Sioux City Journal

No leadership from McCain on G.I. Bill vote

Posted: Thursday, July 10, 2008

DES MOINES -- With a personal history like his, I am shocked by Sen. John McCain's continued neglect of our returning veterans. While campaigning, he avoided voting on the vital G.I. Bill, which was part of the Senate's supplemental spending bill. This bipartisan legislation provides educational benefits for veterans to meet the growing costs of higher education and, of particular importance in Iowa, includes activated National Guard and reservists.

Like President Bush, McCain has criticized the bill. In this time of economic crisis, veterans need this 21st century G.I. Bill to modernize outdated benefits. It is a cost of war that has proven high returns; for every dollar invested on the original G.I. Bill, higher educated and more productive veterans pumped seven dollars back into the economy.

While McCain cites fiscal concerns, he repeatedly authorizes funding for the Iraq war. One week of war funding would pay for a whole year of this program. Iowa voters expected leadership from Sen. McCain on this issue. Thankfully, other senators found time in their schedule to support veterans. -- James Mowrer, Iowa director and senior advisor, VoteVets.org

Story Comments

Diogenes wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:34 PM:

" The GI Bill is a terrible joke.

Earning money for school might sound like a good idea. But why bet your child's life against a maniac who has already admitted that someone other than him is going to have to end the war?

Why would any parent in his or her right mind ever encourage their child to enlist in the first place? "

Read the Fine Print wrote on Jul 15, 2008 9:07 PM:

" The new GI bill is actually a reduction in benefits. Read the fine print and understand how Chap 30 MGIB works before supporting this new bill. "

VegasRage wrote on Jul 14, 2008 10:30 PM:

" It's an obvious plug for Obama but you are right, McCain lost his marbles on this one. I'm still waiting to hear one, just one politician explain how we are paying for the two wars. Anyone got an explanation other than Elf'n magic? "

Douglas wrote on Jul 12, 2008 6:50 AM:

" "ALLLL YOUUU NEEED IS LOVE, DA, DA, DA, DA, DA".........................OBAMA will support our veterans, YEP, he sure will ! CHANGE, change, change, change................................I'm not surprised AT ALL that this letter writer is from Des Moines...or should I say Madison, WI, or Berkley, CA.............doesn't matter, they're all the same, leftie hogwash. "

tammie wrote on Jul 11, 2008 12:29 PM:

" Because Mcsame is such a old man he doesnt realize that the web allows us all to see his bad voting record and all the mistakes he made will in congress. "