I have spent too many years paying attention to what politicians say and what they end up doing to have not noticed McCain. While far too many veterans and families want to just assume McCain is one of us and therefore will be a friend to veterans, his record has been one of being an advisory instead of advocate.
The Arizona senator detailed some of his plans for the Department of
Veterans Affairs, including quicker service, expanded benefits and
reforms.
"I will lead from the front (of veterans affairs)," said McCain.http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080818/NEWS05/80818002/1007
The truth McCain cannot get away from is his voting record. It's been against Veterans. The assumption that because McCain is a veteran and will take care of veterans has not been supported by facts. It's almost as if McCain doesn't have to prove anything he says because he's a veteran. Of all the people in office today, McCain should have been a champion of veterans, especially considering he is one, he's a disabled veteran on top of that and also had every need as a veteran taken care of by the nation. When it came to the VA being under-funded and unable to take care of the wounded veterans, McCain voted against the funding increase.
PRINCETON, NJ -- With both presidential candidates addressing the Veterans of Foreign Wars convention this week (John McCain on Monday and Barack Obama on Tuesday), Gallup finds that registered voters who have served in the U.S. military solidly back McCain over Obama, 56% to 34%.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/109654/Veterans-Solidly-Back-McCain.aspx
Backlog of veterans’ benefits appeals growing bigger
McCain claims to not match voting record
McCain claims do not match voting recordby Kathie Costos
The biggest problem McCain has, is McCain. He can say whatever he wants and hope all he wants the American people have not been paying attention to what is real and what is manufactured, scripted to portray him as supporting the troops and veterans, but the record is clear. It shows in his votes and his speeches. Here are just some of those votes with links for more eye openers.McCain was against the GI bill because he said it was "too generous" and then we have this
Referring to Iraq in his closing comments Monday, McCain said he recognized Americans have grown tired of the war and the mistakes made, "but we cannot react to those mistakes by embracing a course of action that will be an even greater mistake, a mistake of colossal historical proportions."
click link for the rest of this with McCain's voting record.
But this is what he claims on his website:
John McCain Believes We Must Provide Our Veterans With World-Class Health Care. We must fully fund the Veterans Affairs (VA) health care budget in a timely and predictable manner. Those who have risked their lives in service to their fellow citizens deserve nothing less than the best medical care in the world.
Modern Warfare Injuries: John McCain co-authored the Wounded Warrior Act, which, among other things, was the first major legislative initiative to address injuries specific to the War on Terror. As President, he will build on this legislation and work to provide greatly enhanced screening and treatment and to foster greater cooperation between the Department of Defense and the VA.
So why is it that it took a Democrat to being this when McCain was part of the problem that allowed all these problems to happen and voted against doing anything about it before the Democrats took control of the House and Senate?Sen. Harry Reid [D-NV]: Mr. President, I yesterday asked by unanimous consent that we adopt the Wounded Warrior legislation that was brought to the Senate during the Defense authorization bill in a form of a bipartisan amendment. A number of Senators worked very hard. Senator Murray is on the floor. She worked very hard, and a number of Senators have worked very hard on this legislation. It came about as a result of what we learned at Walter Reed about how our returning troops from Iraq and Afghanistan were being basically neglected. They had been wounded, and they were receiving unacceptable and poor treatment when they came home. That failure was learned about--not only about the veterans care system, which had many bureaucratic failures, but also the physical facilities that were there failed to meet a minimum level of acceptability. The American people were outraged by the facts that came to light, and the Senate took prompt action.
The Wounded Warrior amendment, now in legislation that is before the Senate, would address the substandard facilities we have talked about and we have seen. It would address the lack of seamless transition and develop one when medical care for troops is transferred from the Department of Defense to the Veterans' Administration, which oftentimes in the past has led to diminished care. It addresses the inadequacy of severance pay. It addresses the need for improved sharing of medical records between the Department of Defense and the Veterans' Administration. We are told now that there are as many as 600,000 pending claims of returning veterans. It addresses the inadequate care and treatment of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, and a number of other very important items.
