You remember the new GI Bill? The one that John McCain opposed because it was TOO GENEROUS to our troops fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan.
McCain can remind us again and again how he was a POW, so this proves that he cares about the troops, and I suspect he'll remind us of that fact yet again in response to this latest criticism from Biden, but it doesn't negate the fact that there are American service members in Iraq and Afghanistan who aren't getting more benefits because of John McCain. Tell them why John McCain didn't think their sacrifice merited all the benefits Senator Webb's bill was offering them. The Republicans like to talk all patriotic, but when you put their patriotism into practice, it doesn't look very patriotic at all. Make John McCain explain exactly what constitutes "too generous" for our troops?
From CBS:
"George Bush initially opposed it, John McCain stood with him and he called Jim Webb's effort, quote, too generous. Ladies and gentlemen, if John McCain had his way on that G.I. Bill, those military personnel who served two tours in Iraq or Afghanistan would not qualify for the same benefits that anyone in the 'regular Army or Marine corps' did."John McCain didn't even bother showing up to vote for the GI Bill when it came up on the Senate floor. Here is what Obama had to say at the time:
"Ask yourself the question, who supports our troops? Who supports those National Guard personnel? Who supports those reservists who make up 40 percent of the people?" asked Biden, and turned to Gov. Ed Rendell, D-Pa., in the crowd.
"I don't have to tell you that, Governor. You see them dispatched every day from your state, and you're there like I am when that flag-draped coffin comes home for some."
As he speech went on, Biden's tone turned from critical to one of disgust.
"I am sick and tired of this Republican garbage," Biden said to applause from the crowd of 3,000 supporters. "I am sick and tired of being told that we don't care."
While the McCain campaign called Biden's comments "absurd", a McCain campaign aide speaking on background, when asked if Biden was accurate in saying that McCain had called the G.I. Bill 'too generous', said "I don't know."
McCain, who is a veteran, said last spring that he feared the bill would deter soldiers from re-enlisting.
I respect senator John Mccain's service to our country. He is one of those heroes of which I speak. But I can't understand why he would line up behind the president in opposition to this G.I. bill. I can't believe why he believes it is too generous to our veterans. I could not disagree with him and the president more on this issue. There are many issues that lend themselves to partisan posturing, but giving our veterans the chance to go to college should not be one of them. I'm proud that so many Democrats and Republicans have come together to
2 comments:
Well, thank goodness there was opposition to the original bill - it made it much better. Now family members can use the benefit - keep in mind only about 10% of those eligible to use the Montgomery GI-bill did use it. Most serving on active duty that wanted to pursue a degree used tuition assistance (already up to 100% before the new GI-bill was adopted).
McCain was against it and voted NO.
Bush Vetoed the bill and it was Overridden.
McCain and Bush were wrong and that's why McCain has a grade of "D" on Veterans issues.
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