The Politics of the GI Bill

Patriotic Americans are, we are told, to support the troops. By many accounts, to support the troops means supporting George Bush's view of the Iraq War. To disagree with either the handling of the war, or the war in general, is seen as being unsupportive. I disagree, of course. There is a difference between those who are members of the military, and as such, have chosen to serve the country, and the policies set by the civilians who set the agenda/mission.
When it comes to supporting the troops, the Iraq War has uncovered the dark side of American policy regarding both its troops and its veterans. Just mention Walter Reed Hospital, and images of malpractice and mistreatment of veterans should circle about in your minds.
So, here we have a new controversy. James Webb and Chuck Hagel, both Vietnam vets and anti-war Senators, have put together a new GI Bill that would provide financial support for college tuition to those who serve in the military for 3 years. GW and John McCain both have denounced the bill -- because they say it would hurt retention by offering overly generous benefits. Barack Obama (and Hillary Clinton) supports the bill (all told 75 senators from both parties supported this measure, but John McCain is adamant in his opposition and will brook no criticism on the part of Obama, whom he derisively notes never served in the military. McCain is an acknowledged war hero, but one need not serve in the military to know how to treat veterans.
Anyway, Ed Humes has offered up a most intriguing op-ed piece today in the LA Times. He suggests that McCain's opposition to this bill shouldn't come as a surprise, as McCain has a history of voting against bills that would aid Vets. In fact, Veteran's groups give him a 50% rating, while Obama has an 86% rating regarding veterans issues. So the question is, who is the real supporter of Veterans affairs. Humes points out several examples of McCain voting against bills that would support vets:

So let's take McCain up on his invitation. Here is how he has stood on recent legislation regarding vets and soldiers -- many of them supported by major veterans organizations:

* On Webb's GI Bill, he expressed opposition, and he was AWOL when it was time to vote on May 22.

* Last September, he voted against another Webb bill that would have mandated adequate rest for troops between combat deployments.

* On a badly needed $1.5-billion increase for veterans medical services for fiscal year 2007 -- to be funded through closing corporate tax loopholes -- he voted no. He also voted against establishing a trust fund to bolster under-budgeted veterans hospitals.

* In May 2006, he voted against a $20-billion allotment for expanding swamped veterans medical facilities.

* In April 2006, he was one of 13 Senate Republicans who voted against an amendment to provide $430 million for veterans outpatient care.

* In March 2004, he voted against and helped defeat on a party-line vote a $1.8-billion reserve for veterans medical care, also funded by closing tax loopholes.

I'll leave it to you to decide what to make of this!

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