my latest ltte re:Vets/texas senators-flame away

[w8liftinglady]

Supporting our troops
As we consider candidates for re-election,let’s review voting records for our senators regarding veteran concerns.
The Tax Rate Extension Amendment-presented 02/02/2006 -which would have provided $14 billion for the Veterans Benefits Administration for Compensation and Pensions for the years of 2006 through 2010,$6.9 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs for the Veterans Health Administration for Medical Care between the years 2006 through 2010,and $1 billion for the establishment of the Veterans Hospital Improvement Fund by closing some capital gains tax loopholes.It was voted down by a Republican-controlled Senate.Senators Cornyn and Hutchison both voted NO.

The Health Care for Veterans Amendment-presented 10/05/2005 to increase spending for the large influx of wounded veterans from Iraq,and the increasing number of veterans with no health insurance who have entered the VA system-rejected by the Republican-controlled Senate.Senator Hutchison voted NO,Cornyn abstained.

Additional Veteran Funding Amendment-presented 11/17/05 was rejected by the Republican-controlled Senate,and both Hutchison and Cornyn voted NO.

Is this the Republican idea of “supporting the troops”?Maybe a tax deduction for your faded yellow ribbon magnet is more along the lines of a Republican’s idea of thanks..The numbers of wounded soldiers entering the VA system is not going down any time soon.Is this how you reward a soldier,a marine,a sailor,an airman-someone who has bravely sacrificed for this and previous wars?Is your idea of supporting our troops generously providing a fresh cardboard box for our vets with PTSD?More and more,it is becoming apparent who DOES support the troops-the party who represents 55 of the 57 Veterans running for Congress.Which side does your morality lie on-tax breaks for oil companies,or providing for the heroes of our wars?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Bravo!!!!

Excellent letter! It is about time that people know that the Republican Party does NOT support the troops-and they show it with every vote they make.

[acmejack]

2. On behalf on all of us Veterans, let me be the first to say Thanks!

We always appreciate the great support from you, and indeed, everybody here at DU! Veterans Issues are something everybody here seems to support unanimously. I don't think I overstep when I thank you on behalf of all of us.

edit cause I don't do these things very well...

[w8liftinglady]

3. my dad and kid are both wounded vets.Screw these heartless cowards.

I will always fight for the veterans and their survivors.We owe you all our lives as free Americans

[Avalux]

4. Great letter! Where you gonna send it?

Please send a copy to the San Antonio Express News. I wish I could say what I'd like to do to Cornyn and Hutchison. Grrrrrr.

[w8liftinglady]

5. I'll see if they will take it-253 words my dad lives in San Antonio

[Avalux]

6. Cool. I'll be watching for it!

:hi:

[w8liftinglady]

7. ok..keep an eye out for it...done

[w8liftinglady]

8. shameless self -promotion,but there's a reason

...even if you live in a largely republican area,like I do,you can make a difference by exposing their hypocrisy.
I encourage you all to research your reps at this site
http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm
and expose them in your local papers for their hypocrisy.If enough of us speak out,it Will make a difference.It has in my neck of the woods.