Veterans for Common Ground - Common Sense Ohio wrote:
Date: Wed, 10 Nov 2004 06:57:05 -0800 (PST)
From: Veterans for Common Ground - Common Sense Ohio
Subject: Fwd: DEMOCRATS: Veterans Day Message -- Leave No Veteran Behind
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CHARLESKRAUTHAMMER LETTERS

From: Democratic_Leader_Pelosi
To: VETERANS FOR COMMON GROUND-COMMON SENSE OHIO
Subject: Veterans Day Message -- Leave No Veteran Behind
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 2004 19:58:47 -0500

Veterans/Military Retirees Update
Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Nancy Pelosi of California is the Democratic Leader in the House of Representatives. As a result of her efforts on behalf of Veterans and Military Retirees, Pelosi was awarded with the American Legion's "Unsung Hero" Award in March 2004.

"No group of Americans has stood stronger and braver for our nation than those of you who have served in the Armed Forces. From the bitter cold winter at Valley Forge to the boiling hot Iraqi terrain, our Soldiers have courageously answered when called, gone where ordered, and defended our nation with honor. Your noble service reminds us of our mission as a nation - to build a future worthy of your courage and your sacrifice. This Veterans Day, we celebrate, honor and remember these courageous and faithful men and women.

As Americans, we make a simple yet sacred promise to you: "You have taken care of us, so we will take care of you." Politics and partisanship should never be a factor in how we support our Veterans. Our Soldiers fight for all Americans and when they return all Americans should support our Veterans. How is it then that our Veterans are facing waiting lists and long lines to receive health care? How is it then that we can not fully end the Disabled Veterans Tax for all Veterans and support our Troops with bonuses and decent housing?

Money wasn't an issue when these men and women were called to duty, and it shouldn't be when it comes to repay them for their service.

Democrats have been clear - we will work together, stand together with the Republicans but not when their policies shortchange Veterans and Military Retirees.

To honor our national promise to our Veterans, Democrats have introduced the comprehensive "Salute to Veterans and Armed Forces Act." This bill would improve services for our men and women in uniform today and provide long overdue benefits for the Veterans and Military Retirees who have already served.

We have had some successes, but not enough. Here are the successes we have made and the work, which remains:

Democrats fought to end the Widow's Tax, also known as the Survivor Benefits Penalty. Ending this tax is long past due. Spouses have endured much on the home front. Thanks to Democratic efforts, this tax is finally coming to an end.

Democrats want to invest in Veterans' health care. Each year Democrats offer budgets including billions more than Republican budgets for Veterans' health care, which Veterans' groups say is critically needed to maintain the care of our injured, sick and aging warriors. Right now, thousands of Veterans are waiting six months or longer for an appointment at VA hospitals. I believe it is time for Veterans' health care funding to become "MANDATORY" and end the yearly fighting for decent funding levels. We are also working to expand access to health care for the National Guard and Reserves.

Democrats oppose new increases in the cost of Veterans' health care. Every year, Republicans have proposed to increase the cost of health care for Veterans. Their budgets have raised health care costs for more than 1 million Veterans, increasing drug co-payments and imposing new enrollment fees that will cost Veterans over $2 billion over five years. This will result in driving about 200,000 Veterans out of the system, and discourage another 1 million Veterans from enrolling. We strongly oppose new fees and increases in prescription drug co-payments.

Democrats are working to end the Disabled Veterans' Tax. Republicans have blocked efforts to fully repeal the Disabled Veterans Tax for all Veterans, which forces Disabled Military Retirees to give up one dollar of their pension for every dollar of disability pay they receive. Instead, they have enacted a plan that takes ten years to phase in benefits and requires two-thirds of military retirees with service-connected disabilities to continue to pay the Disabled Veterans Tax. Democrats want to provide full payment of both retirement pay and disability compensation to all 500,000 disabled military retirees and want the change to take effect immediately.

Democrats honor our Military Families. Democrats want to give a $1,000 bonus for Soldiers returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, to make military pay increases permanent for those in imminent danger and away from their families, to continue targeted pay raises for enlisted personnel, and to extend the child tax credit to the hundreds of thousands of military families left out of the Republican tax cut because, as service members, they do not earn enough money. Democratic efforts to increase family separation and imminent danger pay for men and women in uniform deployed around the world have finally succeeded despite the opposition of some Republicans.

The political partisanship must end. Democrats stand ready to move forward with Republicans on providing all the support our Veterans and Military Retirees have earned. But, if they refuse, we will not abandon our fight for America's Veterans. On the battlefield, the military pledges to leave no soldier behind. As a nation, let it be our pledge that when they return home, we leave no Veteran behind.

