McCain Misstates Record on Veterans Issues
Friday night, John McCain said “I know the veterans, I know them well, and I know that they know that I'll take care of them, and I have been proud of their support and their recognition of my service to the veterans, and I love them, and I'll take care of them, and they know that I'll take care of them.”
However, McCain’s record in the Senate contradicts this statement. And America’s veterans know this – which is why groups like the Disabled American Veterans and Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America have given McCain failing grades for his voting record on issues facing veterans and military families.
· McCain Opposes the 21st Century GI Bill Because It Is Too Generous. McCain did not vote on the GI Bill that will provide better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would “encourage more people to leave the military.” (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/08; Boston Globe, 5/23/08; ABCNews.com, 5/26/08)
· McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans’ Health Care. Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans’ health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans’ health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07)
· Opposed an Assured Funding Stream for Veterans’ Health Care. McCain opposed providing an assured funding stream for veterans’ health care, taking into account annual changes in veterans’ population and inflation. (S.Amdt. 3141 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 63, 3/16/06)
· McCain Voted Against Adding More Than $400 Million for Veterans’ Care. McCain was one of 13 Republicans to vote against providing an additional $430 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. (S.Amdt. 3642 to H.R. 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06)
· Voted Against Establishing a $1 Billion Trust Fund for Military Health Facilities. McCain voted against establishing a $1 billion trust fund to improve military health facilities by refusing to repeal tax cuts for those making more than $1 million a year. (S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297, Vote 7, 2/2/06)
· McCain Opposed $500 Million for Counseling Services for Veterans with Mental Disorders. McCain voted against an amendment to appropriate $500 million annually from 2006-2010 for counseling, mental health and rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder or substance abuse. (S. 2020, S.Amdt. 2634, Vote 343, 11/17/05)
· McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans. McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-ofliving adjustments for certain veterans’ benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91)
· McCain Opposed Increasing Spending on TRICARE and Giving Greater Access to National Guard and Reservists. Although his campaign website devotes a large section to veterans issues, including expanding benefits for reservists and members of the National Guard, McCain voted against increasing spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy. (www.johnmccain.com/Informing/ Issues/9cb5d2aa-f237-464e-9cdf-a5ad32771b9f.htm; S.Amdt. 324 to S.C.R. 23, Vote 81, 3/25/03)
· McCain Supported Outsourcing VA Jobs. McCain opposed an amendment that would have prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from outsourcing jobs, many held by blue-collar veterans, without first giving the workers a chance to compete. (S.Amdt. 2673 to H.R. 2642, Vote 315, 9/6/07)
· McCain Also Supported Outsourcing at Walter Reed. McCain opposed an amendment to prevent the outsourcing of 350 federal employee jobs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center—outsourcing that contributed to the scandalous treatment of veterans at Walter Reed that McCain called a “disgrace.” (S.Amdt. 4895 to H.R. 5631, Vote 234, 9/6/06; Speech to VFW in Kansas City, Mo., 4/4/08)
· McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion for Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included $122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. (H.R. 2861, Vote 449, 11/12/03)
· McCain Voted Against $51 Billion in Veterans Funding. McCain was one of five senators to vote against the bill and seven to vote against the conference report that provided $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as funding for the federal housing, environmental and emergency management agencies and NASA. (H.R. 2620, Vote 334, 11/8/01; Vote 269, 8/2/01)
· McCain Voted Against $47 Billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of eight senators to vote against a bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (H.R. 4635, Vote 272, 10/12/00)
· McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion for Veterans Programs. McCain was one of five senators to vote against a bill providing $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, plus funding for other federal agencies. (H.R. 2684, Vote 328, 10/15/99)
· McCain Voted Against a $13 Billion Increase in Funding for Veterans Programs. McCain voted against an amendment to increase spending on veterans programs by $13 billion. (S.C.R. 57, Vote 115, 5/16/96)
· McCain Voted to Underfund Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 billion. (H.R. 2099, Vote 470, 9/27/95)
There are a couple of new items on MyBo that I wanted to bring to your attention. The first is the new feature on Neighbor to Neightbor, which is called Vets to Vets. Right now, it targets phone calls to vets in New Hampshire, but I'm sure that will expand to other swing states quickly. Here is the link: http://my.barackobama.com/page/votercontact/landing.
Second, Im pleased to announce that there is a Womens Veterans for Obama group @: http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/FemaleVetsforObama (it says Female Vets for Obama, but they are working on changing that). For those of you who are women veterans, you are well aware of our unique needs, and how imperative it is to bring those needs to the forefront. Please spread the word and let's get the group numbers up!
