Republicans Hate Soldiers and Veterans

[SoCalDem]

The T. Rex Essay
Republicans Hate Soldiers and Veterans

http://quinnell.us/politics/essay/hatesoldiers.html


Yes, I did title this essay: "Republicans Hate Soldiers and Veterans." No, clearly not all of them, but certainly the Republicans in office hate soldiers and veterans. This idea dawned on me when I say a homeless man sitting on the side of the road with a sign that said "Homeless Vet." It was far from the first time I've seen such a thing. In Tallahassee alone, I've seen such signs at least a dozen times that I can remember in my lifetime. And just to show that this isn't just some fluke or that I'm imagining such things, the homeless shelter in Tallahassee has special services just for veterans. And the problem is a local one, it's a national one. The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that on any given night, there are 275,000 homeless veterans and that over the year, more than 500,000 veterans experience periods of homelessness. Almost one-fourth of all homeless people are veterans and veterans are twice as likely to become homeless as are non-veterans.

Now what does that have to do with Republicans? A number of things. The biggest is that everyone seems to think that Republicans love veterans and do whatever they can for our vets and soldiers while the Democrats hate those who have served their country and don't do anything for them. This is, of course, ridiculously wrong (with the exception of people like Bill Clinton, who didn't do a whole lot for veterans either). I'm not going to get into how good or bad Democrats are on this issue other than to say that they are better than the Republicans.

What have the Republicans done that is so bad? The Republicans have had partial or total control of the federal government since 1994, holding the House of Representatives the entire time, the Senate all but a year and a half and the White House since 2001. During this time, the federal government had huge budget surpluses (on paper). This means that they could've easily gotten any programs to help veterans and soldiers passed. They could've increased funding for veteran's programs and they could've improved the quality of life for active soldiers who are in harm's way. Have they done so? Clearly not.


much more..and tons of links

[BillyBlastoff]

1. Republicans in the military and retired military...

I've been bugged and awed during Bush's tenure that so many individuals in the military as well as many retired military personnel, support Bush. I've thought it was just blind dogma until I visited my Father recently. He and I went to the American Legion for cheap afternoon drinks and conversation. I kept a civil toungue and did my best not to instigate political discussions.

A report about Wes Clark flashed across the television screen. A retired Marine responded, "How do you like that. You know that guy was removed from his position as Commander of NATO forces." I said, "Well isn't that better than going AWOL?" The Marine said, "Bush didn't go AWOL. Did he?"

They don't know. To this day I'll bet the majority of people serving in the Military have no idea how Bush served this country.

[nadinbrzezinski]

2. I can tell you I showed the evidence

to my hubby, USN Chief, and he shared it with his pals... did not go
down very well, but for the most part you are correct

now there is something else, slowly it is dawning on many, these boys
have betrayed the Armed Forces... teh Republicans have betrayed
teh armed forces

Now bear in mind that people at the VFW, for the most part, are just in the know as much as most Americans, and the Bostom Globe Story did not make too much noise

[realFedUp]

4. Welcome to DU

Maybe you could pass out some information for them...
or point them to the right web sites.

Do you know about www.bushwatch.net

[jonoboy]

3. this is not a uniquely American thing

I have found that the more conservative people are in Australia and the UK and the greater the patriots they claim to be, they have no regard for the men and women who have fought their wars.

It's always the leftist governments that introduce legislation providing the most benefits.

Just one little example but it's telling..when Bush laid a wreath during his recent visit to Canberra at the War Memorial ( and he didn't even lay it himself..an assistant did) and said it was for Australia's only soldier killed in Afghanistan who he mentioned in his speech..the soldiers widow was completely ignored and left of all guests lists and only heard Bush mentioning her dead husbands name as she was shopping in a supermarket.

To conservatives its all rhetoric and bluster, fighting men are just pawns to be used when it suits.

http://smh.com.au/articles/2003/11/03/1067708123823.html

[JackSwift]

5. Nobody is a human being to them unless

it is family, and then it is only important because family members are belongings to them.