On this Veterans Day, we resolve to remember and renew. We remember and honor the sacrifices of our forces and their families. And we renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to those who have worn this nation's uniform.

Our Veterans and their families ask for nothing more. Let us fight the good fight."

NANCY PELOSI

I endorse this position on behalf of all the Veterans, Troops, and Military Families of Ohio who either "did not vote" Republican or are not right-wing GOP Veterans symbolized by my avatar.

THIS IS MAKING THE ROUNDS OF THE SENIOR LEADERSHIP OF VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA HERE IN OHIO AND NO ONE IS SMILING

Senate Veterans' Affairs in the 109th Congress
By John M. Donnelly, CQ Staff

Idaho's Larry E. Craig is expected to run a more fiscally tight ship at the Veterans' Affairs Committee than Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter, who has been the top Republican on the panel for eight years. And, unlike Specter, Craig does not represent a state with a large population of Veterans and a long roster of Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Pennsylvania has several dozen VA health care and administrative centers; there are only five such sites in Idaho.

As a result, Craig will be free from the level of constituent pressure that other Senators feel to boost spending on Veterans' health care or build facilities back home. Craig also may be better able to say no to the entreaties of fellow Republican Senators on behalf of pet projects (PORK). Craig's clout over VA programs is boosted by his seat on the Appropriations subcommittee that helps dictate the department's annual discretionary spending level.

Craig already has expressed skepticism over several proposals championed by Veterans' groups to increase benefits, such as eliminating medical co-payments for some Veterans and making all medical spending for Veterans an entitlement program.

THUS IF WE CAN'T GET RID OF BUSH THIS MAKES IT EVEN MORE "ESSENTIAL" THAT WE GET RID OF AS MANY REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS IN 2006 AS POSSIBLE. THE MORE REPUBLICANS WE DITCH IN THE CONGRESS = THE BETTER OFF VETERANS AND THE TROOPS WHO BECOME VETERANS WILL BE AND HUM THE IMPOTENT BUSH BECOMES. NOW DON'T YOU LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT?

The panel's top Democrat, who will be either Hawaii's Daniel K. Akaka or Washington's Patty Murray, is likely to push for higher veterans' benefits than Craig would support.

Incoming Chairman: Larry E. Craig, Republican of Idaho

Replacing: Arlen Specter, R-Pa., who will chair Judiciary

Senate History: Elected 1990; won third term in 2002 with 65 percent

Hometown: Payette

Born: July 20, 1945, in Council, Idaho

Religion: Methodist

Family: Wife, Suzanne Craig; three children

Education: U. of Idaho, B.A. 1969 (political science); George Washington U., attended 1969-70 (U.S. foreign policy)

Military Service: Idaho National Guard, 1970-72 GO FIGURE! WHICH COLLEGE CAMPUS WAS HE PREPARED TO BUST HEADS AT? ANOTHER BUSH LET'S DODGE COMBAT IN VIETNAM JOIN THE GUARD HERO.

Career: Farmer; rancher

Political Highlights: Idaho Senate, 1975-81; U.S. House, 1981-91

Other Current Committees: Appropriations; Energy & Natural Resources; Judiciary; Special Aging (chairman)

Source: CQ Weekly
The definitive source for news about Congress.
© 2004 Congressional Quarterly Inc. All Rights Reserved

Respectfully,

Joseph A. Jennings III
Exec. Dir.
VVA "BUCKEYE" State Council

"For those that have fought for it, ' FREEDOM ' has a flavor the protected will never know"

Veterans/Military Retirees Update
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
Friday, December 17, 2004

By: Tom Udall, (D) New Mexico Representative, U. S. House of Representatives

WORKING TO IMPROVE VETERANS' HEALTH CARE AND THE WAY IT IS FUNDED

As this Congress draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity to thank New Mexico's veterans for giving me a chance to serve them in Congress. Whether seeking to obtain longoverdue military medals, or fighting to increase VA health care funding, it has been an honor to work with thousands of veterans. I am most grateful for the advice and friendship so many have offered throughout the years.

During the past six years, I've worked on many issues that directly impact the lives of veterans in our state and throughout the nation. One issue in particular has been especially important to me -- VA health care funding. Although some victories have been won, much work remains to adequately fund health care services for America's veterans. Through this column, I'd like to draw attention to an important piece of legislation that would go a long way toward addressing this problem.

As the only member of the New Mexico congressional delegation to serve on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, I worked with Ranking Member Lane Evans on the "Assured Funding for Veterans Health Care Act" (H.R. 2318). Our bill has 188 cosponsors in this Congress and the endorsement of an unprecedented partnership of 9 major veterans' organizations that have made veterans' health care funding reform a top legislative priority.

