vets harmed by GOP - short list wanted of GOP cuts to VA, active duty personnel etc

[billlll]

I recall a 14% cut one year to the VA ( in south carolina )

Also, sending soldiers to Iraq without needed vehicle armor

Seek better data...

Eg total VA beds, % cut since '80.

Eg layering private co's into gov programs, like Prudential ( in the news for mistreatment of vet widows... foul)

eg no program to prevent vets from falling into homelessness (I saw a pic of a homeless vet with half a leg amputated). BTW...the GOP invented modern-day homelessness (not around since the '30's) by a 77% cut to housing aid in the '80's.

[pinboy3niner]

1. GWB consistently underfunded veterans' programs

His budget funded them at a level substantially lower than the level needed to even keep up with inflation. The Republican Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Chris Smith of New Jersey, was punished for his outspoken opposition to Administration cuts to veterans.

In 2005, The GOP House leadership removed Smith as Chairman--and to find a replacement who would be compliant with the Bush Administration's wishes, Speaker Hastert skipped over three more-senior Republicans on the committee to name Steve Buyer the new Chairman. Buyer gave lip service to veterans, but went along with all of Bush's cuts.

More info on the sacking of Chris Smith:
http://thehill.com/homenews/news/11214-vets-fight-to-save-rep-chris-smith-from-hasterts-ax

Another excellent resource on VA issues:
http://www.vawatchdog.org/

[PavePusher]

2. Look, the vehicle armor accusations have been beaten into the ground.

The only "fault" was in not knowing the nature/extent of the threat to a vehicle that was never designed or intended to be in the center of firefights/explosions.

So, unless your your precognition is demonstratably better than everyone elses, you should let that one drop.