I have been asked by Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor for the New Mexico Sun News to share his blog posts: http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/stephenfox/gG5Q5n.
There is one thing he said that I want to echo: WE MUST WIN THIS ELECTION!
We risk losing everything that we have fought for for the past232 years, namely, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, for us, our children and our childrens children. This is a class war. They are using their bastardized version of "family values" against us, and believe me, there are a lot of folk out there buying every ignorant word they are putting out.
WE MUST WIN THIS ELECTION!!
Veterans medical benefits will be privatized. Personnel returning from OIF/OEF will continue to be short-changed in receiving the care they need for the physical and psychological damage they have suffered for serving their country. Much needed services to assist them in transitioning from military to civilian life will be non-existent.
WE MUST WIN THIS ELECTION!!!
We need to show them that Community Organizers trump their Hockey Mom, on ice, grass, on the water, in the air, and in the desert.
Have a great weekend, get lots of calls made, doors knocked on and literature distributed. And as always, stay "Fired Up"!
Please read and circulate widely. This is information that we need to be using as we go about canvassing and tabling. If Politico is questioning McCain's pick, we know something's up.
http://digg.com/2008_us_elections/Scholars_question_Palin_credentials
He's busy pandering to Hillary supporters, as if they are too ignorant to see what he is trying to pull. They should be made aware of this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/29/palin-hillary-clintons-wh_n_122504.html
"Worst VO Pick in U. S. History": http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-j-elisberg/the-worst-vice-presidenti_b_122491.html
Ted Stevens promoted her during her gubernatorial run http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/08/palin_ad_starring_ted_stevens.php
He knew nothing about her before putting her within rech of the presidency: http://www.jedreport.com/2008/08/mccain-didnt-know-palin-before.html
There's plenty more where this came from, but you get the idea. She makes Barack look like Thomas Jefferson in the experience realm!
Ok, things are going to heat up really quickly. The convention is next week, and Barack gives his acceptance speech on 8/28. From there on, we have 68 days to winning the election. We are all going to have to push really hard to help him gain the double-digit lead he needs in the polls and assure that McCain doesn't have a chance. To that end, I'm posting some material here that can be used for talking points. It is imperative that we demonstrate to veterans how much effort the senator has put forth on their behalf, and what his intentions are for the future - and what John McCain's voting record on veterans and military issues has really been.
Thanks for Curtis Walker and Barb Miller for much of this information:
McCain Lies About His Voting Record on Veterans Issues:
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/07/10/mccain-lies-about-his-voting-record-for-veterans/
Bush Gives McCain Credit for GI Bill He Opposed:
http://sensico.wordpress.com/2008/06/30/bush-gives-mccain-credit-4-gi-bill-he-opposed/
And, you can share Curtis' experiences as a first time delegate at the convention at his blogspot:
http://integritynowca.blogspot.com/
Fired Up!
If you go take a walk down many of our streets, most of the people you will run into are in some way tied to a veteran. They could be grandchildren of those who served in World Wars, parents of servicemen and women, brothers and sisters of those serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and some of them are veterans themselves.
Many of the veterans of our society have been trying for years to succeed. The country that they once believed in, the freedoms and liberties they fought for, the people they thought they could confide in, all of that seems to be some sort of fairytale of hopes and dreams to save the world and eventually realizing it was never saved to begin with.
I am a veteran of the Iraq war. I have seen many things, people and places that most will never have the opportunity to see. I chose to enlist because I felt I could make a difference, not only in myself, but in my country and the lives of others. I swore to defend my country as a Chemical Operations Specialist in March of 2003, the same day President Bush declared war on Iraq. I can remember watching the television screens as I sat in the MEPS station in Chicago, Illinois and thinking someday I am actually going to end up there. The attacks, the raids, buildings that were set ablaze, Saddam's regime was coming apart and we were all watching it on nationalized television.
I remember how happy the Iraqi civilians seemed to be that we had tore down his statues, his paintings, this world of torture he had created was about to crumble. It was all so reassuring that I was joining something of the greater good. I felt it was my calling, a mission in which I must complete. I had visions of where I wanted to go in my career, and who I wanted to be.
In July of 2003, I went to basic training confident and with pride. I thought that this was the life I was supposed to lead. I had finally found a way to secure my future, and to make my life better in some way. The challenges of basic training made me a stronger individual. I was able to experience true leadership, dedication and motivation from some of the Senior Non-Commissioned Officers above me. The Drill Sergeants carried themselves with such a high standard that I was amazed at how much trust I had in them. I knew from that experience alone that I wanted to become one of the greatest, and most professional soldiers in the military. I wanted to become a Drill Sergeant.
