Sun editorial:

GIs have earned this

Congress tussling over a new educational benefit for post-9/11 veterans

Tue, May 20, 2008 (2:06 a.m.)

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Congress seems destined to approve, as it should, an expanded education benefit for veterans who enlisted after Sept. 11, 2001.

Veterans groups and other organizations have long pushed for an expanded GI Bill and early last year legislation to make it happen was introduced by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., a Marine veteran of Vietnam and a former secretary of the Navy.

Late last week the House passed its version of the bill on a 256-166 vote, with 32 Republicans joining the majority.

The House bill would impose a surcharge on the incomes of the wealthiest Americans. Money raised by the 0.47 percent surcharge would allow an eligible veteran — one who had honorably served on active duty for at least three years — to attend any in-state public university on full scholarship and to receive a monthly housing stipend.

Although this new education benefit passed, the overall legislation it was attached to — a new war-funding measure — was blocked by Democrats who oppose the Iraq war and by Republicans who object to items in the bill that weren’t related to the war, including money for rebuilding Louisiana’s levees.

This blockage was mostly symbolic, however, as the House will get another chance to act on the bill once the Senate votes on it, presumably this week.

We hope the Senate, whose leaders have expressed a preference to add the cost of a new GI Bill to the $600-billion-plus deficit being rung up by the Iraq war, will warm up to the House version.

The surcharge, which would apply to individuals with incomes of $500,000 or more a year and couples with incomes of $1 million or more, would at last require a little sacrifice from civilians after so much sacrifice by members of the military.

Although we like the House bill as it is, we expect some compromises, such as lowering the income threshold for the surcharge or requiring six years of active service instead of three.

But we would not expect Congress to simply drop the proposal for a new GI Bill. Our troops have earned it.

Discussion: 9 comments so far…

By JohnF

5/20/08 at 8:25 a.m.

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Our illustrious President has vowed to veto this bill. What a hypocritical jerk.

What say you, John McCain?
By Johnathan_Abbinett

5/20/08 at 12:09 p.m.

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Patriotism is regarded as the primary reason our young join the military - and it is! But the pragmatic motivation is that the military is a great place for a young person to start out. It guarantees them training, a steady pay-check, excellent medical care while serving AND a chance for higher education when they are honorably discarged with the opportunity to get a decent loan guarantee on their first starter home. It is important to note, that the vast majority do not get injured in training, or wounded in combat - and never even go into the V.A. healthcare system. Rather, opting to get their healthcare through their civilian occupations and employers.

Well, in truth, that used to be the case!

Citizens should know, that with each passing generation of veterans, more and more has been asked for them to sacrifice - and less, and less has been delivered in kind - and it's just is not fair or right by any definition!

During the draft years the basic obligation was 6 years of service - 2 years active and 4 in the Guard or Reserves. Volunteer's service was split 3 years on active duty and 3 years in the guard or reserve. So, anyone that only served 2 years on active duty honorably got the full range of benefits without any time limits.

During WWII and Korea, combat tours were for the duration of the war. But most only served about 18 months, with some serving 2 years, and very few serving longer in actual combat.

A single combat tour of 12 to 13 months was all that was required during the Vietnam years (though may voluntarily did more than one tour).

Then, the promise breakers came into power and put an arbitrary 10 year limit on the G.I. Bill Educational Benefits, and no longer required that Mortgage Companies had to honor the G.I. Bill Homeloan guarantee - it's all about the money and as much as everyone says they "support the troops" the reality is many do not. I suspect these are the same people who have never learned how to properly tip waitresses and waiters and service people in general (and are not above trying to skip out on paying the tab whenever they think they can get away with it) - they're our typical dead-beats in society - and congress!

Then, after the Selective Service system was inactivated (it's still on the legal books and could be re-activated relatively quickly by the way), the national military service contractural obligation got expanded to 8 years, split with a minimal obligation of 4 years active service and the remaining 4 in guard or reserve status.

