In the Oct issue of the Atlantic is an in-depth, well-researched McCain article by Jeffery Goldberg that describes McCain's life and values. Here's the link.
http://www.theatlantic.com/...
The quote that really got me thinking is this...
In my conversations with McCain, however, he never appeared greatly troubled by his shifts and reversals. It’s not difficult to understand why: tax policy, or health care, or even off-shore oil drilling are for him all matters of mere politics, and politics calls for ideological plasticity. It is only in the realm of national defense, and of American honor—two notions that for McCain are thoroughly entwined—that he becomes truly unbending.
Does "plastic" mean he is willing to lie about whatever he says about "mere political issues" to get votes? Does he justify these lies to himself with the idea that he is the only one who can be credible as the CIC to defend America's honor and keep the nation safe?
Since high school I've shunned politics. My knowledge of any facts about foreign or domestic policy is fingernail deep. Somehow, like a lot of folks, this election cycle for me is different. I am hungry to learn and want something that feeds by brain, not just my knee-jerking amygdala. You might too. This is a good article for that.
(The amygdala is a part of the brain that reacts emotionally. Apparently it fires a lot if you are having a PTSD reaction).