MCCAIN GETS FLAK ON THE NEW G.I. BILL...

[babylonsister]

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campaignmatters?bid=45&pid=307120

MCCAIN GETS FLAK ON THE NEW G.I. BILL...


It would seem like a no-brainer for any presidential candidate: a bill, introduced by two veterans, with the support of veterans associations around the country, that increases the opportunity for vets to go to college.

Both Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have co-sponsored a bill put forth last fall by Jim Webb of Virginia and Chuck Hagel, Republican from Nebraska, called the "Post-9/11 Veterans' Educational Act," that is a return to the spirit of the World War II GI Bill, with enough funding such that every returning veteran is guaranteed a quality education.

The bill, put forth as the first step in making "A 21st Century GI Bill," would give veterans who qualified tuition for a full four years of college, as well as a stipend for books and living expenses. Currently, veterans are covered by the Montgomery GI bill, which requires that troops pay $100 a month during their service, which then qualifies them for around $800 per month for college tuition. As Webb and Hagel pointed out in an op-ed last year, that barely covers courses and books at many community colleges, let alone a state school or private university.

So where's McCain on this, who has made "support the troops" his campaign mantra? When asked in March by a representative of Student Veterans of America why he wouldn't co-sponsor the bill, McCain wavered and mumbled, saying, "Uh, I haven't had the chance to examine the bill." Several weeks later, it seems he still hasn't had a chance to, and needless to say, many aren't happy.

"McCain needs to be on this bill," Webb told reporters recently. "I have said to him several times that this is not a political issue." And this week, Vote Vets and Brave New Films made a fascinating video featuring young vets talking about their own difficulties getting access to education and calling on McCain to sign on to the bill.

The most plausible explanation for McCain's reluctance is the White House's resistance to the bill, with the argument that such an effort would affect military retention rates. But from the so-called "maverick," and a veteran, one would expect better.


Posted by Cora Currier at 04/06/2008 @ 3:56pm | Email This Post

[China_cat]

1. I'm afraid that if this bill passes

what will happen is that GI's will keep being sent back to hot spots until they're either dead or too maimed to take advantage of it.

The very LAST thing the republicans want is a bunch of veterans who have been screwed by the government actually learning just how badly they've been fucked.

[babylonsister]

5. That's what's happening now (stop-loss) even w/o passage of this bill.

This would help some troops decide that there might be life after this godforsaken illegal occupation. Can't have that.

[Raven]

2. "would affect military retention rates"??????? So, let me get my mind around this.

The original purpose of the GI Bill was to help vets get back into the swim of things after they had sacrificed for their country. It was based on the assumption that many vets, after serving their country, would want to go back to their civilian lives and the Bill would even the playing field for them.

Now, I guess this Administration wants to be sure that these kids have no option but to stay in the service...sort of like indentured servitude, a military underclass. I wonder if McCain took advantage of the GI Bill when he returned from Nam. Maybe not, maybe he just married wealth.

[babylonsister]

3. I honestly believe that's why McCain hasn't signed this; can't have

these soldiers doing anything productive for themselves when their warm bodies are needed.

[Raven]

6. We really need a draft. If we had one we wouldn't need it. n/t

[babylonsister]

7. If we had one, we'd be out of this yesterday; I agree. nt

[Fabio]

11. I agree.

This "it affects retention" is offensive. And indicates a failed policy overstretching the military

[fascisthunter]

4. McCain was Against Torture Before He was For It

after he was tortured and cracked under pressure. You think he knew why torture was used and how it's never dependable in attaining "intelligence". I guess the idea of breaking another human being is too tempting in his whacked out mind.

This is how he supports our troops.

[Inuca]

8. It is really unbelievable

that McCain does not see how bad this looks politically, let alone the fact that it simply is the decent thing to do. Let him continue to ignore it, I hope Webb and Hagel will get enough support (Inhofe has signed on, for crying out loud!) so they can get it through without McCain's and his poodle's (read Graham) support, it will be a nice thing to throw in his face down the road. Graham was on one of the morning shows this morning, and was asked about this, mumbled something not particularly intelligible and changed the subject (after, I think, interjecting a "my friend").

[Selatius]

9. He's a fucking bastard. I hope an Iraq War veteran gets close enough to spit on him for this. nt

[goforit]

10. Bottom line , the WH is anti-education and they must keep the masses DUMB!

[autorank]

12. My favorite sister! K*R Wuz up John?

Wait until the MIA's swing into action. Nothing stops them. It's just starting
and it's not going to come from the Democrats like the that creep Swifty crew.