Senate Republicans Stiff Veterans
Last week Senate Republicans, as they have done a record amount of times in the last four years, used a legislative procedure to prevent a vote on a bill that had majority support. What was most disturbing about this filibuster was not the fact that it was a jobs bill, but that it was a jobs bill, fully funded and specifically designed for veterans. Senate bill 3457, the Veterans Jobs Corp Act, would have created jobs for over 700,000 unemployed veterans, including the more than 225,000 post 9/11 vets. Only five Republican Senators joined all Democrats in voting to stop the filibuster. War hero, John McCain, was not among them.
If the Republicans were bothered by the fact that the unemployment rate of veterans is over 11 percent, higher than the national average, and that the suicide rate among the military is at record heights it was not reflected in their votes or in their comments on the bill. Nor did they seem to be conscious of the economic sacrifices endured by so many who volunteered to serve their country.
One has to question the moral compass of a political party that consists of members who never miss an opportunity to wrap the flag around their shoulders, who get misty eyed when talking about the sacrifices of the military, but cannot find the will to spend $200 million to help those they eagerly sent into harms way in two unfunded wars. This from a party that has no problem in finding billions in subsidies for the most profitable corporations in the world, many which pay no taxes.
The Republican vote on the Veterans Jobs Corp Act belies that party’s proclaimed support for anything military; it exposes the Republican Party’s core belief that there is no role for government in the lives of those less fortunate, who for whatever reason, need the support of their government.
Mitt Romney, in the now infamous 47 percent video, inadvertently gave us a peek into his heart, and his view of those he thinks have not taken enough personal responsibility for their lives. His distain for and dismissal of anyone who thinks they are entitled to healthcare, food, homes, jobs, whatever was obvious. In a few, stark minutes, Romney gave us his vision of America; two days later Republican Senators manifested that dark vision into reality with their vote that killed the Veterans Jobs Corp Act.
Ron Kurowski
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Iris
11:34 pm on Wednesday, September 26, 2012
A despicable, twisted lie only a moron would believe and only a bunch of ultra left wing liberal scumbag socialists would spread. Not one of you believes enough in this country, her ideals of exceptional ism or her dedication to lead from the front to voluntarily put on this nations uniform and put your life on the line in our armed forces. I would bother to go line by line and point out the half truths, the intentionally misleading inferences and the flat out lies, but Republicans are smart enough not to need and and you left wing liberal whackos aren't smart enough to understand it even if it is spelled out or you. The only thing you are better at than the Republicans is dumbing down the issues so your party supporters can understand them. The fact they are lies and half truths don't matter because you have no honor. If the Dems win it will only be because your supporters are more numerous...the lower classes have always bred in higher numbers.
Grandpamike
9:04 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
@Iris
Everything you said are descriptions of the Republican party not the other side. Can you be so delusional, yes, you can. I would suggest that you completely stop watching Fox, because by virtue of you rant, they are all Fox and TP talking points.
Walt Wingo
10:27 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Iris, a few clicks on Google would show you that their are no lies or half truths in the post. Bottom line - Senate Republicans voted against helping vets get jobs, period. If there is an acceptable reason for their voting against helping veterans finding jobs, please give us that reason instead of a really bad rant.
Facts still matter.
Walt Hines
9:53 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
" the lower classes have always bred in numbers" and you wonder why the republican party is losing past support from their own party. The truth comes out just as it did with the 47% remark from Romney.
The millions of dollars that the Romney's have and the Mrs. still dresses like a cheap corner hooker. What an inappropriate outfit she had on when she appeared on Jay Leno. I guess money doesn't afford one good respectable taste.
oswegoannie
5:08 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012
Iris - you are a fool. Stop showing your ignorance publically; you are embarrassing yourself. The Republicans killed Bill 3457. A fact. How is it a lie?
gini lester
8:34 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
In other words, you've got nothing.
Martin
12:42 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Everything to be said can be solely related to the website this guy represents, MoveOn.org. Support or attack this gentleman's OPINION will reflect how one thinks of that website.
John Tips
1:48 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Trickle down economics never worked, neither did closing once mind to the opinions of others! As my grandfather once said - "the proof is in the pudding"! We all know that we have a serious financial problems. These fiscal problems did not just happen under this presidents term either, it has been out of control for some time.
Someone once said - "if you cannot afford an Army, don't have one" This quote should be heeded by those of you who have no experience in the Military and those who sit behind a desk having no idea of the sacrifices our military families endure! Don't all of you realize that "WAR is Hell" and our people are maimed, and killed in its performance! Veterans DESERVE the very best that we have to offer, and that should include assisting them in finding them jobs, retraining, and medical benefits!
Those of you who wish to cut or eliminate the benefits these hero's have earned by their blood, sweat, and suffering - don't have the right to claim yourself to be an AMERICAN!
