Sunday, May 25, 2008

McCain Won't Support Our Veterans

This is appropriate for Memorial Day...

From The Progress Report: (On May 22nd) the Senate honored U.S. troops by passing a 21st Century GI Bill, expanding educational benefits for veterans who joined the service after Sept. 11, 2001. "Congress today resolutely asserted that it is time for those of us who have been calling on these brave men and women to serve again and again to assist in providing a meaningful chance for a first-class future," said Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA), who sponsored the legislation. Seventy-five senators voted to fund veterans yesterday, providing a veto-proof majority. Yet not only did Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) not vote for the bill, he didn't even show up to vote (the only other senators missing were Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-MA), for health reasons, and Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK), who had to attend a funeral). In the past, McCain has promised to "do everything" in his power to look after the nation's military. But a look at his record on veterans issues shows that he has unfortunately favored conservative pandering instead...

McCain's record on supporting veterans is one of the worst in Congress. IAVA has given him a grade of a "D" for voting against veterans' priorities so often between 2000 and 2006. A scorecard of roll call votes compiled by the Disabled American Veterans found that McCain has voted for veterans funding bills only 20 percent of the time. For example, in May 2006, he voted against an amendment providing $20 billion to the Department of Veteran Affairs's (VA) medical facilities. In April 2006, he was one of just 13 senators to vote against providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care "and treatment for veterans." McCain has railed against comprehensive universal health care and wants to give veterans the "freedom to choose to carry their V.A. dollars to a provider that gives them the timely care at high quality and in the best location." But as New York Times columnist Paul Krugman notes, "[T]he Veterans Health Administration is one of the few clear American success stories in the struggle to contain health care costs. ... [I]t's an integrated system -- a system that takes long-term responsibility for its clients' health -- to deliver an impressive combination of high-quality care and low costs." McCain's plan, however, would "privatize and, in effect, dismantle the V.A." In his narrow-sighted focus on eliminating earmarks, McCain may also cut funding for military housing.

9 comments:

Godless Sunday said...

Excellent Post, McCain makes me CRAY-ZEE. I'm outta this bitch if he becomes president. Srsly. No joke. I will pack up and be gone.

BAWDYSCOT said...

That is the same promise Alec Baldwin made last time and I am still waiting to wave his sorry ass goodbye.

csm said...

I was wondering if anyone would mention that pearl of wisdom from Mr. Baldwin...

I sympathize with you godless... and I hope there is no reason for you to make good on that promise. If the worst happens, and Grandpa Munster wins, I hope you re-consider because this country needs all of the left-wing godless loonies (like u and me) that it can get!

Anonymous said...

If the worst scenario happens, and Obama wins I'm still staying. I will just make sure to hide my guns, bibles and money best I can.

Please Alec leave. Your daughter won't miss you nor your sorry acting.

BAWDYSCOT said...

Actually csm, I received an e-mail from a friend which I believe sums up my thoughts on all three candidates. It is a depiction(doctored photo) of all three as the Three Stooges. Barrack is Moe. McCain is Curly. Hillary is Larry. Moe and Larry are pulling on each of Curly's ears. I have it hanging in my office at work. Perfection.

I have gone on record stating the best thing for this country would be McCain as President to block the Democratic Congress(gridlock), but I will do nothing of my own(vote) to make that happen, as I find him as reprehensible as the others. But he makes a good Curly.

coreydbarbarian said...

okay, it is official then.
alec baldwin has been voted off the island!

bawdy, i would rather work against mccain. there's gonna be plenty of gridlock still, i think. remember the blue dog democrats?

personally, i have to fight against continuing our flawed foreign policy fustercluck.
and the equally flawed economic strategy. i could keep going, but it's late.

csm said...

I fail to see how Obama is a stooge. I can understand the unflattering image of the other two. Of course, I can completely understand how someone might disagree with Obama's positions, but the man is far, far, far from being a stooge.

BAWDYSCOT said...

Hey, csm, at least he was Moe, the "smart" one.

csm said...

You knucklehead... why I oughta...