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Thursday, May 15, 2008

The New G.I. Bill - Dead for Now

FROM CNN

" A measure that would give veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan full four-year scholarships, dubbed a new G.I. Bill, also passed by a vote of 266-166, short of the two-thirds needed to override the promised veto by President Bush.
The added benefits would cost $52 billion over 10 years and would be paid for by a 0.5 percent surtax on individuals making more than $500,000 a year and couples making more than $1 million. Calling the new tax a "patriot premium," Democrats argued that it was time for wealthy Americans to share in the sacrifice that troops are making in Iraq. "

Two quick points:

1) I believe in the idea that wealthy Americans need to share in the pain and sacrifices of our service members and their families. Score one for the Democrats. Actually, I think all of America needs to get engaged in the sacrifices of our military. That would do one of two things: a) force Americans to stand up against the war and bring us home, or b) stand up for the military and make sure our disabled veterans get proper care and treatment from the VA and the military, make sure that our active members are recognized for their service, and provide us the tools and material to execute this war - with a nation behind us. There is no force greater than the one with the full weight of the American people behind it.

2) I am dismayed that the President doesn't care enough about us (Veterans, Service Members and their families) to make sure that we can come home from the war and begin to build new lives with an education that will help us succeed. The excuse that it is too costly pales when you look at the weekly cost of these wars.

As a former Army Officer, I am a Republican. I naturally gravitate towards a Republican Party that has generally done a better job of supporting the military over the years than the Democrats have done.

As Republicans - we have found a new way to fail our vets this week.

F&^ck!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I am not a fan of VA nor most military doctors. However with that said, both VA and military medical services were caught behind the famous 'power curve'. As little as 10 years past, many combat survivors would not have survived. Technology has allowed many, many injured service members to survive and VA / military service was not properly prepared to deal with the shear volume of injured soldiers surviving and requiring follow up treatment. My thoughts are with you and wish your spouse a speedy recovery.
Former First Sergeant