If we continue to push for passage next year, I'm hopeful that the bill's time will come. H.R. 2318 is quite simple -- yet the reforms it calls for could have tremendous benefits for veterans. This legislation would give a substantial boost to VA health care and then implement a process for ensuring automatic increases each year.

This legislation is necessary for many reasons. We all know that federal funding has frequently failed to keep pace with inflation in the health care field, and with the mounting costs for veterans' medical services caused by rising prices and increasing demand for care. This has created an intolerable situation in which veterans are too often denied timely access to quality health care.

Solving this problem will require concerted action. One way to bring about progress is to fundamentally change the way government funds the VA medical care system. H.R. 5250 would shift it from a discretionary to a mandatory funding program, thereby ensuring adequate funding.

Given that promises and commitments have been made to veterans over the years, it's important to safeguard VA health services from the annual appropriations process in Congress.

If veterans health care is treated more like a mandatory expenditure, the federal government would have to provide adequate funding for the VA to serve those veterans who meet the statutory requirements for care. Veterans, and their supporters in Congress, would not have to fight for funding through the appropriations process every year.

The changes called for in this legislation would protect veteran health services from the uncertainties and fluctuations associated with the budget process. They would provide greater stability and ensure larger increases in funding for VA health care. Ultimately, I believe these reforms would bring more resources to our veterans.

Throughout my time in the U.S. House of Representatives, I have made issues affecting veterans a top priority. Health care, in particular, has been a central concern of mine. I'm someone who believes promises should be kept, and that those who served our nation deserve respect. When Congress reconvenes in January, I will continue to be a vocal advocate for quality health services.

Tom Udall, D-N.M., has served on the House Committee on Veterans Affairs since 1999.

OF NOTE: REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN CONGRESS OPPOSED "MANDATORY" FUNDING OF THE VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM THUS MOST REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVES GIVE IT LIP SERVICE. THEY STILL CONTINUE TO OPPOSE MANDATORY FUNDING. NOTHING HAD CHANGED BECAUSE THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO OPPOSE MANDATORY FUNDING OF THE VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM

IT IS AN "ATTITUDE" THING.

CALL IT THE RUMSFELD ATTITUDE TOWARD THE TROOPS

WE ALL SAW IT A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE OF IT IN IRAQ RECENTLY.

REMEMBER THESE ARE FUTURE VETERANS.

NOW WHY DOES THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION "OPPOSE" MANDATORY FUNDING OF THE VETERANS ADMINISTRATION.

WELL NOW IT IS REALLY TIME FOR THE "SUPPORT THE TROOP" MAGNETIC STICKERS TO COME DOWN OFF YOUR AUTOS AND SUVs = COSTS.

THAT'S RIGHT = GEORGE BUSH PROMISED IN HIS LAST STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS TO MAKE "TAX CUTS" FOR THE MOST AFFLUENT PATRIOTS AMONG US PERMANENT. WELL MAKING THE VA HEALTH CARE SYSTEM MANDATORY WOULD PUT A CRIMP IN HIS TAX CUTS FOR THE RICH.

ARMYDAD - They say a picture speaks a thousand words and the one posted certainly does. It should be made into bumper stickers, flyers and displayed EVERYWHERE. tHANK YOU.

MTNMAGIC

mtnmagic,

I understand Rummy is on the tube as I type this making EXCUSES for the Vietnam style guerilla attack on our Mess Tent in Mosul. But no matter how many EXCUSES the Bush Administration comes up with. The NEO-CONS don't give a crap about THE TROOPS.

IF THEY DID GEORGE BUSH AND THE REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN CONGRESS WOULD GIVE UP ON THEIR PERMANENT "TAX CUT" PROPOSALS AND "SUPPORT THE TROOPS."

Our ‘Best Equipped’ Army? Baloney!

Mark Shields

In the three years immediately after Pearl Harbor, the United States, a nation of 132 million people with a gross domestic product of less than $100 billion, produced the following to win World War II: 296,429 aircraft. 102,351 tanks. 87,620 warships. 372,431 artillery pieces. 2,455,694 trucks.

Compare those heroic achievements with the current dismal supply record as the U.S. war in Iraq is fast approaching its third year and the United States, now a nation of nearly 300 million with defense spending in excess of half a trillion dollars: Only 5,910 of the 19,584 Humvees that U.S. troops in Iraq depend on are protected with factory-installed armor. More than 8,000 of the 9,128 medium and heavyweight trucks transporting soldiers and supplies in that war zone are without armor. Because of the incompetence or indifference of this nation’s civilian
leadership of the war, Americans in Iraq are living with an increased risk of death.