Tom Klimczak
11:40 pm on Wednesday, October 3, 2012
Trickle down government never worked, or else people would still be clamoring to breach the borders into the USSR.
Veterans deserve the very best, a REAL job, not a government handout.
Private employers, please consider veterans when hiring. Yes, give them preferential treatment. They earned it.
Lisa S.
2:07 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
The Republicans brought forth a Budget point of order. This bill violated the limits set by the Congress last year. 'Waiving' the limits is what got voted down. Additionally, there are a number of other Veteran focused programs (quoted at 6) in place currently.
I am all for prgrams helping vets get back to work. i have great respect for who they are and what they do. Maybe they should roll what they want with this program into what they already have. If what they have doesn't work...get rid of it and do better. However, how can this administration keep spending money we simply don;t have. My family lives on a budget, our country should too.
Denise Williams
10:18 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
Lisa, thank you for clarifying rather than demonizing.
FYI - today it was announced 42 Medal of Honor Recipients endorsed Mitt Romney. If the above pseudo-blog were accurate or factual, I doubt this would have happened.
Olddeegee
11:40 am on Friday, September 28, 2012
Doesn't matter. Romney will lose badly and possibly actions such as these taken by Congressional Republicans will affect the Senate and House races. Failure to support veterans over a small budgetary item is what will destroy the GOP, and they seem to be oblivious to it.
Walt Wingo
12:36 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
Denise, you really have to stop listening to Fox. Your obvious hatred of anything written on the MoveOn blog is warping your ability to think clearly. Since you claim in your blogs how much you love the veterans and how they should be the first in line to receive our support, you of all people should be incensed at what the Senate Republicans did to the veterans. Shame on you for taking the side of the Republicans on this vote.
Here are the facts: Republicans Senators voted against spending $200 million that would create jobs for veterans! The bill was fully funded! John McCain voted against the bill! Tens of thousand of veterans are included in Romney’s 47% who he disdains so much.
Yes the bill violated budgetary spending guidelines by $200 million. Tell that to the house GOP who just past a budget resolution that violated the guidelines by $30 billion.
Denise Williams
12:43 pm on Friday, September 28, 2012
Olddeegee - You are missing the point, Republicans did not fail to support veterans. They voted down a bill that violated limits passed by Congress. Regardless of what you hear in the media, veterans rights groups overwhelmingly support Romney, based in part on the Ryan budget not being as drastic an attack and cut on their issues as the Democratic option and in part on their opinion of Obama's positions and policies. This wouldn't be the case if the original pseudo-blog was accurate or factual. Their support is not a matter of opinion, it is a fact. Look into their reasons and argue it from that point if you want, but the inference that Romnay does not support vet issues or the military is simply not true, in their opinion, and that is the one that really counts here. As a matter of fact, they laugh at the idea that the Dems are calling themselves pro-military and shake the heads at the gullibility of thoe who believe these lies, distortions and half truths reported in the media. If you want to know what they think, ask them, don't just believe because someone says it is so it is so. I could write a piece saying I supported illegal immigrants issues, but my previous words would show that to be a lie, as would those groups who support their issues as would the illegal immigrants themselves. THere is a lesson here for all of us...check with the group who spends all their time and efforts on an issue before you believe what an outsider says that group believes.
South Suburban MoveOn Council
10:32 am on Monday, October 1, 2012
Denise, it you not Olddeegee that is missing the point. You either have a very bad problem in comprehending what you read or you are intentionally distorting the point of the blog, which is that the Republican’s assertion that they care more for veterans and military personal more than the Democrats is not supported by facts. The Senate republicans stiffing veterans on the jobs bill is only the most recent but not the only time Republicans have turned their backs on the needs of veterans and the military. No were does the blog claim that vets support Dems over Reps!
Here is the voting record on veteran’s bills for the 111th Congress compiled by Iraq an Afghanistan Veterans of America:
http://iavaaction.org/report-card/a_team_d_list
The ‘A’ lists contain the names of Congressmen and Senators who consistently voted in support of veterans, and they’re all Democrats. The ‘D’ list contains the names of legislators who consistently voted against veteran’s bills and they are all Republicans. Detect a pattern?
Here is a link which will show you how your Congressman/Senator voted on veteran’s bills in the 111th Congress and the bills and why their grade:
http://iavaaction.org/report-card?name=McCain+
And here is a conservative’s view on the Senate Republican’s vote on the jobs bill.
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/ad-lib/2012/sep/23/republicans-turn-their-backs-veterans-vote-down-jo/
Ron Kurowski
mecando
8:47 am on Sunday, September 30, 2012
I would just like to say, THANK YOU REPUBLICONS/FOX SPEWS,NITT WITT MITT,LY'N RYAN AND RUSH LIMPBALLS. YOU HAVE JUST AWARDED THE TRUE AMERICANS THE WHITE HOUSE FOR AT LEAST 4 MORE YEARS.....THANK YA....THANK YA......THANK YA........