So I again renew my request. Yesterday we were told that the Republicans were looking at this. Mr. President, I am going to renew this request. There are all kinds of reasons, I guess, for objecting to something such as this. Now I am told the reason for objecting is the pay raise isn't included. The Wounded Warrior legislation becomes effective upon passage and approval. The pay raise for the troops doesn't become effective until October 1 or January 1--I don't know how the legislation reads, but it is not now. So that would not be a good reason in my estimation, and I think in the estimation of these wounded warriors, for objecting.
The pay raise does not become effective until the beginning of the fiscal year. In fact, I think it is January 1 of next year. It is different than a number of things we pass. But it does not become effective now. So if that is a reason for objecting, it is a poor reason, because they are two different issues. One is the pay raise does not become effective now; this does become effective.
Quick Info
H.R. 1538: Dignified Treatment of Wounded Warriors Act
Last Action: Senate ordered measure printed as passed.
Status: Passed House, Passed Senate
Quick Info
H.R. 1585: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008
Last Action: On motion to refer the bill and the accompanying veto message to the Committee on Armed Services. Agreed to by voice vote.
Status: Vetoed by President
So I ask unanimous consent that the Armed Services Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 1538, and the Senate proceed to its immediate consideration; that the substitute amendment at the desk, which is the text of the Wounded Warriors provision in H.R. 1585, be considered and agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time, passed, and the motion to reconsider be laid on the table; and any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record, with no intervening action or debate.
Sponsor:
Rep. Ike Skelton [D-MO]show cosponsors (28)
Cosponsors [as of 2008-09-15]
Rep. Neil Abercrombie [D-HI]
Rep. Todd Akin [R-MO]
Rep. Shelley Berkley [D-NV]
Rep. Brian Bilbray [R-CA]
Rep. Nancy Boyda [D-KS]
Rep. Jo Ann Davis [R-VA]
Rep. Susan Davis [D-CA]
Rep. William Delahunt [D-MA]
Rep. Bob Filner [D-CA]
Rep. John Gingrey [R-GA]
Rep. Samuel Graves [R-MO]
Rep. Jane Harman [D-CA]
Rep. Robin Hayes [R-NC]
Rep. Duncan Hunter [R-CA]
Rep. Henry Johnson [D-GA]
Rep. John McHugh [R-NY]
Rep. Mike McIntyre [D-NC]
Rep. Jeff Miller [R-FL]
Rep. Jon Porter [R-NV]
Rep. Silvestre Reyes [D-TX]
Rep. Michael Rogers [R-AL]
Rep. James Saxton [R-NJ]
Rep. William Shuster [R-PA]
Rep. Victor Snyder [D-AR]
Rep. Mark Souder [R-IN]
Rep. Ellen Tauscher [D-CA]
Rep. Mark Udall [D-CO]
Rep. Timothy Walberg [R-MI]
Cosponsorship information sometimes is out of date. Why?
Bill Text:
Summary Full Text
Status:
Introduced
Mar 15, 2007
Scheduled for Debate
Mar 20, 2007
Amendments (13 proposed) [details]
Passed House [details]
Mar 28, 2007
Passed Senate
Jul 25, 2007
Women Veterans: The VA must respond to the specialized health care needs of women veterans, including victims of sexual assault.
Outreach: Every veteran should receive easy-to-understand, comprehensive information about the rights and benefits he or she has earned. As President, John McCain will ensure that the promises of the Wounded Warrior Act are fulfilled -- including the establishment of a Wounded Warrior Resource Center, accessible information and clear pathways to rehabilitation, and documentation of the long-term needs of the veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.
Family Caregivers: Care provided by a parent, spouse, or child can be instrumental in the recovery of a wounded or ill service member. The VA and the Department of Defense must expand educational programs for family members to teach them how to properly care for their injured or ill loved ones.
http://www.johnmccain.com/informing/news/PressReleases
/675b00d4-a791-414c-9534-7ca7283d16a2.htm
While we had two occupations going on in Afghanistan and Iraq, McCain did not take a stand to increase funding for the VA to match the need. When others did, he fought against them. What all this lead to is what we see today.
We see veterans coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan with wounds and being trapped in a backlog of claims that increased over the years, being turned away from VA hospitals and finding financial devastation. McCain's answer was to vote against increased spending for the VA and to push to have it privatized by treating non-combat veterans as a sub-class of veterans thinking he can hand them a card to take their healthcare issues elsewhere. This was his answer instead of keeping promises to veterans to take care of their health needs for having been willing to lay down their lives for the sake of this nation.
