John McCain is an american hero and I sort of forgot.

John McCain when I was first introduced to him a Republican I saw that hey I respect republicans their opinions are very much valid. I'm a democrat but I always felt that the opposite side was needed in order to create positive legislation and to be fiscally responsible. I saw in that republican democracy. Sadly he ran for president and lost but I voted for Obama. I felt bad for him but I felt the need to vote against the republicans at that time. I still respected him greatly his opinion still at that point was valid to me. But..... after the loss he lost some of my respect. I understood completely he was bitter because of his loss, its human nature. His voting record and his press conferences became very erratic as well as spiteful. He became everything I hate about politics.
But as of today I feel he's earning my respect back. I forgot the one thing I always knew was true about him. I may disagree with were the money should go and about wars to be fought. But I always felt we both loved America and cherished her. To have the courage to come out in say during this politically supercharged environment, I think we should have an independent investigation because we can't trust congress. That's love for this country and its people. So on this issue the major 1st requirement for me when i vote which is do you lov this country he gets some of my hope and respect that we can be a nation once again not just people to be used for politics and power. So Mr McCain good job trying to protect America and its people. As a liberal you not only
Gained some respect back but also my ear. On this issue I have your back keep it up and and donations are in order. But only if you can help with the problem of Americans just being used for profits maybe there will even be a supporter

 

McCain know a lot more than he's letting on or is able to at this point. He's probably not sleeping very well these days.

 

Most old folks don't sleep well, me included..

 

I couldn't agree with you more!

McCain is finally breaking free from politics as usual and serving his country. I believe that if anything does come about, it will be because of old guard republicans who know better because they've seen so much. I may not agree with the details of their politics, but I admire their sense of fighting for truth and fairness.

 

I have often said that McCain is one of the few in the GOP that has any integrity.
Tellingly, many GOP hacks call McCain a RINO - which is their way of saying he isn't CRAZY.
McCain still has moments where he puts country before party - that is exceedingly rare in today's repugnant party.

 

I believe in democracy and it doesn't work without an opposing view the hope is in the fact that we should praise these politicians. When you have money you want nothing but power when you can't get power with your money you need praise and recognition and with politicians like McCain we can actually get a republican back. And not only that with McCain you get a two for one lol so even better. My hope during this administration isn't in my issues what I want its merely proper governance.

 

This is the thing many right wingers don't get -- we want a healthy strong opposition, even if we don't agree with their positions. But the sort of scorched earth tactics Republicans have adopted since as far back as Newt Gingrich, that is what undermines them and has created this monstrosity of a president we have now, which is beholden to no one, or anything.

 

Yeah that's why I can give you a list of right wingers and libertarians as long as your arm that have had speaking engagements shut down on college campuses because you lefties are so warm and inclusive as long as the speaker tells you what you want to hear.

 

Citizens united sucks. The rich don't understand that more people with money here will bring more money here we are almost at the point of fighting over a constant with no new money. America is in jeapordy and all we can do is agree with idiots soft democrats who are scared to go far enough and reckless republicans who are fearless but takes it to far. There is only blame, failure, and greed in our government. It's just nice to see one act like a statesman every once in a while. That should be constant

 

Ye gods but it is refreshing to read a thread that is not about partisanship but about the need for a balance of power.

I guess that is what I find puzzling about American politics because it is part of our in depth cultural belief system that a balance of power is essential. NEARLY voting one side out is actually more powerful than actually voting them out .

The late great Don Chip formed a third Australian political party knowing he would never really compete with the standard two but he did it to, and I quote. "Keep the Bastards honest" and it has become firmly entrenched in our political belief system

 

The problem is people have actual grievances. Republicans are in control yet they don't answer a question truthfully. Politicians have started a new craze which is make bills for Americans in secret everyone should be pressing every politician. It's no longer about republicans and democrats it's all about America. This is our alien invasion. I'm not worried about the president and Russia cuz he can only take that so far. I'm worried about Mitch and Paul. Bet you didn't know companies can dump way more pollution in rivers now. One good flood and it will spread everywhere but majority in red states good luck with that. And what we want is simply don't take anything away from us we are cool until the next election just stop taking what we already have. Which is a way of life.

 

We the people changed to we the voters to we the suckers. A breath of fresh air from McCain. Being bi partisan is a joke being an American is the absolute truth after all what's right is right it always should be. It's how do we solve these issues and the answer is together. But I'm not necessarily against politicians fighting like siblings to do what's right. Give it to me no I want to do it no I want to do it.

 

Which is why the strongest voice in any democracy is the "swinging" voter. The one who makes up thier mind on the day. I think our mandatory voting means we have far more of those actually voting whereas in a voluntary voting system those who are not decided often stay home.

