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Subject:&160;&160; What Does Every Presidential Candidate Except John McCain Know &160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160;&160; &160;&160; &160;&160;&160; &160;&160;&160; &160;&160;&160; &160;&160;&160; &160; About Mental Illness?

Now that we are down to the fore-runners of the Presidential Candidates race for both the Republican and Democratic parties, it is time for all Americans to take an in-depth look into

the facts about the person we support, and most importantly, TRUST, to represent our country.

I have taught in public schools over the twelve years in Shelby, Chilton, and Mobile counties, and never did I openly voice my personal preference of any political candidate.&160; Although I still hold to this choice being a private and personal decision, I wanted to ensure my fellow Alabamans know a very important fact about Senator John McCain, as published in the following excerpt by NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness):&160;

Arlington, VA – The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill expressed disappointment and concern over news from New Hampshire that Senator John McCain (R-AZ) apparently stands alone among presidential candidates in opposing a federal mandate that health insurance plans provide the same coverage for brain disorders as they provide for other disorders.

On January 25th, the Manchester Union Leader published a &uot;Primary Primer&uot; summarizing responses from both Democratic and Republican presidential candidates to questions on various issues. In response to the question &uot;Should health insurance plans cover mental illness to the same extent they do physical llness?&uot; the Union Leader reported: &uot;All the candidates with the exception of John McCain favor the idea of insurance plans covering mental illness.&uot;

&uot;Mental illnesses like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (manic depression) are severe, biological brain disorders,&uot; Flynn noted. &uot;In essence, that means they are physical illnesses. They are not merely mental health problems from living daily life. I wonder whether Senator McCain has read the Surgeon General’s report and is aware of the distinction, and whether he has looked closely at the pattern of recent state legislation. The fundamental issue is unfair discrimination, and the debate today is less about cost than scope of coverage.

It is so easy to be deceived by politicians because they spend millions of dollars to market themselves in the best light possible.&160; When trying to find a candidate to trust, I believe Senator John McCain’s lack of humanity for the mentally ill speaks volumes.&160; It is difficult to know which candidate truly matches our individual values, but there is clear evidence of the true person if you dig deep enough.&160; Rather this issue is a priority to every Alabamian or not, it still reveals the heart and humanity of the candidate.&160; In my view, John McCain’s blatant disregard for our fellow mankind who suffer from mental illnesses shows the true cold heartedness of his concern for all Americans.

“If Not For The Grace Of God Go I” or my Child, Loved One, Friend, Or Fellow Mankind…