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Articles : IraqCongress: Money for War, But No Money for the Troops
When it comes to hypocritical “Support the Troops” rhetoric, I thought I’d seen it all. But I was wrong. This week, a small group of Democrats are using back door dealings to torpedo the widely-supported new GI Bill. For anyone new to the issue, here’s the bottom line up front:
In 1944, FDR signed the original GI Bill, which gave every veteran a chance to go to college. It paid for tuition, fees, and books, and gave veterans a living stipend. The GI Bill helped the “Greatest Generation” readjust to civilian life, it helped pull us out of a post-war recession, and it helped build the middle class. Every dollar spent on educational benefits under the original GI Bill added at least seven dollars to the national economy.
Today, 1.7 million troops have come home from Iraq and Afghanistan, but the GI Bill no longer covers anything like the cost of college. So a bipartisan coalition of veterans now serving in the Senate introduced a new GI Bill, modeled on the World War II legislation. This bill recently got added to the war funding bill currently in Congress.
In the real world, two things are obvious:
1) If you send troops to war, caring for the veterans who come home is an unavoidable and necessary cost of that war.
2) The GI Bill is a proven program, and a smart financial investment that pays for itself.
It just makes sense. That’s why the 300-plus Senators and Representatives from both parties and all the major veterans organizations in America have endorsed the legislation.
In Washington, however, it seems like nothing is ever easy. A couple of Congressmen, including Rep. John Tanner (D-TN), Jim Cooper (D-TN), and Allen Boyd (D-FL), all members of the Blue Dog Coalition, have gotten together to OPPOSE paying for the GI Bill this week. (If you live in their districts, you can urge them to support the GI Bill by clicking here.)
As Representative Tanner quipped, “Some of us oppose creating a new entitlement program in an emergency spending bill, whether it’s butchers, bakers or candlestick makers.” Really? Does the Congressman usually explain major policy decisions by quoting Mother Goose?
Seriously, though—by saying that the GI Bill shouldn’t be in the war funding bill, Representative Tanner is supporting the war, but not the warriors. That kind of thinking used to only appear in parodies. Moreover, these Representatives insist on referring to the GI Bill as a “new entitlement” – even though we’ve had a GI Bill for more than 60 years. But the most remarkable logical pirouette they’ve offered so far is that they oppose the GI Bill because they are “fiscal conservatives.”
Our government has been paying for basically the entire war “off-budget”—the equivalent of racking up billions in credit card debt. Everyone thinks this is a bad way of doing business. But it’s not the whole supplemental that these Congressmen are threatening to vote against; it’s just the GI Bill. For those of you playing along at home, here’s what that looks like:
This circle is the spending bill we’re talking about. The big red part? That’s spending that is A-OK with these Congressmen (more than $180 billion). It’s that tiny blue sliver that represents the GI Bill, and that’s the dealbreaker for these folks ($780 million).
It’s absurd. Anyone who can find the money to fund the war has no excuse for voting against the tiny fraction of money needed for veterans’ education benefits. The fiscal conservative argument seems even more ludicrous once you realize that even five years of spending on the GI Bill would only cost as much as nine weeks of war in Iraq.
While their arguments seem asinine to anyone outside the Beltway, they are putting a serious speedbump in the way of the new GI Bill. Do I think sanity will prevail on this issue? I hope so. One of the leaders of the Blue Dogs is Representative Stephanie Herseth-Sandlin (D-SD), a dedicated supporter of veterans. She may be able to get her troops in line. If not, I’d love to see those members of Congress find a way to explain to their constituents in an election year that they voted for a $170-billion war bill, and then also voted to nickel-and-dime the troops who are fighting that war.
As President Roosevelt said, the GI Bill “gives emphatic notice to the men and women in our armed forces that the American people do not intend to let them down.” Please help us show these members of Congress that Americans’ support for our troops is no different today than it was 60 years ago. You can join us at www.GIBIll2008.org.
