Dean: Bush Balancing Budget on Backs of Wounded Veterans

[madfloridian]

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=61589

WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 /U.S. Newswire/ -- For the second time in a week, the Bush Administration will deliver a major address to the nation's largest veterans' group the day after the Associated Press revealed drastic cuts to veterans' benefits in the President's budget. Vice President Dick Cheney addressed the American Legion's annual convention today, one day after the Associated Press reported that "draconian" cuts in the Bush budget will mean that "at least tens of thousands of veterans" will face "delayed or even denied care" in coming years. (Associated Press, 2/27/06)

While veterans' health care costs are skyrocketing and increasing numbers of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are beginning to claim benefits, President Bush proposed cutting the Veterans Administration medical system by 3 percent in 2008 and leveling funding for the following four years. This follows the news last week that President Bush has proposed fee increases that would force 600,000 veterans off TRICARE, the Pentagon's health care system. (Associated Press, 2/22/06)

"The brave men and women who have served our country deserve better than the slight of hand budget games the Bush Administration is playing with veterans' benefits," said Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. "Vice President Cheney today failed to explain to America's veterans why the Bush Administration has consistently starved veterans' health care.

"Together, America can do better. Democrats are fighting to fully fund TRICARE and the resources required to improve combat- related trauma centers, expand VA medical and prosthetic research, and expedite the processing of benefits claims. The time has come for the Bush Administration and Republicans in Congress to join Democrats in fighting to provide America's veterans the benefits they earned defending our freedom."

[Mythsaje]

1. From all I can see,

he's not even trying to "balance" anything. He's just penalizing the soldiers for the benefit of his rich friends.

[Ezlivin]

2. Vote Republican to support weapons systems, Democrat to support vets

People think that Republicans are "strong on national security" only because they are willing to fling billions of taxpayer dollars at expensive and unproven weapons systems.

They are wrong. We fight wars with soldiers and sailors. Without them the weapons systems are nothing but useless gizmos.

[BOSSHOG]

3. As a retiree

I'd like to get a little consideration on TRICARE. Maybe I could move to Iraq. bush would either fund me or get me killed. We are fine and dandy financially but I can imagine other retirees getting a big ole kick in the pocketbook with the tricare increases; let alone the disabled vets getting fucked by today's new and improved compassionate conservatives. bush has blown 244 billion in iraq to date; while letting those who fought the war go to hell. How his "approval" ratings are as high as 34% is way beyond my level of reasoning.

[Solly Mack]

4. Really must piss Bush off that more troops don't die

and if veterans would just die a little faster...oh, the money America could save! (to use for tax cuts for the wealthy and defense contracts for cronies)

[rodeodance]

5. well, until they stop appaulding them--bush and cheney will continue

to speak to vets.

[TomInTib]

6. This just makes me want to scream. As a combat vet...

I know so many people that depend on VA care.

First, they closed down rural treatment centers and now this latest crap.

If I put my true thoughts here, the Secret Service would come haul me away.

Bastards.

[blm]

7. Well-stated DNC - keep pounding away with the truth about GOP and vets.

.

[w8liftinglady]

8. interesting note on Wikipedia re: American legion

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Legion

1990s
In a letter to U.S. President Bill Clinton in May of 1999, the American Legion urged the immediate withdrawal of American troops from Operation Allied Force in Yugoslavia. The National Executive Committee of The American Legion met and adopted a resolution unanimously that stated, in part, that they would only support military operations if “Guidelines be established for the mission, including a clear exit strategy and “That there be support of the mission by the U.S. Congress and the American people

..strange-no such letter sent to *

[madfloridian]

9. Cheney out defending their actions today.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/28/AR2006022801081.html

Cheney Tries to Calm Vets on Health Care

By PETE YOST
The Associated Press
Tuesday, February 28, 2006; 5:29 PM

WASHINGTON --" While veterans are worried about proposed cuts to their health care, Vice President Dick Cheney tried to reassure the American Legion on Tuesday that the Bush administration is committed to improving the system.

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean said the administration is playing sleight-of-hand budget games with veterans' benefits.

The White House says the long-term budget numbers don't represent actual administration policies. Similar cuts assumed in earlier budgets have been reversed."

Keep them busy defending.

[badgervan]

10. Take Action

I suggest that all vets, and others who care, find out how their representatives and senators have been voting on vet's issues - with bush/cheney, or against them. Since very few repubs have the gonads to stand up for vets where it counts: actions, not words - chances are good that your reps are voting to take aid away from veterans - in many different ways.
Take action. Write letters to editors, to American Legion, VFW, to reps and senators, etc. When we have vet groups like the Legion publicly supporting bush/cheney - while they continue to cut the benefits that were guaranteed us when signing up - something is seriously wrong, folks.
As long as they continue to get away with this financial sleight of hand ( lying ), bush/cheney/rove will continue to cut the legs out from under vets, as well as many other non-rich folks who truly need the help.
What a crew we have running OUR country. What a crew.