Gulp: Just 'SWALLOW' And Vote for Joe?

During the 2008 presidential campaign John McCain's brutally-honest nonagenarian mother was asked about Republicans who simply neither liked not trusted her son. "I guess they'll just have to hold their noses and vote for him," she replied.
Now along comes Joe Biden's wife, Jill with similar advice. She tells Democrats who are not enamored with her husband that they'll just have to "swallow [hard] and vote for Joe."
Hold your nose, take deep breath, gulp and do the deed!

NOW They Want You To Think They Loved Him!

NY Times in 2008 on why McCain was ‘unfit for office’: “Senator John McCain has retreated farther and farther to the fringe of American politics, running a campaign on partisan division, class warfare and even hints of racism” https://t.co/PEaEzMhdX4

— MARK SIMONE (@MarkSimoneNY) September 3, 2018

Let's Try To Put This In Perspective, OK?

Well, It Helps To Know How It All Started . . .

The McCain-Trump feud has a complicated and peppered history.
It helps to know how it started and where it went from there.

From Wellstone To McCain: Lessons NOT Learned!

I vowed to make no further comment on John McCain until he was laid to rest.
I said I supported the man -- I respected him, I campaign for him, I contributed to his campaign, I voted for him and I was very disappointed when his opponent won. Very disappointed.
But I wanted to leave it at that during this period of mourning because I didn't want to conflate McCain's life and his memory with the politics of now.
I stand by that decision and I wish everyone had done the same -- no politicizing of McCain's death during the period of mourning. Makes sense, right? In fact, to me it just seemed like common sense, proper decorum, the way things ought to be.
But, during the past week the fragile fabric of decorum began to fray. And today, the fabric was not just torn but it was finally and definitively shredded!
That's because John McCain's services at the National Cathedral in Washington became a sort of (only slightly reverential) political rally.
So, here's what I have to say now:

I've been in politics all my life. Yeah, it's a rough game. It's not for the faint of heart. 

But to turn a memorial religious service into a political platform -- well, it's just despicable! 

Here's the bottom line: There was a free, fair and open election in this country and the people spoke loud and clear. They were disgusted with BOTH parties and all the greedy insiders in Washington. This was a political earthquake and the DC political class, the deep state, academia, the media and the pop culture just couldn't accept it. Crybabies -- but nonetheless dangerous. So much bile!

When you don't respect, will not accept, or actually work to circumvent the will of the people, then -- you are an enemy of the people.

And then, I have also been thinking about it further and this came to mind:

They knew what they were gonna say and they knew how and when they were gonna say it. They had it all planned. In fact, they even included built-in applause lines.

And they invited Jared and Ivanka to the services specifically so that they would have to sit there and listen to it. Such premeditated vituperation. Such guile. So petty and spiteful!

Now, if you think my observations are harsh, consider some of the following that have popped up on Facebook. Again, I stress that these observations are from various Facebook friends, not from me. But I want to give you an idea of what some people are saying:

One friend writes: Is he buried yet? My Gawd! Enough! He didn’t extend an invite to his running mate Sarah Palin!  He had his hand on the fake dossier, and invited Obama to speak? McCain a so called military man, who loved this country, and our military invites a man who lied to the American people about Benghazi!? A man who stood before the American people and lied, blamed it on a video, sent his followers around the news circuit spreading some stupid lie about a video. A man who stood with his SOS Clinton and lied to grieving families!

And from another friend: Her (Meghan McCain's) father fired the first shot at Trump and he met his match. His decision not to invite some people to his funeral shows McCain was even petty to the last second of his life. He died unfulfilled which is very obvious in his last decisions. May he find peace with his maker.

And yet another:  John McCain campaigned on repealing Obamacare and then voted to keep it. John McCain admitted to being involved with the fake dossier that originated from Russia and was paid for by Democrats (collusion). So lets all stop with the holier than thou crap and cheap shots at President Trump who actually won the presidency unlike McCain who tried and lost, costing this country 4 years of Obama ruining it. And yes Obama's policies ruined this country bringing it down so we did need someone to make it great again!