Paul Rieckhoff is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the Executive Director and Founder of IAVA (Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America), the country’s first and largest Iraq Veterans group.
Posted by anthony
Anthony Lappé is GNN's Executive Editor. He's written for The New York Times, Details, New York, Paper, The Fader and Vice, among many others. He has worked as a producer for MTV and Fuse. He is the co-author of GNN's True Lies and the producer of their Iraq doc,...
This article “gives emphatic notice to the men and women in our armed forces that the American people do not intend to let them down.”
What a photo to head up GNN! Laying it oon a bit thin. don’t u think?
Veterans of Street Hooking Post 101, why not?
All of the true Democrats should be voting against this supplemental funding bill in the first place. But since they want to try and play a game with Bush they have inserted the 21st Century GI Bill into the supplemental funding for the occupations along with other measures so that they can pass the occupation funding and then dare Bush to veto this necessary improvement to the current GI Bill. This is partisan politics interfering with a bill that has massive support all across the isle of the two similar parties, except McCain who felt he could create his own bill. This is bullshit. The Iraq Study Group told the representatives of this country in late 2006 that the best way to move forward with the occupation of Iraq was not through supplemental funding bills yet the Congress continues to cave in to the demands of the administration and use this method of continuing to fund the two occupations.
However I digress into something that no one in power wants to fix. How about the money for the new GI Bill? Just where is the money coming to fund the occupation? Hasn’t the Pentagon said the GI Bill actually makes them money since so few veterans actually can and do use the whole amount they are eligible for? So if they make money how do they figure that actually spending money on veterans will be so bad. They pay plenty of money for ROTC and Academy graduates to get their education and they are leaving at the end of their first term in record numbers. So how is having them serve four years any different than an enlisted military member being rewarded at the end of their service period. The benefits to giving a benefit which actually allows someone to go to any school they want makes perfect sense as Rieckhoff has stated above and because the current payments are not enough unless you are going to a community college. For my own experience with the GI Bill, I have had my financial aid package be in need of adjustment because of the paperwork you fill out saying that you are getting the GI Bill being ignored. Thats right, you check a box and tell them how much your GI Bill payment will be when you fill out a FAFSA but the financial aid office doesn’t look at the results for this box they have to get word from the Veterans benefit’s office before knowing that you are getting the GI Bill. So because of this I have had to take a few hours out of my schedule each semester I have been getting financial aid and the GI Bill to fix my aid package. I have also had to call multiple times from abroad to get a payment for summer months. It took me until late August to get my payments for June and July when I was studying abroad and went into the office and specifically asked the person if I would have trouble getting paid while abroad. Her repsonse when I called in July was that she didn’t know I was in classes. There are other problems such as the first semester that you start school and want the GI Bill you have better be prepared to wait three months to get any money. Is this how veterans should be treated? I have friends and I have met other veterans while tabling for anti-war groups who have told me about having to take out a personal loan to cover bills while waiting for the GI Bill payments to start. This is unacceptable.
