McCain Not The Best Choice For Vets

McCain Not The Best Choice For Vets Posted 2008-09-26




By Danuel L. Smith

IT IS THE consensus that most veterans and active-duty military members will vote Republican. Not only is John McCain a veteran but he also has a military background that speaks of sacrifice and honor. However, there are many reasons military people can turn to the Democrat Party for leadership. In this country the votes of the military might be divided a little more equitably between the two parties, not only because having a monolithic vote for one party is intrinsically unhealthy, but because there are good reasons for veterans to vote Democrat this year.

It was always my instinct that, given the choice, I would support a veteran for public office over a nonveteran. But not this time. I served this country for more than 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. My son, a Naval officer, has just returned from Iraq. After retiring from the Corps, I continued to work as an advocate for the benefits of all veterans. I respect Sen. McCain for the service he gave to his country and for the sacrifices he made. I have also followed his 26-year Senate career closely. But in this coming presidential election I must support Sen. Obama.

Sen. McCain’s record in the Senate does not demonstrate to me that he supports the needs of today’s veterans.

He has voted against the 21st Century GI Bill, which would increase funding for college to a level equal to today’s tuition. Education benefits are one of the main reasons recruits join the all-volunteer force. If politicians continue to oppose National Service we must attract motivated individuals to enlist.

The World War II GI Bill was one of the best programs to come out of that war. It enabled more than 3 million GIs to obtain college degrees and paid the nation back an estimated $4 for every $1 spent. We need a modern version updated to reflect today’s tuition and cost of living rates. It also helped millions to be able to buy their first home.

Sen. McCain was against the Walter Reed Trust Fund, which would have provided $1 billion to update the facilities for wounded servicemen. He voted against increased funding for treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and drug abuse programs. Combat is a terrorizing experience; some cannot adjust to a peacetime society or need help adjusting. Now, with the nation at war in two countries, is not the time to ration mental health care. It must be expanded to ensure these injured veterans return to the civilian world as productive members.

Sen. McCain is in favor of closing the VA medical centers and privatizing veterans’ health care, and is in favor of the continued rationing of health care through the current system. Wartime is not the time for new experiments: we need a proven system that works. Wounded veterans deserve all we can give them: not less.

Sen. Obama, a nonveteran, on the other hand, has supported all the above issues in favor of the veteran, and he is in support of opening the VA health care system to all veterans. Currently, health care for veterans is restricted by income; those above a certain level of income are denied treatment, others are required to make a copayment. There are entitlements and obligations. Fair treatment of our veterans is a national obligation: they earned it.

In the Marine Corps, we were proud of the way we took care of the Marines under our command. We were taught to respect each Marine and treat him or her with understanding and dignity. I believe that now we need a national leader who will do the same. I do not believe we need a president with a record such as Sen. McCain’s.

Historically, veterans have a high voter turnout. I ask each voting veteran to carefully study the issues and compare each candidate. You will conclude that it does not take a veteran to do what is right for veterans. Barack Obama is the candidate who will do what is right for us. It may be that Sen. Obama’s early work as a community organizer established in him the principles of service. Whatever was responsible for forming his point of view, Sen. Obama is more in tune with today’s world than Sen. McCain.

Health care and education are among the most important issues facing our nation. Sen. Obama is the one who will ensure that today’s Veterans are proud to serve.

McCain Not The Best Choice For Vets

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