Why do some Veterans still support McCain considering his voting record?

[SHRED]

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His voting record should be front and center but the heart-string-pulling stories are what the American people get their feelings worked up over.
Apparently many like being told warm and fuzzy falg wrapped stories with which to shape their views rather than the cold hard truth about McCain as evidenced last night at the RNC.

His "Nay" and "Not Voting" on Veteran's Issues are where we get a better idea of who he really is:

– Voted AGAINST an amendment providing $20 billion to the VA’s medical facilities.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00111


– Voted AGAINST providing $430 million to the VA for outpatient care “and treatment for veterans,” one of only 13 senators to do so.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00098

– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.5 billion by closing corporate loopholes.
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00041

– Voted AGAINST increasing VA funding by $1.8 billion by ending “abusive tax loopholes.”
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=108&session=2&vote=00040


http://www.votesmart.org/voting_category.php?can_id=53270&type=category&category=66&go.x=11&go.y=11

[Captain Hilts]

1. Great summary!

[atreides1]

2. A misplaced sense of Loyalty

And possibly a little self imposed ignorance!!!

[Gman]

3. Very simple answer

They've never taken advantage of VA benefits. Most don't want to, a very many don't even know what's available to them. Many see VA benefits as a last resort, i.e. they're out of work, no medical benefits. Many consider it a form of welfare/something free that they're taking advantage of.

[atreides1]

7. I don't think so

I know vets who support McCain and at the same time take advantage of their benefits.

Prior to leaving the service all of my benefits were explained to me, including my VA benefits. I utilized my VA benefits when I first got out of the Army, but stopped when I got a job with health benefits.

I don't use them now, mainly because these troops coming back need it more then I do, besides my wife is retired USAF and we have Tricare coverage.

[Gman]

10. I guess the better answer is that

they don't need the benefits and therefore don't make the connection between those benefits and McCain voting against them. You are correct that there are vets that support McCain. I know some also that use the VA and support McCain. But whenever I've discussed the VA budget cuts over the last couple of years with them, it seems like news to them. Many agree that we need Democrats in office to bring the budget back to where it needs to be. Others (if I know they lean GOP), I just say something along the lines of the budget cuts can't continue and something has just got to change, especially with the kids just now coming back from Iraq. Most readily agree and I've yet to run across one that outright disagrees.

BTW, I'm not a vet, but on occasion I do contract work for the VA working with special needs vets one on one.

[floridablue]

4. The same reason union members voted for

RayGun and Nixon perhaps ????? Whatever that diluted reasoning was.

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

5. The same people supported Bush and maligned Kerry. That says it all.

It's all about party.

[WinkyDink]

6. It's pretty painful to come to terms with being used for nothing but making the rich richer.

So cognitive dissonance rules.

[KewlKat]

8. Partly, It's the illusion that the repubs keep us safe

My grandfather told me as a child that if repubs were in the whitehouse we'd have war, with democrats we'd have prosperity. Why does this nation choose war (electing repubs) over prosperity (electing dems)? Maybe it's all the miltary contracts and corporations that drive this so they can make billions supplying the items needed in war? If the hierarchy in the military express this same sendiment (keeping us safe) then it's surely going to trickle down the chain. I also don't know of very many in the armed forces that really pay attention to what's going on in politics. They spew the soundbites and half truths, as do the other uniformed voters. Maybe moving every few years and being somewhat disconnected in communities, they don't have the time to really dig for the truth and politics is really taboo discussion in their environment. I don't know......it's puzzling. I've found in the military environment that either you're for McC or against him. Of those from the Nam era, many are very much against him. Maybe those that like him just respect his having served?

[pleah]

9. Their brainwashing was successful. n/t