And here are two more: I know I am tired of this endless funeral for McCain which includes Trump bashing. . . . . You’d think he was the President. I’ve seen many presidents die with less pomp and circumstance.

And then there was this poignant post on Facebook: My only brother, a veteran of the United States Army died in 1992, months after returning from overseas.
I was just a kid myself, but I proudly gave the eulogy over his flag draped casket because my parents were too devasated to speak. To this day, it was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life.
I could have chosen to address my anger at his sudden and tragic death, but I chose not to. I could have chosen to take that opportunity to lash out at others who maligned his military service, but I chose not to.  I could have chosen to be angry, in that moment, lashing out at the person responsible for his death, but I chose not to. Eulogies should be about remembrance, respect, heartfelt reflection, and honoring those we lost. Anger and resentment should be left at the front door.  Just my two cents.

It's a shame that all of this had to turn out this way and engender such vituperation.
But let's remember that it was the Democrats who first turned a planned memorial service into a political circus way back in 2002 when they "memorialized" Senator Paul Wellstone (photo below) who died tragically in a plane crash. And we all know how that turned out -- the Democrats not only lost Wellstone's seat but they suffered many other defeats that fall. 'Nuff said!

Amazing - Death Does Wonders For One's Career!

He Was, After All, Only Human -- Yes?

From our friends at the Save Jersey blog:

By Matt Rooney (reprinted with permission)

I found out about Senator John McCain’s passing at a Saturday wedding, Save Jerseyans, so unlike most of the political/social media universe, I had a little healthy time to reflect on the legacy of this navy hero, iconic U.S. Senator from Arizona, and a two-time presidential hopeful who played the part of conscience (or foil) at some key points in the political debates of modern American history. 

Perspective is a good thing. More people should spend twice as much time thinking as they do reacting in my humble opinion, but social media typically provides too much temptation. Trite responses and straight-up nastiness seem to dominate the conversation. Half of Facebook and Twitter immediately eulogized John McCain, “The Maverick,” as the Second Coming; the other half decried him as a modern Judas who barely earned the right to a Christian send-off. 

The truth? He was a human being. Nothing more, nothing less. And McCain’s human-ness might be the reason why so many found him either lovable or loathable.

McCain’s public life began with a singularly heroic act of bravery: 

In 1967, after he was shot down over North Vietnam, McCain (the son of an admiral) languished for the next 5+ years in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. He could’ve gone home early because of his rank and connections, sparing himself a lot of loneliness and pain; McCain refused, wanting to got home only in the order in which he was captured. It’s an experience which undeniably shaped the brash young pilot and changed him in ways that I’m not qualified to understand and neither are you unless you’ve had a similar experience.

There were plenty of other times since his release from prison that McCain displayed valor, or at least a willingness to take risks. His dignified acceptance of his fatal brain cancer diagnosis — something he was willing to discuss on national television — is an example for us all.

But the end of his life also revealed the other side of McCain. On July 28, 2017, shortly after learning of his cancer diagnosis, McCain gave a “thumbs-down” vote to the GOP’s final, great attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare, a move which he followed up with a speech calling for a return to “civility” in the Senate. He could have helped end America’s dangerous and expensive experiment with socialism in the health care arena — something against which he spent much of his life fighting — but he balked when it mattered most.

Unadulterated stubbornness? Overconcern at the end of his days with preserving his “maverick” brand? Or uncontrolled emotion given his own instant medical challenge?

I’d wager a bit of all three. McCain had principles and felt things deeply, but he also frequently allowed his temper and grudges to undermine his party’s laudable initiatives and, I’d argue, his own legacy. He was often far meaner and aggressive in beating up his fellow Republicans than the liberals, and the Media, who did him no favors in Election 2008 when their favorite disloyal Republican stood in the way of Barack Obama. You may say he “put country ahead of party,” especially if you’re insistent upon putting everything in the context of our present Trumpian reality; I’d argue that McCain was often unable to put higher pursuits ahead of McCain, consciously or not. 

