McCain's Miserable Record of Not Supporting America's Troops and Veterans

[babylonsister]

This is the best compilation of McCain's abysmal non-support of troops I've ever seen. It's downright bookmarkable in case anyone ever challenges you on his record.


McCain's Miserable Record of Not Supporting America's Troops and Veterans
by: Brandon Friedman
Wed Oct 01, 2008 at 11:13:26 AM EDT

On Friday, September September 26, 2008, John McCain said the following:

"I know the veterans, I know them well, and I know that they know that I'll take care of them, and I have been proud of their support and their recognition of my service to the veterans, and I love them, and I'll take care of them, and they know that I'll take care of them."

This statement--made near the end of Friday's debate--immediately infuriated veterans across America and overseas. In fact, Senator John McCain has a very clear, long, and illustrious history of not supporting troops and veterans one bit.

Now, I've seen legislative examples, I've watched the YouTubes, and I've lived this lack of support in more ways than one. But now, for the first time, I've tried to compile as much of this non-support as possible into a single document--from a variety of sources--complete with links, quotes, and video clips. It's something that readers often ask me about, so I hope this helps. I'm sure there's a lot missing, so feel free to add more in the comments. But for now, I think this should give us a good start in exposing John McCain's abysmal of record of supporting troops and veterans. Here we go:


Senator John McCain's Record on Troop and Veterans' Issues



Voting Against Veterans

# Veterans Groups Give McCain Failing Grades. In its most recent legislative ratings, the non-partisan Disabled American Veterans gave Sen. McCain a 20 percent rating for his voting record on veterans' issues. Similarly, the non-partisan Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America gave McCain a "D" grade for his poor voting record on veterans' issues, including McCain's votes against additional body armor for troops in combat and additional funding for PTSD and TBI screening and treatment.

# McCain Voted Against Increased Funding for Veterans' Health Care. Although McCain told voters at a campaign rally that improving veterans' health care was his top domestic priority, he voted against increasing funding for veterans' health care in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. (Greenville News, 12/12/2007; S.Amdt. 2745 to S.C.R. 95, Vote 40, 3/10/04; Senate S.C.R. 18, Vote 55, 3/16/05; S.Amdt. 3007 to S.C.R. 83, Vote 41, 3/14/06; H.R. 1591, Vote 126, 3/29/07)

# McCain Voted At Least 28 Times Against Veterans' Benefits, Including Healthcare. Since arriving in the U.S. Senate in 1987, McCain has voted at least 28 times against ensuring important benefits for America's veterans, including providing adequate healthcare. (2006 Senate Vote #7, 41, 63, 67, 98, 222; 2005 Senate Votes #55, 89, 90, 251, 343; 2004 Senate Votes #40, 48, 145; 2003 Senate Votes #74, 81, 83; 1999 Senate Vote #328; 1998 Senate Vote #175; 1997 Senate Vote #168; 1996 Senate Votes #115, 275; 1995 Senate Votes #76, 226, 466; 1994 Senate Vote #306; 1992 Senate Vote #194; 1991 Senate Vote #259)

# McCain Voted Against Providing Automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustments to Veterans. McCain voted against providing automatic annual cost-of-living adjustments for certain veterans' benefits. (S. 869, Vote 259, 11/20/91)

# McCain Voted to Underfund Department of Veterans Affairs. McCain voted for an appropriations bill that underfunded the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development by $8.9 billion. (H.R. 2099, Vote 470, 9/27/95)

# McCain Voted Against a $13 Billion Increase in Funding for Veterans Programs. McCain voted against an amendment to increase spending on veterans programs by $13 billion. (S.C.R. 57, Vote 115, 5/16/96)

more...

http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=1973

[JuniperLea]

1. Rec'd!!!

This needs to go viral! I'm emailing everyone I know!

[Ioo]

2. Watch my Video - I am a disabled vet!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCKNYHPUV9Q

[zulchzulu]

4. Cool!

Here's a one minute ad I did:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3H0HwjP5bw

[Ioo]

7. Very good!

[babylonsister]

5. I did, and it's good, as is zulchzulu's. I can't even imagine how a

disabled vet must feel about McCain, or any vet, especially given that list from VetVoice I just posted. He really is no friend, and then to shove the woe is him/POW story in everyone's face adds insult to injury.

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, Ioo. :patriot:

[ITsec]

3. K&R

[Connie_Corleone]

6. I hope Biden brings that up tonight.

[babylonsister]

8. If he's going after McCain, I imagine he will, especially with Beau's

deployment ceremony tomorrow. You know that must be weighing heavily on his mind.

[OhioChick]

9. K&R

:kick:

[Hissyspit]

10. K&R'd for everyone involved in this thread.

[Overseas]

11. Thank you for the comprehensive list and thanks to Joe Biden for bringing it up tonight.

He got in lots of key points on why McSame is wrong for America.

This list is a key aspect of that. Even the core soldier identity is shallow. He doesn't put his heart and his votes into his support for the troops.