For Senator John McCain

As democratic as I am, I do believe Senator John McCain deserves respect and honor in his death. Among all of the resister facebook groups I am in, this seems to mostly be the consensus. There aren't many republicans these days that would receive that level of respect from these groups. But, McCain was part of the few that earned that respect.

His father and grandfather served in the military. While I am not 100% certain, I like to safely say he literally spent his whole life serving the country. Literally being the word that might not be accurate. I consider close family of those serving to be serving too. In their own way. Hence the use of the word "literally". If not all of his life then certainly most of it.

We might never again see a presidential race as respectful as 2008. Both sides agreed that they want what's best for the country but had different views on what that meant. They worked closely together a bunch of times after Obama was elected. McCain asked for Obama to be a speaker at his funeral. It's a level of respect that doesn't surprise me.

Senator McCain was one of the few willing to negotiate. He understood that what is best for the country comes out of negotiations. Both sides making compromises. What immediately comes to mind is his "no" vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act last year. But, there were others. He was part of the team that wrote the payroll tax holiday bill during the recession. For two years it made a difference in helping those who need it most. It was repealed in early January of 2013.

I don't know that much about him or generally his voting record. Last year I tried to do a post on reasonable republicans. That included him. It was a very short list and upon research I found I disagreed with a lot more of what he supported then I thought I would. I decided against that post.

However, it doesn't stop me from saying he deserves honor and respect. He has earned honor and respect no matter what your political views. Anyone who was a prisoner of war deserves honor and respect. To me, just the fact that he was always vocal about "we have to consider what's best for the people" deserves honor and respect. Long ago it became about what donors want. He still cared about what everyone else wants.

I am genuinely worried about the senate in the fall. Susan Collins can't be the only remaining republican in Washington with common sense! What horrors could he have stopped? Only time will tell. But, that thought alone makes me appreciate him like I never did while he was running for President in 2008. I still would have voted for Obama. But, I would be able to appreciate McCain's dignity more.

RIP, John McCain! You spent your life serving your country. Now it's time for your country to serve you. By honoring you with your final wishes. My prayers to you and your family.