John McCain’s supporters say he has a great sense of humor. But are McCain’s jokes, which all too often ridicule, demean and degrade others, really funny?

McCain has been quoted as referring to Leisure Village, an Arizona retirement community, as “Seizure Village,” and as joking that the best part of having Alzheimer’s disease is that “you get to hide your own Easter eggs.” Other McCain classics include his Chelsea Clinton ugly joke, his bomb Iran song and his recent quip that he has stopped beating his wife.

These past and current examples of McCain’s warped sense of humor, which reinforce and promote negative attitudes about aging, the stereotype that women enjoy being attacked sexually, and trivialize war as something to be laughed about, are not only tasteless and offensive but convey clearly that he is lacking in good judgment, empathic understanding and regard for his fellow human beings.

Reversing his previous position on abortion, candidate McCain has now hopped onto the pro-life bandwagon in a transparent effort to gain conservative Christian votes, but he shows little reverence for life. He has voted against pay equity for women, repeatedly shot down legislation to increase the minimum wage and wants to dismantle the Social Security system.

If the American people send John McCain to the White House, the joke will be on us.

Josephine A. Bright

Bangor