After doing some calling to the Congress. It seems that the media has misrepresented the “blue dogs” or they don’t tell the truth to the country whe people call their office. In calling my representative they were unsure where any money for the whole supplemental funding bill would come from, let along the small portion for the new GI Bill. This is primarily because rep. Baldwin will most likely be voting against the funding bill no matter what the Democrats attach to it. They suggested I call the “blue dogs” to see where their rational came from. So I called Rep. Ross from Arkansas since he is the chair of communications of the “blue dogs.” His office stated that the media screwed up their message. The person I spoke with said that they wanted the bill to be passed as a non-supplemental since it has such widespread support. They also expressed the desire not to start “new programs” with supplemental bills and claimed that the GI Bill was a new program. I was fed up with their responses by this point and couldn’t address the fact that the GI Bill has been around for decades, how can improving it be such a “new program?” Next I called the only Iraq veteran in a Congressional office. The person I spoke with said that he could not answer my question as to where the money comes from and didn’t see how they could deny one aspect of the supplemental funding bill but pay for creating new veterans from what I call magical pot of money. Next call was Rep. Boyd who is the chair of the “blue dogs.” Their office responded that it would cost $50 billion over the years 2008 to 2018 to pay for the new GI Bill but couldn’t tell me where the other money for the funding of two occupations was coming from. They referred me to another person to say where the $50 billion quote was coming from, it turns out the Sen. Webb and Mr. Akaka requested a monetary impact from S. 22 and the results can be seen from the Congressional Budgetary Office (pdf). What is discussed is the increase in military members from added education money along with the drop in retention from the money for schooling which would become available. The benefits seen to veterans accessing the bill would be a doubling of their benefits. Let me tell you with my debt growing it would be wonderful to have twice as much benefits especially when I have exhausted the GI Bill and have not yet gotten either of my B.S.‘s.
So at this point I was frustrated but also wondering how much money is spent schooling ROTC and Service Academy members and how this compares to the new GI Bill which is significantly watered down from the version which would compare to benefits ROTC members see while in school. However, I am out of time to spend researching the vast internets and Congressional offices for information.
i would put up better clips but they have all been taken down…
“This article “gives emphatic notice to the men and women in our armed forces that the American people do not intend to let them down.”
What a photo to head up GNN! Laying it oon a bit thin. don’t u think?
Veterans of Street Hooking Post 101, why not?”
Not to mention the fact that the “Marlboro Marine” has PTSD terribly and has had a very difficult time since returning from Iraq. He has already been let down, maybe it is a sign of things to come.
The Troubled Homecoming Of The Marlboro Marine
By Jenny Eliscu, Rolling Stone, Apr 03, 2008This is the face of the war in Iraq. The mind behind it will never be the same.
Blake Miller can’t stand cats. He didn’t always hate them, but that was before Iraq; before he fought in the battle of Fallujah; before the first enemy soldier Miller killed lay rotting in the street for three days, his remains picked over by a hungry cat that had crawled inside the dead Iraqi’s hollowed-out chest. Miller’s life divides like that, into then and now. Read More
Not to mention the fact that the “Marlboro Marine” has PTSD terribly and has had a very difficult time since returning from Iraq. He has already been let down, maybe it is a sign of things to come.
That was sorta my point
sorta our message has to be Do Not Join Death Machines, you stupid suckers.
are they criminals or heros who need your help?
make up your so called vacilating mind flake-o
they should learn that they will get nothing
they should learn that they will lose eveything
with not a tear shed as their wives are fucked by hippies
House of Representatives votes to make more combat veterans and give them an increase in GI Bill benefits
Nix that the Republicans voted ‘present’ and caused the war funding to be declined
Now make sure the Senate votes for the 21st Century GI Bill
with not a tear shed as their wives are fucked by hippies
Congrats. You share the same mentality as your supposed enemies. Get fucked.
My fiancee is enlisting to become a combat medic. She opposes the war. She has family members and friends that are serving. Some for misguided reasons, some for bad reasons, but I fully support her intentions. She is not going over there to support the “death machine”, but to help. To save lives. You can argue the logic of her decision, as I have. But in the end everything is shades of gray. Absolutist assholes like yourself are all the same (Yes, Fennec et all, I realize that in itself is an absolutist statement. Preempt!), sharing the exact same mentality, modality and lack of understanding. Only your rhetoric and position in the dickhead pyramid are different.
Not everyone in the military is an idiotic perpertrator of imperial violence. Just like not every “hippy” is an elitist, unbathing, pseudo-intellectual know-nothing, self-important scumfuck. }=-]
Wait… I forgot…
PEEEAAACE, MAAAAN!
And AGONIZING DEATH to who oppose it!
Peace sign with one hand, Nazi salute with the other!
“You can argue the logic of her decision, as I have. But in the end everything is shades of gray.”
