(military.com) Senator John Kerry Petitions For Disabled Veterans

[DJcairo]

Presidential candidate Senator John Kerry (D-Mass) is again strongly speaking out on behalf of disabled veterans and in repeal of the Disabled Veterans' Tax. To date, he is the first and only presidential candidate to publicly address this tax against disabled veterans. His first announcement was in August when he added it to his campaign platform, he spoke of it at the VFW Annual Convention in San Antonio on Aug. 25 and now he has initiated a national online petition on the Internet that he will personally present to Congress.

In San Antonio Sen. Kerry spoke about veterans, lessons learned, the Vietnam War and how veterans are being treated by the government when he said, "Another lesson we learned in Vietnam is that sometimes politics gets in the way of decisions that are best for the troops. We must never let that happen again." He then added, "We also come here to make clear that in this time of war, as at all times, we must do our part to care for those who have borne the burdens of battle. This is about keeping America’s promise. It is about national obligation. And it is about love of country and the help and honor we owe those who defend it."

When he spoke about the present hardships of veterans, he said, "This is morally wrong; it is a betrayal of our veterans and it must be reversed. And we can reverse it if we join together, from this Convention to the White House to the Senate and the House to insist that those who sacrificed for the nation should not themselves be sacrificed because of misplaced priorities.

"The issue here is simple and fundamental: It is about the character of our country. I believe it is wrong to put the needs of our troops and the claims of our veterans behind a massive tax giveaway for the wealthy that is unwarranted, unaffordable, and unfair," he said. He then spoke about meeting a disabled soldier in New Hampshire, Joey Dubois. "VA disability is taken directly from his military retirement pay. No other category of federal employee is subject to this kind of unfairness. It is plainly wrong and it is completely unacceptable that we have heard repeated threats to veto any bill that remedies this injustice and provides full Concurrent Receipt. There are plenty of places to cut back in government-but Joey Dubois and disabled vets are not one of them. It is time to undo this unfairness and guarantee our veterans Concurrent Receipt."

Those strong words of support from a presidential candidate is certainly good news for hundreds of thousands of disabled veterans. Perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel; if not this year, perhaps next year after elections. Imagine how happy these same vets would be if President Bush felt the same way.

http://www.military.com/NewContent?file=Youmans_100903

[leetrisck]

1. "Slimy Shrub" has given vets the shaft

and is still trying. They are organized against him - all the Democratic candidates should have this out there. I knew Kerry had this and it is great. The Repukes have gotten away with this crap for years - saying they are for the military and the vets - that's out in public, behind the scenes, they have fought us tooth and nail and yet come out smelling like a rose.

[fknobbit]

2. Kerry is the only candidate speaking out

About the injustice of stealing the Retired disabled Vet's retirement. The Democratic party have siezed the day and are making some milage on this issue. This could be bigger than leakgate because it is alleged that the Military retirment fund has been looted, By the DOD.


http://supportthevets.com/youmans12.htm

[blm]

3. WHAT???? I hadn't heard that.

I wish I could get into a Max Cleland speech to the veterans groups. Is he bringing up this point? Would the press even report this info?

[fknobbit]

4. It is being investigated

I think by Byrd et al..Veterans groups across the internet are raising hell. As we served they took 7% of our "anticipated" pay and put it into the Military retirement fund, and they are still doing it to todays active. Now they claim that they have no funds??? My god the interest alone on this fund is enough to stagger the imagination. Where has it gone. Smoke and mirrors and an old soft shoe has been the only answers so far. Mean while Rummy is running around and trying to stash money into other programs. It's like paying the monthly payment for one credit card with another and covering up how many cards exist. They can't pay the mangled Vet's retirement pay because they have looted the fund.

[JohnKleeb]

5. This is good

Thank you Senator Kerry. :kick: I am glad hes fighting for the vets.

[blm]

6. He used to do it with Paul Wellstone.

They were quite a pair of fighters on this issue. Kerry must miss him terribly, not to mention the veterans themselves. It looks like Max Cleland may have picked up some of Wellstone's fighting spirit.

Mmmmmm.......that's a comforting thought.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

7. I signed the petition. Here's where you can:

http://petition.johnkerry.com/concurrentreceipt/

[Feanorcurufinwe]

8. Graphic making the rounds on Veteran's sites

[blm]

12. Good one.

Max Cleland Revenge Tour 2004.

[tokenlib]

9. Must stop GOP move for tighter standards for disability benefits

Because of the political pressure on the repukes in congress over concurrent receipt--they are considering supporting it. The only problem is--in exchange they want to tighten standards to gain disability benefits--to make sure there are fewer recipients in the future.. In other words, those who serve today and in the future will not receive the treatment they deserve.

This is despicable. Kerry and any other candidates who support concurrent receipt--should also condemn what the republicans are doing on this. This is not a fair trade.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

10. Do you have a link to this so I can read up more on it?

[tokenlib]

11. No. Sorry ,I should have kept track..

There is so much crap I read about Bush and the GOP that I don't always keep track of where I read stuff. I wish I had though.

[revcarol]

13. The "only" candidate to speak out on Concurrent Receipt?? NOT

ON YOUR LIFE. Kucinich has spoken out about this many, many times.
I heard him myself in Santa Fe on July 2, and he made a big hit with our vets; there were even some old Navajo "Code talkers" there.

I guess we've even got to lie about our own candidates' good ideas.

[JohnKleeb]

14. Cool thats great

I know you dont like Kerry revcarol but lets hand it to Kucinich and Kerry alike, and the codetalkers cool thats just great. I really do however think this was posted in good intention though, still good for Kucinich doing this too, christ he stands for a lot of good explains why hes my candiate.

[MrPeepers]

15. It's fine to point out that Kucinich spoke on it too...

but there's no need to be so rude about it. Just point it out and move on. It's great that Kucinich has spoken out on this, but the tone of your message really detracts from that.

Peepers

[Feanorcurufinwe]

16. That was the author of the article, John F. Youmans, who said that

http://www.military.com/NewContent?file=Youmans_100903

military.com does have a forum where you can set the record straight:
http://forums.military.com/1/OpenTopic?a=frm&s=78919038&f=4261919476

It would be awfully hard for me to find fault with Kucinich's views or integrity. I just support a different liberal for the Presidency.

[fknobbit]

17. John Youmans

Is a staff writer for supporttheVets.com

http://www.military.com/NewContent?file=Youmans_Index

[fknobbit]

18. What else was he going to say to the code talkers?

When you speak to a tilted Veterans group you speak Veteran. The man took the fifth at the debate and deferred to Kerry and Sharpton. Missed one heck of an opportunity there.Kerry hammers it.