Track talk
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Editor,
A strange thing happened as I was walking the high school track. I had an imaginary interview with Sen. John McCain.
“Welcome Senator, and thank you.”
“Thank you Bob, for asking and listening. You asked me to comment on how my illness may have affected my life and how it may relate to my position on the health care issue in Congress right now.
“A life-threatening illness affects everyone differently, but the overwhelming majority of people I have talked with in similar situations agree on one thing: It causes much serious self-reflection. A small minority remain fearful and filled with blame and anger.
“In my case, this self-reflection caused me to really look at my career as a politician, a candidate, a person, and some of the beliefs behind my positions on things.
“In looking at the whole health care for America subject, I was able to put aside political party and old fixed ideas resulting from politics rather than progress. It was funny how some of these new thoughts came to me and seemed so sensible. I looked at all my fellow Democratic senators in a whole new way. Instead of adversarial thoughts, I had thoughts of teamwork and what the people of our nation expect of us.
“I started listening very closely to both party’s legislators and to people speaking in public events about health care. I began to realize how deep political divides were totally blurring the main focus on health care in America and aiming instead at selfish and face-saving strategies.
“Without going into further detail on this, just my self-reflection and willingness to listen carefully and see beyond my own position-in-life has brought me to where I am right now on the health care subject. Do you have any further questions?”
My answer was “no.” We shook hands and the interview was over. But what John McCain said has stayed with me.
And, by the way, I found a nickel while walking the track. Talk about “being on the right track.”
Bob McClellan
Polson