Again, we’re all part sinner and part saint.

Senator McCain was no different. He inspired us and he deeply disappointed us. He achieved great things and also missed out greatness, largely due to his own flaws. He was a famous man, but he certainly wasn’t a marble man.

Good luck finding a consensus as he’s laid to rest. McCain wasn’t a consensus builder. If one develops? It should be that politicians are people, and we might be doing them (and our republic) a disservice when we contort their post-mortem biographies to fit our ideological narratives or lionize/demonize them to serve that same worldview. Life, and people, are a lot more complicated than all that. 

Death And Eulogies: A Diabolical Dilemma

Let's get a few things clarified, OK?
Under the official US flag code, flags should be flown at half staff for 24-48 hours following a the death of a member of Congress. That's really all that is designated. The Code, adopted in 1942, dictates that when a member of Congress dies, the flag should be lowered “on the day of death and the following day.” 
In the case of Senator John McCain, President Trump extended that period.
Let's face it: no matter how President Trump handled or reacted to the death of McCain, he would have been criticized.
To begin with, the two men were neither friends nor political allies. In fact, they really didn't like one another and, given the temperament, background and outlook of each man, it's really unlikely they would have ever meshed in any significant way.
So, if President Trump had joined in the effusive praise of McCain and, in effect lionized the man, Trump would have been called a phony, a patronizer and a typical politician. On the other hand, if President Trump ignored the death of McCain he would have been excoriated for being spiteful, stubborn and just plain mean.

We'd say that considering that he was in a tough spot, Trump struck just about the right tone. He's tried to be respectful without being hypocritical. It's not like he loved McCain or thought the world of him -- he didn't. And, after all, McCain specifically stipulated that he did not want President Trump to attend his funeral and, in his final letter (written prior to his death but released afterwards) McCain took one more veiled shot at Trump and his policies.
Look, we think it's sad that someone would choose to leave this world while still harboring an apparent grudge. And one would have hoped that the two men could have resolved their differences.
But, haven't we had enough of phony politicians praising colleagues that they really hate and/or have secretly thwarted, repeatedly? Aren't there enough of those kinds of people in Washington? Isn't that what's wrong with the town -- what makes it a swamp?
President Trump attempted to work with McCain. He tried to bring him into the loop. But on one of the president's top priorities (the repeal of Obamacare) McCain let administration down at the last possible moment even though McCain led everyone to believe he was in favor of (and, indeed advocated for) Obamacare's repeal. It was nothing less than a heartbreaker.
Hey, Washington is a tough town.
And this is just another thorny chapter in its prickly history.

Remembering A Salty Old Sailor, John McCain

We were proud to have supported John McCain during his career.
We stood by him and championed his cause during the long 2008 presidential campaign. If you've followed this blog, this is not news to you. We contributed to McCain, we rallied with him and we sang his praises here over and over again.
We honored him as a revered military hero and a patriot and we were deeply disappointed when the voters rejected him at the polls in 2008.
John McCain fought a valiant fight -- then and now. Always, he was an American original -- a ruggedly individualistic leader who followed his own drummer. He delighted some, confounded others and often defied expectations. But always, he commanded respect.
We can think of no better way to remember him tonight than by reprinting something we wrote just after the 2008 election -- something that we like to think is very much in the spirit of McCain himself:

