John McCain: The Only Senator Missing Yesterday for the Critical Healthcare Vote
Yesterday, John McCain was the only United States senator absent when the Senate voted to invoke closure on a Republican filibuster of legislation that seeks to block a 10.6 percent reduction in Medicare reimbursements to physicians. This was an important vote which no senator ducked other than McCain.
OEW has consistently reminded readers how John McCain always manages to be away from the Senate when he is confronted with a vote that may force him to show his true political colors. As of the end of June, McCain had missed 367 votes (61 percent of all votes) since the beginning of 2007. He had the worst record in the U.S. Senate. It is true that McCain has been on the campaign trail for most of this period. But Barack Obama only missed 259 votes during the period. And, most important, he showed for yesterday’s closure vote.
McCain could have cleared his schedule for this critical vote. Every other senator found it possible to be present. Senator McCain’s absence from the Senate did not show well when Senator Ted Kennedy, who recently underwent surgery for a brain tumor, overruled his doctors and returned to Washington to cast his vote.
McCain’s absence yesterday is not the first time he has missed important votes to enable him to straddle the political fence.
In 2007 McCain got a zero rating from the League of Conservation Voters because he missed every vote that the group deemed was important to the environment.
Most damaging to his campaign, McCain has frequently been an absentee on votes for veterans benefits. As a war hero, McCain positions himself as a major supporter of veterans benefits. But he initially opposed the new GI bill and has been absent on many key votes concerning programs that would benefit servicemen and women. (More on this topic is forthcoming in a future post.)
The issue here is not whether John McCain will show up for work if he is elected president. Rather, McCain’s record shows that when tough and controversial issues are raised, he walks the political tightrope and avoids taking a stance that might damage his chance for election.
People need to start making McCain’s absence an issue
Let us not forget that John McCain is the experienced candidate running for President of the United States! I Hope voters will rethink the “experienced” mantra! John McCain not showing up for such and important issue that directly relates to the needs of the American people, is a great example of how the “experienced” politician makes such great decisions!
The man may be tired!, old and refuse to attend crucial voting obligations. Mr. McCain wants to lead this country by whatever means neccessary. The media should be on this more.
An idea for Barack for the next debate.
An idea to really get cash moving in the economy and in the banking sector. And get people out of debt as well.
From the 700 billion give every tax filing citizen earning under 1 million last year a credit in their bank for five times their gross income with a minimum credit of 50,000 . The individuals would have to meet with their bank rep to go over their debts( charge accounts , car loans , personal loans , etc. ) and these obligations would need to be paid in full from the credit funds. Mortgages would have to be brought up to date as well. With the left over funds 10% would be invested in some form of long term savings, and then the individual could use the remainder funds as they wished. No tax would be attached to the credit. Medical expenses above 10.000 accumulated for those without insurance would be paid in addition to the credit.
Now that would get the money moving from the ground up benefiting all.
What do you think?
R Schwen