Topic category:  Other/General

The March 2006 cover story of “Fortune” magazine, entitled “Secrets of Greatness,” presents profiles of several individuals whom the editors deemed worthy of that description. First on the list is Senator John McCain of Arizona, pictured with hand over heart, looking statesmanlike and warm. In truth, he is neither. So why is he such a media darling?

Recent Gallup polling data showed that a majority of Americans steadfastly refuse to embrace Hillary Clinton, despite her virtually unquestioned status as the presumptive 2008 Democrat presidential nominee. Therefore, to bolster her electoral prospects, her minions must resort to “Plan B,” which is to ensure that her Republican opponent is sufficiently distasteful to the conservative party base that they simply vote “none of the above.” Enter John McCain.

In other polling data (This is how the country is being run these days.) McCain ranks first among Republican contenders. Hardly the result of any nationwide enchantment with his political agenda, McCain’s “popularity” arises from the constant, and often glowing, media attention he regularly receives.

With so much at stake, it is crucial to know just who John McCain is, and what he is about. In this regard, his track record, seemingly random and disjointed at first glance, proves highly illuminating.

Starting with his latest escapade, known as the McCain/Kennedy immigration “reform” bill, he not only displays consummate pragmatism, but also personifies the general political bankruptcy so rampant throughout Washington. Moreover, his self-serving motivation is reflective of the current Federal Government and its inability (and if the truth be known, its frequent unwillingness) to effectively confront dire problems facing this nation.

McCain/Kennedy has two purposes, neither of which is to strengthen the borders or enhance the security of the United States. Instead, it first is intended to garner the gratitude of invading hordes of illegal aliens, thus guaranteeing their loyalty and servitude to Washington in perpetuity. Secondly, it is structured in such a manner as to hopefully allow supporting Senators from both parties to camouflage this latest abdication of their Constitutional duty under the auspices of “reform.”

John McCain, Ted Kennedy, and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, the bill’s loudest advocates, are busily traversing the TV roundtable and morning news program circuit in an aggressive effort to make their case “airtight.” Yet even a cursory analysis of their words reveals their bill as a dangerous step in entirely the wrong direction.

Consider their monotonously repeated mantra that this bill is “not amnesty.” In justification, they explain that illegals will ostensibly be required to pay a thousand dollar fine. Yet even a single visit to the emergency room can cost much more than that. So in truth, the “fine” represents the shallowest example of symbolism.

Secondly, they insist that the illegals presently in the country will be sent to the “back of the line” in their efforts to attain citizenship. But what does this really mean? Clearly, the illegals would have no less freedom to move about and conduct their lives than they presently possess. Tell that to the poor refugee languishing at the “front” of the line in some third-world country, waiting for entry into the United States.

Nor would their status as “non-citizens” prevent them from participation in the political process. The massive demonstrations of last weekend, and the intimidating effect they clearly had on the Senate, inarguably prove as much.

Like campaign finance “reform” legislation, which McCain ramrodded through the Congress in perhaps his most famous crusade, immigration “reform” does not address any aspect of the current crisis in a manner that would alleviate the concerns of average citizens who see their country being stolen from them. Rather, it gives Washington insiders an opportunity to appear engaged and responsive, while guaranteeing that absolutely nothing of substance is accomplished.

As time goes on, fewer and fewer of Washington’s “ruling class” are truly interested in effectively addressing the issues of the day, especially if doing so might focus the lights of public scrutiny on them. Instead, this elected aristocracy endeavors first and foremost to preserve and maintain its current status, while running from the difficult decisions necessary to “secure the blessings of liberty” to this generation and its posterity.

In Iraq and Afghanistan, truly courageous Americans are expected to sacrifice their lives, if necessary, for the sake of the country. But inside the Beltway, even the most cowardly retreat, if it can be properly spun for the network news, will suffice.

Washington D.C. is hardly a land of “milk and honey.” Thus, it stands to reason that in such an environment, it is not always “cream” that rises to the top.

Christopher G. Adamo

Biography - Christopher G. Adamo

Christopher G. Adamo is a lifelong conservative from the American Heartland. He has been involved in grassroots and state-level politics for many years, seeking to restore and uphold the Judeo-Christian principles on which our Nation was founded. His book, "Rules for Defeating Radicals," is the "Go To" guide for effectively confronting and overcoming the dirty tricks of the political left. It is available at Amazon.