Even before the election was over people were accusing me of being in denial.For whatever reason, they wanted me to recognize the reality of the situation.Friends urged me to "get real" and prepare myself so that I'd be OK "after the fall."Those on the other side wanted me to acknowledge the rightness of their cause and the inevitability of their victory. In their bravado, they craved affirmation (and they still do). But I took it as an attempt to disarm me and quickly brushed it aside.What they didn't know was I never needed a wake up call because I wasn't in denial.I knew the odds were long. I knew the road would be difficult. Hey, I supported McGovern in 1972. I know what it's like to be up against long odds. And I lived through that. I survived.I recognized that after the stock market collapsed and economic chaos took over it would be hard for the GOP to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.I wasn't in denial.But I simply decided to find bright patches of optimism and cause for (dare I say it) hope where I could. I found bits of sunlight in every cloud on the horizon. I needed to do that (all of of us on this side needed to do it) to get from there to here. We needed to do this for ourselves - and for our country.And we needed to do it to stay in the fight. We weren't about to give the others any more cause for celebration than they already had.When it comes to fighting against long odds, this is the only way I know.And I have no respect for those who threw in the towel before the battle was over or who (worse yet) defected. Those cowards (and the ton of them shall remain nameless) know who they are. And they will have to live with themselves.I'm a big boy. I've been through this before. I can live with it.I sailed proudly with a gutsy, courageous, salty old sailor. We weren't always a perfect match and he sure as hell wasn't my first choice. But it was still a helluva ride.So, no regrets.No recriminations. No apologies. Now, let's begin the new day. 

In The End, Two Lives In Stark Contrast . . .

We were hoping we weren't gonna have to write about this.
But events have pushed the matter into the spotlight and aroused such controversy that we are compelled to comment.

John McCain is intent on making headlines -- right up until the very end.
No doubt he's used to fame and he's generated his share of controversy over the years. It's also fair to say he's come to love the spotlight, even when it shines on him under the most seemingly difficult circumstances. All of this makes John McCain not just inimitable but formidable as well.  He's also irascible, uncommonly feisty and a certified contrarian.

Please don't misunderstand us. We've supported John McCain Big Time over the years. You need look no further than countless postings on this blog to find evidence of that. We contributed to his campaign and worked as hard as we could in 2008 to help elect him. But it simply was not meant to be. Part of the reason is that McCain proved to be as enigmatic and inscrutable as many said he was. But there were moments -- special moments -- when we got to see a glimpse of someone we actually thought we might like. Not that you have to like a presidential candidate to support him or her but it does help. In fact, it can make a really critical difference. Just ask Hillary Clinton.

Anyway, there were still lots of good reasons to support John McCain and when we lend our support to someone we also like to feel good about the person as well. Unfortunately, John McCain hasn't always made that easy. And that's sad because he was a far more qualified candidate and far better equipped to assume the presidency than his opponent.

But once you've been defeated in your quest for the most powerful office in the world -- well, it's probably best to leave the stage for awhile if only because by that time the public likely needs a break from you. And you probably need a break yourself as well -- at least a break from the political you. But McCain hung around and he just seemed to pick fights and get into trouble. And this reminded us of something a Capitol Hill staffer told us years ago. He said that among congressional staffers, John McCain was by far the most disliked member of the U. S. Congress -- the one person you did not want to work for or with. OK, so that was hearsay. But for us, John McCain's vote against the Obamacare repeal was truly beyond the pale. It wasn't just the vote itself but the really nasty way that he carried out the vile deed. Not his finest hour!

Still, none of this was any reason to wish John McCain ill or to take pleasure in the awful hand he was dealt and his current state of affairs. Absolutely not!

Here, we are reminded of the late Vice President Hubert Humphrey, one of the few men who was able to successfully return to public office after losing the presidency (in a squeaker in 1968). In 1971, after taking a three-year break, Humphrey returned to the Senate and served with distinction for seven years. This genial Minnesotan was able to pull it off because he always live up to his reputation as a happy warrior. When many wanted Humphrey to seek the presidency one more time in 1976, he modestly demurred, declaring: "The last thing I want to do at this point in my life is make a fool of myself." Hubert Humphrey had a right-sized view of himself and a generous, largely amiable view of others and the world around him.