No, everything is about self justification and rationalization. You cannot be against the war and decide to serve in the war. It is hypocrisy.
Or a really tough job market.
Now your Little Eichmann can go serve 8 months in that hell hole, come back and have the American tax payer blow millions of dollars on her health care and college education. Ya just gotta love America.
Sell out!
“Yes, Fennec et all, I realize that in itself is an absolutist statement. Preempt!”
heh, I actually agree with that hypocritically absolutist statement…
“You cannot be against the war and decide to serve in the war.”
sure you can.
Oh! I stand corrected then.
I countered your opinion with my opinion. Didn’t realize that was so offensive to people. From now on I will only respond to any opinions of yours which I come across on this site with comments smacking of fake agreement. Feigned confirmations will be my m.o. Hope that strikes your fancy. In fact I am quite dependent on your approval, otherwise I think I may have no recourse but for a quick suicide. I am thinking maybe a self inflicted gun wound, though I lack a gun. Does anyone know about Pennsylvania’s gun laws? I am quite new here, and the only thing I know about this state is that Ben Franklin lived here, and it is the home of the philly cheesteak. Although you can get a delicious philly cheesteak at pretty much any decent New Jersey pizza place. I also know which professional sports teams are from here, and from the presence of the Steelers, I would assume that at one time at least there was a booming steel industry. Actually come to think of it, this state once had a lot of booming blue collar industries from what I have gained through random osmosis thoughout my life. I do have access to other suicidal methods which wouldn’t require research and/or possible waiting periods, and that would probably require less cleanup. I mean, would the blood and brains scattered around my apartment signify a break of my lease? Not that it would matter after I am dead, I would just feel pretty bad about it as the company that owns my apartment has been very good to me so far. They gave me two free passes to Regal movie theatres. I mean, it was a bit presumptuous for them to assume that I have a significant other to bring, or maybe they just expected any loners to just attend two separate movies. Either way, it’s appreciated, far too much for me to blow my brains out all over the newly installed carpet and newly painted walls. Anyway, I apologize for my insolence. Forgive me?
Are you talking to me Fen?
I wasn’t offended. I suspect you know this, but used it as an excuse to give us the 4-11 on the new living arrangements.
Thanks for the 4-11 BTW, and best of luck. Oh, yeah and if I wanted to kill myself I’d enlist to become a medic in Iraq, how’s that for a good way to die and not have the locals give a fuck.
I love that Dr. House. Hilarious.
I would have thought you were a McDreamy kinda guy.
I’m actually watching House now, but only cuz I can’t reach the remote, repeat.
She is not going over there to support the “death machine”, but to help
[the death machine]
your fiancee, dang, nice honeymoon
i told my grandpa he was a shill for forces he never tried to comprehend for serving as a journo in WW2 europe, broke his fucking sweet old heart… but lies will not get you up the karmic ladder bud, and as someone here points out, tcs.
and i do not care for hippies, i just mean they are the ones left ‘at home’ to fuck the lonely wives… and when you find yourself fucking a hippy chick due to her availability and perhaps understanding that you do not leave your man to go serve a system across the world killing babies, releasing the rage that your woman would desert you to go serve a shytstem that will not let her out once she signs, and provides 40% per annum sexual assault on female personnel… you wonder if that is why she is going, so she can get gang banged? or i hear women over their supplement their income giving head for $50 a pop… better than the $5 they get in the US
Romance
do not take out your pathos on the hippy chick you pork though
i hope u have found my comments constructive and supportive
sad ass
Join!
No, everything is about self justification and rationalization. You cannot be against the war and decide to serve in the war. It is hypocrisy
She doesn’t see it as serving the WAR, or even the military. She has family and friends in the service, and feels that she is somehow going to be able to protect them. You dumb fuck. As I said, I’ve argued the logic of this with her, but emotion prevails over logic in this instance.