I remember an event that occurred three days before I was supposed to graduate basic training. It was December 14, 2003, and I was currently in Advanced Individual Training. It was early morning and the time had come for us to hit the lines for breakfast chow. We were all waiting in the chow line and as I took my silverware and tray I could hear a round of applause and cheering coming from the tables that seated our soldiers. I got through the chow line pretty fast, grabbing a banana and some juice so as to find out what everyone was so happy about. "Look guys!" shouted a soldier, "Drill Sergeant they caught Saddam Hussein!" stated another. It was amazing, to see so many people who had no idea what was to come in their future military careers.
I served in Ft. Bliss for several months, but due to the fact that I was not happy with the unit, I continually called my branch manager to find a way out. The problem was I was "fenced" which means the Army basically has you locked into a unit. Finally, after months of calling, my branch was willing to work with me to get me out of there. I was sent to Ft. Hood, Texas in November of 2004, and nearly two to three weeks later, I was put on a plane to Taji, Iraq.
I left the United States and got to see the airport of Shannon, Ireland. It was one of those moments where I actually remember thinking, "this is really happening, I am about to go to war," but I tried not to think about it to much. Shortly after our time in Shannon, we arrived in Kuwait. Camp Doha was the place, and I was so glad to see a Starbucks. It kind of gave me a little piece of home and I was already a little homesick as it was because I was missing many of the things I used to take for granted, such as a warm house, a bed, and sleeping peacefully. I went with a few soldiers to the dining facility and then back to the phones to make the calls to everyone who wanted to know I made it to Kuwait. Afterwards, I went to my sleeping area, packed my gear, spoke with a few people and waited for the next day.
The process of going to Iraq went smoothly, I remember sitting on the C-130, looking at the faces of fellow service members who showed an uneasiness about themselves. When we landed in Taji, Iraq it was kind of a shock to some. Others were nothing less than terrified. I on the other hand was simply without emotion at all. It was a feeling I have only felt one time. It was kind of like I had accepted the fact that this is what I was sent to do, or I just wouldn't be there. I remember trying to humor myself by saying "This is Baghdad? wow, it's flat and there's like nothing here!" The pilot of the plane then told me, no this is Taji, but you're right outside of Baghdad. Then my first sergeant came up to the plane and yelled out the names of myself and three soldiers. Both himself and my commander grabbed our bags and my first sergeant turned to each of us and said, "you'll see Baghdad soon enough, let's get you troops settled in your rooms."
The next day, I spent the whole day finding out that I was going to cross-train to work outside of my military occupational specialty. My military specialty was Chemical Operations, however, I was trained within days to work as a motor transport operator. My entire company was always on some sort of convoy. I was assigned under Bravo Company, 27th Main Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division out of Ft. Hood Texas. The experience was like nothing I had ever been through. Some of the things I had witnessed were like something off of a Hollywood film. It was shocking in so many ways, but in other ways very rewarding. I saw a lot of great things come of this war and a lot of bad things right along with it. It was surely an experience to see compassion in a war torn world of terrorism.
I returned from Iraq and served until April 27th of 2006. To say the least, my chain of command railroaded me out of the military. I was set to ETS in July of 2006 and was given a General under Honorable conditions discharge 3 months before the end of my term of service. I have since had difficulties obtaining a government job, and government funding. I reached out to several organizations to try to figure out what it was I needed to do. I was unable to draw unemployment, which ultimately resulted in the repossession of my vehicle. I have lived homeless, gone several days without food, and ultimately my faith in everything kind of went away.
I feel like my country had betrayed me. The country I believed in, that I fought for, the people I thought I was defending was ultimately a cold hearted world that didn't deserve much of anything. I think a lot of what is going on in our country is because the people who live in this nation are so selfish with what they have. There are not very many good, genuine people who are willing to help others, regardless of the outcome. It is rare to find a person that is not out to hurt you, or destroy your spirit.
I have heard from soldiers who have been unable to provide for their children when they have gotten out of the service. They are told such things as they should not expect special treatment because they are veterans. There are soldiers who cannot work at certain jobs, because they are considered to be unworthy of serving in their units based upon a discharge they may have received.
The thing that people need to realize is that not every soldier who has left the military, is a bad individual. Yes, soldiers did swear to defend their country by raising their own right hand and putting on a uniform. The problem lies in the fact that when people go into the military, it is usually because they have a need of some sort. For a lot of people it is the best way to pull themselves out of a situation. Some people join to feed their children, to pay off the thousands of dollars of college loans and debts they are facing, others may enlist because they need a place to stay, or they want to start over in some way. It is very rare that you will find someone who joins just to fight for their country. Although, it does happen in some cases.