In 1977, Humphrey revealed he was suffering from terminal bladder cancer. On October 25 of that year, he addressed the Senate, and on November 3, Humphrey became the first person other than a member of the House or the President of the United States to address the House of Representatives in session. President Carter honored him by giving him command of Air Force One for his final trip to Washington on October 23.

Humphrey spent his last weeks calling old political acquaintances. One call was to Richard Nixon (the man who defeated him in 1968) inviting Nixon to his upcoming funeral, which he accepted. In his calls Humphrey asked for forgiveness from all those who he may have offended and he generously offered forgiveness to others. Staying in the hospital, Humphrey also went from room to room, cheering up other patients by telling them jokes and listening to them.

As he faced his final days, Hubert Humphrey did not try to settle old scores nor did he attempt to castigate or excoriate others. He understood that such judgements were left not to him, but to God. Perhaps that's also why Humphrey did not write a tell-all book or attempt to reopen old wounds. But then again, Humphrey never appeared to be a spiteful or vindictive man. 

After he died, Humphrey's body lay in state in the rotunda of both the United States Capitol and the Minnesota State Capitol. Old friends and opponents of Humphrey, from Gerald Ford and Richard Nixon to President Carter and Vice President Walter Mondale paid their final respects. "He taught us how to live, and finally he taught us how to die", said Mondale

We're proud to have supported Humphrey in 1968 and McCain in 2008. But right now we feel a lot better about having supported the former than the latter.

"Bitterness is a cancer -- it eats upon the host. It doesn't do anything to the object of its displeasure."

Maya Angelou

You Can Make Up Your Own Mind About THIS . . .

. . . we'll just let it sit here.

Out Of Touch? It Certainly Seems So!

You Can Take Action NOW - Do It!

“Doing nothing is not an option. In less than two weeks, by August 16, America’s insurers will decide just how much more Americans will have to pay for health coverage next year. Speculation among the experts is rampant that without a Congressional solution, sky-high Obamacare premiums may increase by 20% or more to new, ludicrously excessive levels in 2018,” according to Dan Weber, president of the Association of Mature American Citizens [AMAC].

“Offering insurance that is unaffordable is the same as having no insurance at all. So, I implore Congress to hunker down and find a solution.”

Senator John McCain of Arizona, who had just had tricky brain surgery, risked his life a week ago to attend a failed Senate vote on the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, but he voted no on the bill. Weber believes that McCain should keep his promise to rid us of Obamacare and is asking him to make a courageous decision and change his vote to support a replacement bill. “There are much better alternatives to the ACA,” Weber says.

Sign Petition To Convince John McCain to Change his Vote

“Senator McCain put the kibosh on the proposal for reasons that remain unclear. Here’s a hero, both in wartime and in peacetime, who has the intestinal fortitude to do the right thing when it counts; and it counts right now. One can only assume that his history of promising a repeal of the Affordable Care Act was sincere when he made it. So, I call on him to keep his promises and take the lead in an effort to fix health care for the American people now— before it is too late,”

Weber points out that in addition to the prohibitive cost of insurance, too many individuals across the nation will not even be able to purchase Obamacare insurance of any type, even if they could afford it. Insurance companies are abandoning the ACA and pulling out of the Obamacare exchanges at an alarming rate.

Currently, according to a variety of authoritative government and private sector sources, there are 40 counties where no insurer – not a one – is available to those living there. And, the experts tell us that by next year there could be hundreds of counties without Obamacare carriers, Weber says.

A recent article in Insurance Journal notes that “more than 1,300 counties, primarily in 15 states, currently have only one insurer participating in 2018. Anthem and HCSC are the last man standing in one-third of those counties and states – putting those areas in particular at risk.” And, IJ says, Anthem Inc. and Health Care Service Corp., along with Cigna Corp. and Molina Healthcare, are giving serious consideration to pulling out of many of those markets. These are the biggest insurance companies selling Obamacare and they have until September 27 to make their decision to stay or go.

Weber says that it is “unconscionable” that millions of Americans have no access to health care coverage and that millions more will be uncovered when – not if – Obamacare implodes.