Eichmann? LAUGHABLE! I forget how ‘core you GNN rebels are. I’m sure you’re dismantling the machine as we speak! How dare
I, a mere pawn in the KNWO, question the hard truth of a suburban guerrilla?! Well put me in front of a firing squad, comrade!Hahaha, no in all seriousness… You’re a mindfuck. People who throw labels like that around don’t even have any understanding of Eichmann, who he was, why he did what he did, or even what he did. You use it as a blanket term for anyone who doesn’t agree with your ideology. It’s the intellectual equivalent of comparing people to Hitler. Lazy, dude. Bring it.
but lies will not get you up the karmic ladder bud
“Karma” is an invention of elitists to justify the suffering of their karmic “inferiors”. Just another systematical pyramid scheme.
Pathos? That’s obviously something you aren’t even capable of. Of course, I’d hazard a guess that you’re quite the little sociopath. Sick fuck.
i hope u have found my comments constructive and supportive
I hate to dash your hopes… But I found them entirely self-serving and not constructive in any sense at all. Darn. In fact, your rhetoric is comparable to the rantings of O’Reilly, Limbaugh, and all the rest. I’m dead certain it gets you off to dehumanize those you don’t relate to. To consign them all to “Eichmann” status as Garcia. I’m very sure it makes you feel more secure in the fantastical dictatorship going on in your head while the world around you burns. Is that why you are so illogically angry and pussing with hatred? Because you feel out of control? Because you see the world dying, and there’s FUCK ALL you can do about it so you seek refuge in your absolutist hatred? Your words ooze with tragic irony.
Once you stop being a puerile little shit, you’ll realize how truly sad the whole fucking situation is. I REALLY doubt you have the sack to deal with it.
Keep winning those hearts and minds.
HAHAHA
Like I didn’t know you’d go ape shit after you read my comment.
Sorry bud, but I couldn’t let your brain get away with the doublethink so innocently. I just had to throw in the little Eichmann bit in there to kick start your brain.
Letting yourself be deluded like that, thinking that people will believe your bullshit rationalization or sympathizes with you . I’m just helping out son.
Real world to Dragothnis come in Dragothnis!!! Can you freaking hear us?
Deep down inside you know what you chick’s doing is fucked up and retarded. But you love her, and she’s yer gurl. So instead you let the sheep part of your brain take a huge dump on the gorilla part of your brain.
Sucks to be you, I mean, your gonna marry a war profiteering Hitler with a Zoloft smile … (the rest of this sentenced is deleted so that D won’t try to hunt me down and murder my ass. It include the words stretched out vagina for those curious)
““Karma” is an invention of elitists to justify the suffering of their karmic “inferiors”. Just another systematical pyramid scheme.”
Maybe you should be making the pyramid scheme analogies to you fiancé. To relate the Buddha to the elite while doublethinking yourself out of the fact that your chick is now a brick in the imperialistic killing machine is a total fucking joke. And the joke is on you kiddo.
So you stuck a little ribbon sticker beside the BAM/heartogram one yet? Is it pink or black?
Like I didn’t know you’d go ape shit after you read my comment
If laughing at your pseudo-intellectual disingenuity is “ape shit”, then oo oo, ah ah.
Why would I waste time murderin’ you? You’re already deader than your namesake on the inside.
In the great words of Tupac, (RIP):
I ain’t mad atcha.
Your response evoked my sincerest sense of pity. I feel your pain, homie. I don’t feel your need to inflict it on others. I was near certain that you got off on this sorta shit. Way to remove any lingering doubt. BTW – Intardweb sadists are a fucking fad.
I had no idea that trying to empathize with and understand others was “doublethink”. Way to save me, bro!
FYI – The joke is on everyone. People like you are the punchline.
Hope everything turns out for you.
To relate the Buddha to the elite
someone’s gotta do some more reading
I saw little Buddha with Keanu Reeves, I’m familiar with the story, thanks toad. ;P