McCain voted against time between deployments for the sake of the troops when all experts said it was needed to take care of the active military.
09/19/2007
Time Between Troop Deployments
S Amdt 2909
N
Amendment Rejected - Senate(56 - 44
McCain voted against Veterans or did not bother to vote at all.
05/22/2008
GI Bill and Other Domestic ProvisionsS Amdt 4803
NV
Amendment Adopted - Senate(75 - 22)
01/22/2008
Defense Authorizations BillHR 4986
NV
Bill Passed - Senate(91 - 3)
10/01/2007
National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008HR 1585
NV
Bill Passed - Senate(92 - 3)
02/02/2006
Tax Rate Extension AmendmentHR 4297
N
Motion Rejected - Senate(44 - 53)
11/17/2005
Additional Funding For Veterans AmendmentS 2020
N
Motion Rejected - Senate(43 - 55)
10/05/2005
Health Care for Veterans AmendmentHR 2863
N
Motion Failed - Senate(48 - 51)
U.S. Senate Roll Call Votes 109th Congress - 2nd Session
as compiled through Senate LIS by the Senate Bill Clerk under the direction of the Secretary of the Senate
Vote Summary
Question: On the Amendment (Akaka Amdt. No. 3007 )
Vote Number:
41
Vote Date:
March 14, 2006, 04:22 PM
Required For Majority:
1/2
Vote Result:
Amendment Rejected
Amendment Number:
S.Amdt. 3007 to S.Con.Res. 83
Statement of Purpose:
To increase Veterans medical services funding by $1.5 billion in FY 2007 to be paid for by closing corporate tax loopholes.
McCain (R-AZ), Nay
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=2&vote=00041
McCain has a history of not supporting veterans. The following is a long list from the AFLCIO
AND HE REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST FUNDING FOR THE VETERANS AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
1994: McCain Voted Against Funding the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of nine senators to vote against appropriating $90 billion in budget authority for the Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development departments. (H.R. 4624, Vote 306, 9/27/94)
1995: McCain Voted Against Closing Tax Loopholes to Increase Veterans Funding by $74 Million. McCain voted against eliminating tax breaks and closing tax loopholes to provide revenue to restore some of the proposed cuts in Veterans Affairs spending. (S.C.R. 13, Vote 226, 5/25/95)
1995: McCain Voted to Underfund Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 billion. (H.R. 2099, Vote 470, 9/27/95)
1996: McCain Voted Against a $13 Billion Increase in Funding for Veterans Programs. McCain voted against an amendment to increase spending on veterans programs by $13 billion. (S.C.R. 57, Vote 115, 5/16/96)
1999: McCain Voted Against $44.3 Billion for Veterans Programs. McCain was one of five senators to vote against a bill providing $44.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, plus funding for other federal agencies. (H.R. 2684, Vote 328, 10/15/99)
2000: McCain Voted Against $47 Billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain was one of eight senators to vote against a bill that provided $47 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs. (H.R. 4635, Vote 272, 10/12/00)
2001: McCain Voted Against $51 Billion in Veterans Funding. McCain was one of five senators to vote against the bill and seven to vote against the conference report that provided $51.1 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as funding for the federal housing, environmental and emergency management agencies and NASA. (H.R. 2620, Vote 334, 11/8/01; Vote 269, 8/2/01)
2003: McCain Voted Against $122.7 Billion for Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted against an appropriations bill that included $122.7 billion in fiscal 2004 for the Department of Veterans Affairs, Housing and Urban Development and other related agencies. (H.R. 2861, Vote 449, 11/12/03)
VOTED AGAINST VETERANS 4/26/06Vote 98: H R 4939: Akaka Amdt. No. 3642 as Amended; To provide an additional $430,000,000 for the Department of Veteran Affairs for Medical Services for outpatient care and treatment for veterans.McCain voted No GOP voted Yes Democrats voted Yes
McCAIN ALSO VOTED TO OUTSOURCE JOBS AT MILITARY FACILITIES
McCain Supported Outsourcing VA Jobs. McCain opposed an amendment that would have prevented the Department of Veterans Affairs from outsourcing jobs, many held by blue-collar veterans, without first giving the workers a chance to compete. (S.Amdt. 2673 to H.R. 2642, Vote 315, 9/6/07)
He Also Supported Outsourcing at Walter Reed. McCain opposed an amendment to prevent the outsourcing of 350 federal employee jobs at Walter Reed Army Medical Center—outsourcing that contributed to the scandalous treatment of veterans at Walter Reed that McCain called a “disgrace.” (S.Amdt. 4895 to H.R. 5631, Vote 234, 9/6/06; Speech to VFW in Kansas City, Mo., 4/4/08)
McCAIN HAS NOT DELIVERED ON HIS PROMISES TO VETERANS
Union members respect Sen. John McCain’s service to our country. When will he start respecting ours? Although McCain talks about his support for veterans, he repeatedly votes against increased funding for veterans’ health care—and more. We call on John McCain to join us in supporting our veterans and working to turn around America.