I am betting however that your next election will have massive voter turn out

 

But don't you find that disheartening. I agree but as it stands now in recent local races voter turnout has been embarrassing. It's either my party won the whitehouse I don't need to or we lost what's the use etc. These corporations are acting unamerican or government is acting unamerican at the least we as a people can right the course. I don't care if my guy won or yours I pay attention to this country I try to understand even a racist who was raised that way. You don't have to like me but love this country. See that none of your beliefs matter if everyone is suffering not.because of brown or white people. It will be because you being ignorant to actual politics as it is now and as it should be. Don't qoute the constitution you just need to apply it . I think mandatory voting takes away another one of our freedoms but anything that is necessary to make a change in our governing body I consider it. If good people unite none of that matters it's just everyone gets tricked to being stuck on their issues not knowing it all connects. From abortion to global warming they are in the control creepy evil dudes who seem to group together while we the people argue about facts and alternative facts. (Not addressing you personally just what's on my mind)

 

New??? Did you move here in the last three months or something? The chief polluters of our water ways have been government. Cities and towns , with inadequate waste treatment facilities, inept bureaucrats accidentally releasing several million gallons contaminated water, Flint, Michigan, perfect storm government wrought environmental destruction. And of course there is the all time great government wrought environmental catastrophe, Love Canal where in Hooker Chemical was fined millions for constructing a state of the art chemical waste containment facility and and then fighting the city fathers attempts to destroy that facility's structural integrity by building a sewer line through it for nearly two years. The city fathers got their way with predictable and deadly results. Yet compared to the former soviet block countries we are almost pristine.

 

Ok but does that matter who pollutes more? The fact Is industry has been regulated now they are not. Government also privatize infrastructure so the suggestions from private companies greatly is taking into consideration. They get top dollar for crappy materials and short term ideas. After all a politician doesn't know how to build a sewer system or pipeline. But none of that matters really the point is government put out the messsage that the EPA is pointless and unknown and unlimited toxins in our water doesn't hurt Americans. Very dangerous.

 

Gross overstatement and thus far no one has removed a single environmental rule. By the way the government is the one who lays out the rules tells you where to build and sets the standards. If the standards are inadequate and the materials specified substandard why blame the guy who does what he's told with what he's given to work with.

 

It's not a gross overstatement it's real all over the world sperm count in men are decreasing and a higher percentage a sperm mutatution having two heads or two tails. I'm not blaiming business because if we can say corporations are people then it's only natural to assume there will be responsible companies who understand why our waterways are so important to everyone's life and livelihood. But you can also assume there are and will be bad actors who take advantage merely for an increase in profits. It is definitely government fault when it comes to dumping unknown substances in rivers and lakes there is no such thing as industry self policing. And yes deregulation republicans are doing everyday and more on the way. They are using that stupid old rule to avoid the filibuster. For example a regulation that stop coal mines from dumping debris in nearby rivers that's gone. And coal mining is a dying industry the rest of the world is moving to clean energy. So how does deregulating pollution in our water create jobs or keeps us healthy? with the EPA budget being slashed and deregulation of certain industries it sends out a message to the rest dump whatever you want there is no one to check behind you. Make your money above all else.

 

The population is also aging and the Chinese government doesn't seem to give a rats ass about it's water. Down wind from Chernobyl is still not a good place to be.

 

Interesting. You and I see things a bit different, perception really is everything. See Id have McCain tried for treason. He's one of the architects to the current issues in the ME. ISIS being the main. His contributions to these atrocities should not be ignored. He's in fact a gleaming example of what's wrong in Washington. Insider politics and big money - that's John. I wouldn't even shake that guys hand. He's rode his "hero" status his whole life. A lot of us are getting sick of it.

I'm with you, I'd like to see more cross the row team work. And I dislike Trump, but to quote him. "Hero's don't get caught." And "hero's" certainly don't sell the public to the highest bidder. See his contributions to the NDAA a couple years ago. See where he's stood on the things that really matter. Remember, it's not what he says, but what he does. He's no true hero. Quite the opposite.

 

That's not true China only recently because of America as well as their own choice became an industrialized nation. China had to destroy so to build so that was their only way to catch up to other super powers. Now with all our money and manufacturing they are becoming leaders in industry. That industry is clean and solar power energy. They have put up more solar panels last year than the entire world together. They have a plan to survive their country for example they are trying to get all taxi drivers to switch to hydrogen cars. They are moving forward with or without the US. The industry is now and will be the next big thing and while we are resistancing for corporate they are creating workers with the ability to install all that technology. We are being left behind and when we finally realize it our workforce will be Uneducated and untrained thus the cycle of Chinese workers getting our jobs will continue. They are moving forward

 

Allow me to simplify this for you. You are a leftist. John Mcain is a Republican who has long been a thorn in the side of Republicans in general. Leftists LOVED Mcain when he was a thorn in Bush's side. Leftists LOVED Mcain when he was running for the Republican nomination in 2008. Once he won the nomination, those same leftists turned on him immediately, labeling him an extremists, even though in reality he is and always has been as milquetoast of a Republican as is imaginable. Now that Mcain is once again being a thorn in the side of Republicans, as a leftist, you once again love him.

Lets be honest. The ONLY time you like Mcain is when he is a thorn in the side of Republicans, and while you now claim that you respected him in 2008, id be willing to bet that you cant link to any posts of yours during that campaign that said one nice thing about him. If you had made a post back then that said Mcain cherishes America ( as you are saying today), your words right now would have validity, but since you undoubtedly did not, your words are merely partisan tripe masquerading as a non partisan mutual love of America.

 

Not true I disagree on the issues but as for me in all of my past post I blame dems and republicans. I praise dems and republican I always took and will take in account the opposing view. Check them out I just might be the exception to YOUR rule.

 

You have been a member here since 2008. I don't suppose you can link to you praising Mcain back then can you ? I would love for you to prove me wrong, but sadly I suspect you cannot.

 

He served his country enough said. I'm not saying he is this great man. What I'm saying on this issue he right and I applaud him. Now he is a war hawk that's a given but if some intelligence came across his desk that National security is a risk I trust that he will do what he honestly thinks will make us safer. It usually is ground troops or bombs but his intentions are to protect america