BTW mtnmagic DON'T YOU DARE BUY THAT BS THAT "IT'S ALL BILL CLINTON'S FAULT" THAT YOU ARE GOINT TO HEAR FROM THE NEO-CONS, AND I KNOW YOU ARE GONNA HEAR IT. THE MILITARY DRAWDOWN AND "PEACE" DIVIDEND BEGAN DURING THE FIRST BUSH ADMINISTRATION WHEN DICK CHENEY WAS SECRETARY OF DEFENSE AND WAS "EXPEDITED" BY THE CLINTON ADMIN TO PAY FOR DOMESTIC PROGRAMS. ARMYDAD.

All the official transcripts of White House signing ceremonies for every defense spending bill, all the presidential proclamations for Veterans Day and every prepared statement by the secretary of defense before a congressional committee include the same stock phrase. U.S. troops are invariably referred to as “the best trained, best equipped” ever. Best equipped? To call today’s American troops in Iraq the “best equipped” is more than an exaggeration; it is bilge, baloney and cruel.

I GO ONE STEP FURTHER = IT IS HYPOCRITICAL = HOW COULD 59 MILLION SO-CALLED PATRIOTIC AMERICANS BE SO IGNORANT, I MEAN GULLABLE OR ARE THEY ALSO "HYPOCRITICAL?" ARMYDAD.

An America coming out of the Great Depression somehow found the leadership and the will to build and deploy around the globe 2.5 million trucks in the same period of time that the incumbent U.S. government has failed to get 30,000 fully armored vehicles to Iraq.

The Bush administration has appropriated $34.3 billion on a theoretical missile defense system which proved again this week to be an expensive dud in its first test in two years, when the “kill vehicle” never got off the ground to intercept the target missile carrying a mock warhead-but has been able up to now, according to congressional budget authorities, to spend just $2 billion to armor the vehicles of Americans under fire.

Nobody has been more persistent in holding the Pentagon and the White House accountable than maverick Rep. Gene Taylor (D-Miss.), who serves on the House Armed Services Committee. “When I visit Iraq,” says Taylor, “I ride around in an armored vehicle, and I am sure the secretary [of defense] does as well. That should be the single standard: If it is good enough for the big shots, it is good enough for every American soldier.”

The armor is truly a matter of life and death, as the Mississippi congressman explains: “Half of all our casualties, half of all our deaths and half of all our wounded are the direct result of improvised explosive devices [IEDs, or homemade bombs].” But when Washington officials visit Iraq, their traveling security includes not only heavily armored vehicles but also radio-signal jammers, which can disable the IEDs.

What makes Taylor authentically angry is the inexcusable failure of the U.S. brass-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, he names-to provide radio jammers (which cost $10,000 each) to the fewer than 30,000 U.S. military vehicles in Iraq.

How many U.S. vehicles are now equipped with jammers? The Pentagon insists the figure is classified. According to Taylor, the number is “minuscule.” But because he is offended by visiting corporate chief executives and deputy assistant secretaries of weights and measures getting better protection than Marine lance corporals and Army privates, Taylor would not appreciate the fact that funds for the jammers have probably already been dedicated to underwriting the next failed missile defense test.

“A jammer costs about $10,000, and it probably costs about $10,000 to bury a dead GI. I believe Americans would rather spend the $10,000 to prevent the GI’s funeral being held.” Gene Taylor is right. Every American has a moral obligation to make certain that the nation’s troops truly are the world’s “best equipped.”

WE WANT THOSE 59 MILLION PATRIOTS WHO VOTED FOR GEORGE BUSH TO KNOW THAT JOHN KERRY PLANNED ON SHIFTING SPENDING AWAY FROM THAT MISSILE SYSTEM "TO OUR TROOPS." BTW THAT REMINDS US WHERE ARE THE SWIFTBOAT VETERANS FOR BUSH WHEN IT COMES TO SPEAKING OUT "FOR" THE WELFARE OF "OUR TROOPS" FIGHTING AND DYING IN IRAQ.

THEY ARE MASTERS AT SMEARING THE SERVICE OF COMBAT VETERANS LIKE JOHN MCCAIN, MAX CLELAND, AND JOHN KERRY, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO SPEAKING OUT ON BEHALF OF THE TROOPS NOW SERVING THEY ARE NOWHERE TO BE SEEN OR HEARD. TYPICAL GOP VETERANS LED BY THE NOSE BY CHICKENHAWKS. ALL FOLLOWERS BUT NO LEADERS AMONG THE BUNCH.