Our soldiers are ridiculed, for joining, persecuted for leaving, and mostly forgotten by those they have to face once they are back in the civilian world. These faces, the ones you see, our veterans both old and new deserve more than this. Our society needs to work to find better care for veterans who are disabled. Society needs to work to help veterans who cannot eat, or sleep, or live comfortably in a home. Our government needs to focus on getting veterans back into jobs and take into account all facts of a discharge before basing an employment decision on them.
The bottom line is our country is ungrateful. Veterans deserve more in this world. However, it seems like with our nation being so caught up in their world in which most Americans think only of themselves, it will be extremely hard to change the world we live in. How many times do we pass by a person with a hunger sign and just keep walking? How many times is it going to take for us to look at children who have no home because their parent was killed in action? How many times are we going to allow soldiers who are severely injured both physically and mentally to go without federal aid? What is it going to take? When are we going to stop and care? These are all questions many of our soldiers, your veterans ask themselves everyday. So I believe it is time for everyone to stop, think, and to listen. To go out and make the world a better place even if it's just something as small as making a child smile for the day. We must change our ways for one day we all shall be judged for our actions.
-Ashley N. Miller OIF Veteran
I support Moveon.org's stance on General Petrayous in the point he should be known as the Betray-us because he has done just that. He has betrayed his fellow soldiers by not taking a stand. Please do not let him get rewarded. Block him!
Well, its pretty much official:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/04/22/national/main4033774.shtml
The Army is once again preventing people from being released from their duty even after their obiligations end all in the spirit of keeping the War going. Imagine if this was applied to a Wal-Mart worker. The lawsuit would be incredible if Wal-Mart told someone they couldn't quit their job if they wanted to. Its a serious loss of rights. I have been military for over two decades and this is the one of the practices that amazes me that the military can get away with it!
We, in the military can not sue the government nor can we refuse to go. We have to have help from civilians to contact the Congress to prevent these practices. Even during Vietnam, soldiers were allowed to go home after their tours ended. Only under the current "War" do we lose this basic human right to choose how e are employed. Do not get me wrong, I love the military and my life is dedicated to my troops, BUT my troops and others should be allowed the right to say "No."
This basic denial of rights is ONE MORE REASON to have Senator Obama as our next President. With the removal of troops from Iraq, and eventually Afghanistan, our troops will not be "needed."
Click on link below to read the McCall article entitled "Obama keeps his faith despite criticism of pastor."
http://www.mcall.com/news/opinion/anotherview/all-right_col-a.6317486mar18,0,4493401.story
Obama Camp Fires Back on Iraq (click on link below to read article)
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/03/obama_camp_fires_back_on_iraq.html
Have we been so uninspired for so long by our politics that we cannot imagine the possibility of someone coming along who is unique in their approach? We keep trying to frame this movement that surrounds Barack Obama within our recent past… when we should be thinking of it in terms that are more accurate to its essence. In fact, this is new, this is different, and this is something that if it is to be framed at all, must be within the larger and longer-reaching historical context. It is easy for many of us to fall prey to the hope-killing machine that is our mainstream media. When we step aside and outside of that however, we start to realize that this movement to which we call ourselves a part, is so much more than what the evening newscast can grasp…more than they can understand, at least for now. This new thing, this positive movement in our history is up against a wall of cynicism. For so long we have been told that the best that we can hope for in our politicians is that they keep their noses clean most of the time and when they don’t, they don’t get caught…and when they get caught they attempt to spin the truth so fast and so hard that it becomes another truth….something that Webster would be hard-pressed to define. For in deceiving our opposition we have deceived ourselves. The truth will set you free in deed… but if you shackle your truth in hopes of winning whatever short-term battle you may be fighting at the time, you forfeit the core of your followers and betray the essence of your message. If many of us cannot look past our pessimism and hate, those of us that can must bring the light to the darkness, the truth to the disillusioned. We are all the same… at this moment what separates us is this debilitating negative culture of the American political front. Those of us that held out a tiny bit of hope that someday we would get our chance have found that day before us. Those that were battered by years of cutthroat politics and found ourselves engulfed within, so deep that it changed a tiny bit of our spirit.. we will need the consistent influence of those that have committed to the possibility of today….and found great inspiration, direction and a renewing of our national pride and soul. If hope is allowed to be cast as a dirty word, what shall be next?