And, now, we've got a whole new "Greatest Generation" that have served 2, 3, 4 and 5 years in combat - an unbelievably, extraordinary degree of sacrifice that no previous generation of American veterans have ever been asked to do - and their are those that want to debate and oppose keeping our promise to these veterans?

Our veterans today deserve everything that every generation of veterans before them ever received - and more, much more!
By HelenWeils

5/20/08 at 1:55 p.m.

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As usual, the DemoRats are calling for a humane sounding bill. But deep within the reading comes the latest from Nancy PeeLoser. She's managed to
tuck a provision into this that would eliminate
enforcement of our immigration laws by illegal aliens. Yes, that is correct, SHE IS SNEAKING IN
AN ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT AMNESTY BILL WITHIN IT!!!

With all the bellowing from the left who want to
cut off Nafta agreements to protect their jobs,
it seems odd to me that they would approve of allowing unfettered access to our country by the
group that is planning to take us over.
HELLO, DEMOCRATS, IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?
DO YOU APPROVE OF ALLOWING ALL OF THE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS INTO OUR COUNTRY TO OVERRUN OUR TAXPAYER PAID SERVICES, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, WELFARE, ETC. WHILE YOU FOOT THE BILL?????
Maybe there is a reason they are suddenly so military friendly?

By the way, neither Obama or Clintons FREE HEALTH CARE require illegal aliens to pay their own bills. Guess who's going to pay for it when they get their little plans through.
YOU ARE.
The Democrats have no plans to protect our borders, will give driver's licenses to all illegals and will allow them to continue to work
under the table without paying taxes.
IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?
It's what you're going to get!
By HelenWeils

5/20/08 at 2:02 p.m.

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Our veterans today deserve everything that every generation of veterans before them ever received - and more, much more!

HOW MUCH MORE? HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH, JOHNATHAN? WHAT DO YOU THINK WOULD BE A FAIR AMOUNT TO PAY IN SALARY AND BENEFITS FOR SOMEONE WHO CHOOSES A CAREER IN THE MILITARY? PLEASE SPELL IT OUT FOR US SO WE CAN SEE WHAT IT'S GOING TO COST ALL OF THE REST OF US IF YOU GET YOUR WAY.

Remember, it's the middle class who is going to pay for it, (I'm a member, I know). Please give us a bill for what it will cost each of us to let you have your way.
By thebs

5/20/08 at 2:22 p.m.

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Helen wrote:
"She's managed to tuck a provision into this that would eliminate enforcement of our immigration laws by illegal aliens."

I wasn't aware illegal aliens were tasked with enforcing our immigration laws. Why, that makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. However, I implore you to recommend this plan to Bush. I'm sure he'd love to outsource border enforcement to the illegal aliens.

As far as I can glean from her crazy ALL CAPS RANTING, we can't increase GI benefits because of illegal immigrants.

I think Helen needs to read the 2005 report by the Texas comptroller who revealed that the revenue produced on the backs of undocumented workers MORE than pays for the services they use in Texas. So, her "ZOMG! THEY'RE USING ALL OUR MONEY FOR EVIL HEALTH SERVICES HOW DARE THEY NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION YEARGH!" whining is just that: whining.
By Johnathan_Abbinett

5/20/08 at 3:21 p.m.

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"Helen" obviously you are in that small group who is totally unappreciative and don't believe in keeping your word or the promise that was made to OUR veterans!

So, one last time, I'm going to try and explain the deal America has made with it's military in simple words you can understand...

1.) Freedom is not free - in fact it is more than just very, very expensive - freedom is priceless!

2.) War is very, very expensive - that is a major reason why America, and the majority of the American people (including the vast majority of military members) only believe in going into JUST Wars as an absolute last resort! This is the best way to minimize the number of disabled veterans we have to care for later TOO!

NOTE: So, being the flag waiver that supported Bush & his bullies, but not being a person who is going to war yourself (or, sending YOUR children or grand-children) puts you in the wrong AGAIN! Of course, NOW you want to complain about YOUR 3 Trillion dollar mistake - TOUGH!

