents from doing what they want isn’t the most inspiring work. There’s greater satisfaction in respecting our differences, but not letting them prevent agreements that don’t require abandonment of core principles, agreements made in good faith that help improve lives and protect the American people."

These words are truthful. He also put in other less truthful statements.

My question is "What will John McCain do when the Republican majority in the Senate brings up a bill that takes away healthcare for 20 - 30 million Americans? That is what the two turd-like bills that they have brought before the Senate do.

In the past, John McCain has caved in and followed his party line.

The Republicans do not want to include the Democrats in the discussion.

They continue to say "The American people elected us to repeal Obamacare."

That is an outright lie.

Some people bought their line of bullcrap. LIke the voter during the campaign who in deep anger said, 'Get your government hands off my medicare!"

Many Americans did not vote for dirty water, air and polluted lands, which is the policy the EPA is pursuing right now.

Many Americans did not vote to get cosy with Russia and look the other way for attempting (and succeeding) in influencing the American presidential election.

Many Americans DID NOT WANT OBAMACARE REPEALED when they voted. At least 3 million more than those who voted for Donald Trump to be exact.

They wanted it improved.

They wanted healthcare for all, which is what Donny Dum Dum promised them in his campaign.

It'll be "such good healthcare. You will love it. It will be cheaper and such good healthcare." That's what his dumbness-in-chief said during his campaign.

After he was elected and faced defeat in the house a few times he said, "Who knew healthcare was so complicated?"

Well Mr. President. Everyone who pays for it that hasn't had a privileged life like yourself and every member of Congress who gets it as part of their job for the government.

I am a citizen of the United States. I want what is best for all, not what is best for the few.

Follow this carefully. It is important for your health and the health of your fellow citizens.

I beg you.

So, Senator McCain, which is it?