McCAIN REPEATEDLY VOTED AGAINST VETERANS’ HEALTH BENEFITS
McCain Opposes the 21st Century GI Bill Because It Is Too Generous. McCain did not vote on the GI Bill that will provide better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would “encourage more people to leave the military.” (S.Amdt. 4803 to H.R. 2642, Vote 137, 5/22/08; Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/2/08; Boston Globe, 5/23/08; ABCNews.com, 5/26/08)
McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans’ Health Care. Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans’ health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans’ health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07)
Opposed an Assured Funding Stream for Veterans’ Health Care. McCain opposed providing an assured funding stream for veterans’ health care, taking into account annual changes in veterans’ population and inflation. (S.Amdt. 3141 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 63, 3/16/06)
McCain Voted Against Adding More Than $400 Million for Veterans’ Care. McCain was one of 13 Republicans to vote against providing an additional $430 million to the Department of Veterans Affairs for outpatient care and treatment for veterans. (S.Amdt. 3642 to H.R. 4939, Vote 98, 4/26/06)
Voted Against Establishing a $1 Billion Trust Fund for Military Health Facilities. McCain voted against establishing a $1 billion trust fund to improve military health facilities by refusing to repeal tax cuts for those making more than $1 million a year. (S.Amdt. 2735 to S.Amdt. 2707 to H.R. 4297, Vote 7, 2/2/06)
McCain Opposed $500 Million for Counseling Services for Veterans with Mental Disorders. McCain voted against an amendment to appropriate $500 million annually from 2006-2010 for counseling, mental health and rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with mental illness, posttraumatic stress disorder or substance abuse. (S. 2020, S.Amdt. 2634, Vote 343, 11/17/05)
McCain Voted in Support of Disabled Veterans Only 25 Percent of the Time from 2004-2005. While McCain claims he “has been a leading advocate” for veterans with disabilities, statistics show he supported the Disabled American Veterans’ interests only 25 percent of the time in 2004-2005. In 2006, that figure slipped to 20 percent of the time. (Project Vote Smart)
McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans. McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-ofliving adjustments for certain veterans’ benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91)
INCLUDING BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR GUARD AND RESERVISTS
McCain Opposed Increasing Spending on TRICARE and Giving Greater Access to National Guard and Reservists. Although his campaign website devotes a large section to veterans issues, including expanding benefits for reservists and members of the National Guard, McCain voted against increasing spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to the health care program. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy. (www.johnmccain.com/Informing/ Issues/9cb5d2aa-f237-464e-9cdf-a5ad32771b9f.htm; S.Amdt. 324 to S.C.R. 23, Vote 81, 3/25/03)
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_vets.cfm
If you do not spend the time to look up his record, you will keep voting against your best interest. If you assume someone is your friend and do not notice what he does behind your back, you are embracing your enemy. It is very hard to think that a veteran would turn his back on veterans but that is exactly what McCain's history has proven. It is also the reason why every major service organization has come out against McCain. He earned their anger. Why aren't you angry yet?
Senior Chaplain Kathie Costos
Namguardianangel@aol.com
www.Namguardianangel.org
www.Woundedtimes.blogspot.com
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive veterans of early wars were treated and appreciated by our nation." - George Washington
No comments:
Post a Comment
If it is not helpful, do not be hurtful. Spam removed so do not try putting up free ad.