3.) An All Volunteer military is good for all of us - until some politicians abuse their power and prostitute the patriotism of our best and brightest in order to advance their personal political, business buddy and portfolio pals profit margins and agendas!

NOTE: The wealthy who have made enormous fortunes off the war are the one's that should have to pay the lion's share of all costs, to include G.I. Bill veterans benefits, and the cost of caring for our disabled vets (not, little, wittle, poor middle class people like youzie - so, quit your whining)!

Helen, do you ever read the crap you write? Probaly not because I'd bet you are an undiagonsed sociopath! You are an embarassement to society Helen - and I can assure you no one in their right mind went off to war for pathetic people like you! We do believe in something greater, far greater, that drives us to the decision to leave OUR families and go into harms way, and if absolutely necessary, sacriice our lives for something greater than ourselves (or complaining taxpayer like you) - we do it as a matter of duty. DUTY, to protect, uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States of America (not any politician or political party)! We do it out of a deep sense of duty to our families - so ALL families can be free!

Now, since Memorial Day Weekend falls in the month of May and were fast approaching this solemn holiday weekend when we honor the supreme sacrifice of our dead - would you please do me two simple favors?

1.) Exercise your right to remain silent (also protected by guys like me - for everyone - including you) and shut the hell up, especially about veterans issues since you obviously do not know a damn thig about what your complaining about...and

2.) do me a personal favor and stop trying to engage me directly on-line, you are not worth my what little time I have left in my foreshortened life!

I'll extend my appreciation for your respectful silence and thanks in advance!
By NVMakz

5/20/08 at 6:39 p.m.

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I like the soft, itchy place conservatives have under the crusty skin of the liberals around here.

Besides a "meals on wheels" force, the liberal cares nothing for the military, the soldier and the concept of defending a nation. JFK was the last DemocRAT who did!

Y'all melt down really quickly..........

lol..............
By JohnF

5/20/08 at 7:12 p.m.

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You're right, NVMakz. Democrats care nothing for the military or for defending our nation. Especially Democrats like John Murtha, Jim Webb, Max Cleland, John Kerry, Charles Rangel, Al Gore, Bob Kerrey (who won the Medal of Honor), Daniel Inouye (who also won the Medal of Honor), and Tom Harkin.

Certainly they don't care as much as Dick Cheney, Dennis Hastert, Tom Delay, Bill Frist, Mitch McConnell, Rick Santorum, Trent Lott, Karl Rove, Paul Wolfowitz, Jeb Bush, Richard Perle, Douglas Feith, and Newt Gingrich, none of whom ever served a day in the armed services. And don't forget our President who used his political connections to stay out of Viet Nam and then just stopped showing up for his Guard duty when it was no longer convenient.

What truly rankles is the way that conservatives talk a big game on the military, but when it comes time to put up or shut up - like with this new GI bill - they never put up. They had to be shamed into providing body armor and armored humvees for the men and women they ordered into harm's way. They do things like s**tcan General Shinseki when he says things that don't agree with their rosy scenarios.

These people are truly disgusting.
By Johnathan_Abbinett

5/20/08 at 10:03 p.m.

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Well said "JohnF" - very well said, thanks!

And "NVMakz" like Helen, doesn't know what the hell he's talking about - just another a**hole with an anus and opinion!

Being lying thieves trying to cheat our vets has nothing to do with being truly "conservatives" - there's a difference between being financially prudent - and just being a deadbeat cheat!

I am a Democrat AND a true conservative in the original context of the definition AND I'm a liberal on issues of privacy - so, grow the hell up and take a long look at a calendar will ya, it's 2008 - not 1950 anymore!

And your type doesn't have "a soft, itchy place" anywhere on the rest of us - it's more like your the crap we stepped in, and we're about to wipe our feet once and for all (after nearly 40 years of listening to GOP lies - you've finally run out of variations on your scam - and your welcome)!

As far as I'm concerned - it's time for the Republican GOP to go the way of the Nazi Party and Third Reich - into the disdain of history forever for betraying the U.S. Bill of Rights and Constitution and treason against the American people!