Just because, everybody knows he does. But...Well, well, well. Look what we have here. Typical. “The Troops” sure do come in handy for beating Democrats (note I do not say liberals, since we are not susceptible to this) into fearful submission.
But when it comes to paying for these guys? Forget about it.
I disagree with this writer’s stated conclusion of “ The most plausible explanation for McCain's reluctance is the White House's resistance to the bill, with the argument that such an effort would affect military retention rates.” Firstly, there is rarely one explanation for anything, and it’s annoyingly stupid for a writer to claim that there is. Secondly, you better believe that these guys kneel in fealty to the Grover Norquists of their party, and there ain’t no troop worth spending money on, because that means taxes, got it?
MCCAIN GETS FLAK ON THE NEW GI BILL...
It would seem like a no-brainer for any presidential candidate: a bill, introduced by two veterans, with the support of veterans associations around the country, that increases the opportunity for vets to go to college.
Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have co-sponsored a bill put forth last fall by Jim Webb of Virginia and Chuck Hagel, Republican from Nebraska, called the "Post-9/11 Veterans' Educational Act," that is a return to the spirit of the World War II GI Bill, with enough funding such that every returning veteran is guaranteed a quality education.
The bill, put forth as the first step in making "A 21st Century GI Bill," would give veterans who qualified tuition for a full four years of college, as well as a stipend for books and living expenses. Currently, veterans are covered by the Montgomery GI bill, which requires that troops pay $100 a month during their service, which then qualifies them for around $800 per month for college tuition. As Webb and Hagel pointed out in an op-ed last year, that barely covers courses and books at many community colleges, let alone a state school or private university.
So where's McCain on this, who has made "support the troops" his campaign mantra? When asked in March by a representative of Student Veterans of America why he wouldn't co-sponsor the bill, McCain wavered and mumbled, saying, "Uh, I haven't had the chance to examine the bill." Several weeks later, it seems he still hasn't had a chance to, and needless to say, many aren't happy.
"McCain needs to be on this bill," Webb told reporters recently. "I have said to him several times that this is not a political issue." And this week, Vote Vets and Brave New Films made a fascinating video featuring young vets talking about their own difficulties getting access to education and calling on McCain to sign on to the bill.
The most plausible explanation for McCain's reluctance is the White House's resistance to the bill, with the argument that such an effort would affect military retention rates. But from the so-called "maverick," and a veteran, one would expect better.
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=307120
But when it comes to paying for these guys? Forget about it.
I disagree with this writer’s stated conclusion of “ The most plausible explanation for McCain's reluctance is the White House's resistance to the bill, with the argument that such an effort would affect military retention rates.” Firstly, there is rarely one explanation for anything, and it’s annoyingly stupid for a writer to claim that there is. Secondly, you better believe that these guys kneel in fealty to the Grover Norquists of their party, and there ain’t no troop worth spending money on, because that means taxes, got it?
MCCAIN GETS FLAK ON THE NEW GI BILL...
It would seem like a no-brainer for any presidential candidate: a bill, introduced by two veterans, with the support of veterans associations around the country, that increases the opportunity for vets to go to college.
Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have co-sponsored a bill put forth last fall by Jim Webb of Virginia and Chuck Hagel, Republican from Nebraska, called the "Post-9/11 Veterans' Educational Act," that is a return to the spirit of the World War II GI Bill, with enough funding such that every returning veteran is guaranteed a quality education.
The bill, put forth as the first step in making "A 21st Century GI Bill," would give veterans who qualified tuition for a full four years of college, as well as a stipend for books and living expenses. Currently, veterans are covered by the Montgomery GI bill, which requires that troops pay $100 a month during their service, which then qualifies them for around $800 per month for college tuition. As Webb and Hagel pointed out in an op-ed last year, that barely covers courses and books at many community colleges, let alone a state school or private university.
So where's McCain on this, who has made "support the troops" his campaign mantra? When asked in March by a representative of Student Veterans of America why he wouldn't co-sponsor the bill, McCain wavered and mumbled, saying, "Uh, I haven't had the chance to examine the bill." Several weeks later, it seems he still hasn't had a chance to, and needless to say, many aren't happy.
"McCain needs to be on this bill," Webb told reporters recently. "I have said to him several times that this is not a political issue." And this week, Vote Vets and Brave New Films made a fascinating video featuring young vets talking about their own difficulties getting access to education and calling on McCain to sign on to the bill.
The most plausible explanation for McCain's reluctance is the White House's resistance to the bill, with the argument that such an effort would affect military retention rates. But from the so-called "maverick," and a veteran, one would expect better.
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?pid=307120