“That doesn’t have to happen. For example, an easy-to-implement solution would be to offer a combination of expanded, tax-free Health Savings Accounts, Telehealthcare and a program of Pro Bono Care under which doctors and nurse practitioners would provide health care services free of charge in exchange for tax deductions. All of these improvements and more can be accomplished if John McCain would keep his promise and change his vote.”

You can read more about AMAC’s Health Savings Account proposal at: https://amac.us/amac-repeal-replacement-obamacare-will-happen-no-alternative/

ABOUT AMAC

The Association of Mature American Citizens [http://www.amac.us] is a vibrant, vital senior advocacy organization that takes its marching orders from its members. We act and speak on their behalf, protecting their interests and offering a practical insight on how to best solve the problems they face today. Live long and make a difference by joining us today at http://amac.us/join-amac.

Yeah, Pictures Really Are Worth Millions Of Words!

These Disgusting, Inexcusable, Despicable LIES!

Repeal and Replace is what McCain, Collins and Murkowski told their voters. THEY LIED!

Maybe THIS Will Teach 'Em All A Lesson!

That look you get after screwing the people on health care, then learning Trump is cutting back yours!

We'll Just Leave This Right Here . . . OK?

This Is NO Fight For The Short Winded: Avanti!

Here is a very special message from catholicvote.org: Ugh. Just after midnight this morning, Senator John McCain cast the decisive NO vote. A last ditch “skinny” bill to repeal portions of Obamacare (and defund Planned Parenthood for one year) failed to pass 51-49. Had McCain voted yes, Vice President Mike Pence was available to break a potential tie vote. Two other Republicans (Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins) also voted no. Recall that Murkowski and McCain BOTH voted for partial repeal in 2015. And don’t forget this campaign ad last year that boldly stated: “John McCain is leading the fight to stop Obamacare.” Apparently John McCain no longer approves that message. So what’s next? Republicans are in the hot seat. They promised again and again to repeal Obamacare. The House did their job. They’ve now tried several versions in the Senate. They tried the same repeal that they passed in 2015. They tried a modified repair and replace (BCRA). They also tried this skinny repeal. So far Republicans are batting .000 on health care. CV supported passage of this bill, hoping that the inevitable conference process with the House would produce a viable repeal and replace plan. Negotiations continue and it's still possible that Senate Republicans could propose a new bill that gets majority support. But failing that, Democrats are salivating at the prospect of entering negotiations this fall to bail out their insurance company cronies. What can we do? THE TRUTH: Republicans deserve most of the blame here. They’ve spent months haggling over how to repeal one of the worst laws in American history. People are suffering. Families want help. And Republicans have failed to deliver. But Democrats also deserve blame. Even vulnerable Democrats up for re-election next year in states won by Trump did NOTHING. They sat on their hands and played politics. They provided cover for Planned Parenthood. And they danced with glee last night when a very modest compromise effort was defeated. So come next year -- these puppets of Chuck Schumer need to be defeated. Imagine a Senate with 2, 3, or even 5 more senators dedicated to patient-centered health care reform, protecting religious liberty, and providing real school choice for Catholic families. Imagine if our entire agenda wasn't dependent on barely squeaking by with 1 or 2 votes. That's why 2018 is so important. McCain, Murkowski, and Collins dealt the decisive blow last night. But pro-abortion Catholic Democrats in swing states must also be exposed and sent into retirement. And unlike McCain and Co., they’re up for re-election next year. In fact, 10 Democrat Senators in states won by Trump are running for re-election next year. We need to understand this a long fight. And there’s plenty of time still left on the clock. We voted and we want results. And we won’t rest until we get it done.

Brian Burch, President Catholic Vote catholicvote.org

Here's The OFFICIAL Word On That Matter . . .

Yeah, We're Beginning To Wonder About THIS Guy!

If only he had gone after the Democrats with the same vengeance!