Statesman McCain

Sen. John McCain is pushing back
again on President Donald Trump’s plans.

A statesman or stateswoman is usually a politician, diplomat or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career at the national or international level. I have always thought of a statesman as a better politician, one that has transcended politics and is working for the greater good of all. 

The founding fathers, Washington, Jefferson, Adams are often spoken of as statesman.

We are watching that evolution occurring in John McCain. It is maybe the fact he is now staring at the inevitable and wants to be remembered not as a politician. I want to believe that he is now, like us, escaping to what he has “always been”. In his case, a honorable person, seeking the betterment of all and not just being a Republican or a Democrat. During the highly charged debate on the Affordable Care Act, he voted against his own party line and voted to spare million from the loss of coverage. The right position. 

Last week he stepped up and cosponsored a new bill that would prevent President Donald Trump from kicking transgender people out of the military. 

The bill, which already has bipartisan support, would prohibit the Defense Department from denying transgender service members the ability to reenlist or continue service in the armed forces based on their gender identity. It would also require Defense Secretary James Mattis to complete his review of transgender troops’ effect on military readiness by the end of the year and report his results to Congress.

McCain, who chairs the Armed Services Committee, said nobody should be turned away from volunteering to serve their country if they are able to serve. Here is his direct quote:

Any member of the military who meets the medical and readiness standards should be allowed to serve—including those who are transgender.

Recognition goes out to the bill’s other sponsors, Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.). Thank you – statesman and  stateswoman doing the right thing. 

Read the whole article at the Huffington Post and Washington Post.