The Bush/McCain Republicans Refuse to Support America's Veterans

The Bush/McCain Republicans Refuse to Support America's Veterans


The Democratic Senators unanimously support a new GI Bill to help returning Veterans, providing them with full tuition, room and board to give them more education opportunities.

George Bush, John McCain, and all but 9 Republican Senators are oppsing this support for Veterans, going so far as to threaten a fillibuster to prevent a vote on this.

General Wesley Clark, Robert Greenwald, and Captain Jon Soltz are joining together to demand Republicans support our Veterans:




I think it is useless to try and get McCain behind this. Ironically McCain, along with most Republican Senators, get very poor ratings from Veterans and Solder advocacy groups. From Project Vote Smart, here are John McCain's ratings on Veterans' Issues from 2004 on:

2006 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 20 percent in 2006.

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator McCain a grade of D.

2006 Senator McCain sponsored or co-sponsored 18 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association in 2006.

2005 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 25 percent in 2005.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 50 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator McCain supported the interests of the The Retired Enlisted Association 0 percent in 2004.

Pretty dismal record. But it is also pretty typical for Republican Senators. Let's look at a few examples of Republican Senators up for re-election this year.

How about Ted Stevens, Senator from Alaska. Here are his ratings on Veterans' issues:

2006 Senator Stevens supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 40 percent in 2006.

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Stevens a grade of D.

2006 Senator Stevens sponsored or co-sponsored 6 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association in 2006.

2005 Senator Stevens supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 33 percent in 2005.

2004 Senator Stevens supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Stevens supported the interests of the The Retired Enlisted Association 0 percent in 2004.

Also dismal.

How about Norm Coleman of Minnesota:

2006 Senator Coleman supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 40 percent in 2006.

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Coleman a grade of D.

2006 Senator Coleman sponsored or co-sponsored 29 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association in 2006.

2005 Senator Coleman supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 50 percent in 2005.

2004 Senator Coleman supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Coleman supported the interests of the The Retired Enlisted Association 0 percent in 2004.

Dismal.

How about Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma:

2006 Senator Inhofe supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 40 percent in 2006.

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Inhofe a grade of D-.

2006 Senator Inhofe sponsored or co-sponsored 6 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association in 2006.

2005 Senator Inhofe supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 33 percent in 2005.

2004 Senator Inhofe supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Inhofe supported the interests of the The Retired Enlisted Association 0 percent in 2004.

Dismal again!

How about Gordon Smith of Oregon:

2006 Senator Smith supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 40 percent in 2006.

2006 In 2006 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave Senator Smith a grade of C-.

2006 Senator Smith sponsored or co-sponsored 12 percent of the legislation favored by the The Retired Enlisted Association in 2006.

2005 Senator Smith supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 42 percent in 2005.

2004 Senator Smith supported the interests of the Disabled American Veterans 0 percent in 2004.

2004 Senator Smith supported the interests of the The Retired Enlisted Association 0 percent in 2004.

Seems like Republicans like to beat their chests and TALK about supporting our troops, but when it comes to actually helping our Veterans they suddenly forget what these soldiers have given to our coutry and turn their backs on them. Disgusting. By all means tell John McCain to support our Veterans...but his record is as dismal as the bulk of the Republican Party on this issue.

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