Hey Chris H, Why won't Kerry use this to attack Bush?

[Room101]

Kerry a veteran needs to go on a sustained offensive mantra about Bush cutting Veteran benefits, combat pay, military schools ect. If we support the troops why can’t bush? The Army times was right when they called it “An act of betrayal” Its painfully obvious Bush does not “support the veterans” bla bla I’m sure the Kerry camp can and should use this as one of their aces.

Just like people rightly perceive Bush as terrible on the environment, we need to implant a similarly far-reaching and all piercing perception which is based on a mountain of facts that Bush does not support the troops in practice.


ARMY TIMES
An act of ‘betrayal
In the midst of war, key family benefits face cuts

Commissaries and the Defense Department’s stateside schools are in the crosshairs of Pentagon budget cutters, and military advocates, families and even base commanders are up in arms.

The two initiatives are the latest in a string of actions by the Bush administration to cut or hold down growth in pay and benefits, including basic pay, combat pay, health-care benefits and the death gratuity paid to survivors of troops who die on active duty.

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=0-ARMYPAPER-2335705.php

ARMY TIMES
Nothing but lip service

In recent months, President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress have missed no opportunity to heap richly deserved praise on the military. But talk is cheap — and getting cheaper by the day, judging from the nickel-and-dime treatment the troops are getting lately.

For example, the White House griped that various pay-and-benefits incentives added to the 2004 defense budget by Congress are wasteful and unnecessary — including a modest proposal to double the $6,000 gratuity paid to families of troops who die on active duty. This comes at a time when Americans continue to die in Iraq at a rate of about one a day.

Similarly, the administration announced that on Oct. 1 it wants to roll back recent modest increases in monthly imminent-danger pay (from $225 to $150) and family-separation allowance (from $250 to $100) for troops getting shot at in combat zones.
http://www.armytimes.com/archivepaper.php?f=0-ARMYPAPER-1954515.php

VETERANS FOR PEACE
Bush cuts veterans’ benefits

Every body claims to support the troops. Some do so by backing war. Others by not wanting to send young people to fight an illegal and immoral war. To the pro-war side, I ask, did you know that the Republican majority on the House Budget Committee in March rammed through a resolution that would cut $844 million from veterans’ medical care for next year? At the same time, they managed to come up with $900 million to give to Dick Cheney’s old company Halliburton and a few other big Republican sugar daddies who will quite conveniently be rebuilding Iraq after the war.

http://www.veteransforpeace.org/bush_cuts_vet_benefits_041503.htm

September Eleventh Families For Peaceful Tomorrows
Letter to President Bush on Valentine's Day 2004

Dear President Bush,
<snip>

Two years later, we ask you to stop exploiting the tragedy of September 11 for political gain and to join us in responding to that tragic day in a manner that brings about genuine healing and peace for Americans and the rest of the world.

We respectfully request a written response to the following questions: .......
http://www.peacefultomorrows.org/letters/valentine2004.htm

[emulatorloo]

1. He has been talking about this stuff

I'm not Chris H (Who I Hope stopped looking at DU a long time ago, given some of the weird stuff I've seen posted), but Kerry is talking about this and how Bush has not kept faith w those who served their country. . .I heard him talk about it at a VFW and it is in most if not all of his speeches. Seach JohnKerry.com and you will come up w a few.

[Room101]

2. What you said is right, but.................

He needs to issue statements or even call a press conference to make the media talk about this. He needs to do more to reach the so-called bewildered herd.

[papau]

3. True - Kerry speaks on it - but he needs a 30 second comment instead

of the 5 minute comments he is making now.

[Room101]

4. I agree he needs to develop piercing talking points ....

The bewildered herd does not have the capacity or will to consume long winded speeches or statements. Kerry needs to develop and deploy bit-sized talking points for mass consumption

[JI7]

5. he does talk about these things

just because you don't hear it from the media doesn't mean he doesn't do it.

[Room101]

6. I never said he didn't.

:think:

He can be doing a better job, please see post 2 and 4.