If you know a veteran who is on the fence and still not decided on who to vote for pass this on to them!
McCain's record on veterans' rights is abysmal
JOHN ADAMS
Tucson Citizen
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/columns/99572.php The rest of the country is finally learning what Arizonans have known for 26 years:
Sen. John McCain is a bully who does not have the sound judgment or stable temperament to be president of the United States. Most important, he can't be trusted.
At the Sept. 26 debate, McCain claimed, "The veterans know I'll take care of them."
Americans stand together in honoring John McCain as a veteran, but his negligent record in the U.S. Senate shows that McCain doesn't stand with veterans. In fact, his legislative record of taking care of veterans is abysmal.
The nonpartisan Disabled American Veterans gives McCain a 20 percent rating of his performance on veterans' issues in the Senate (Barack Obama earns a DAV score of 80 percent).
What can veterans expect from would-be President McCain? His Senate record inspires skepticism.
Barack Obama, on the other hand, has consistently and powerfully represented veterans - both as an Illinois legislator as well as U.S. senator. As evidenced by his legislative record, Obama keeps faith with our veterans.
Here are just a few of the candidates' votes on key veterans' issues, contrasting the two candidates' trustworthiness in this arena:
• Obama was one of 57 co-sponsors (along with Joe Biden) of the Webb GI Bill, signed into law June 30. McCain not only did not support the bill, claiming it was too generous, but also didn't even show up in the Senate to vote on it.
• Obama introduced a bill in April 2007 to provide housing for low-income veterans (Homes for Heroes Act). Again, McCain didn't show up for the vote. This version of the Homes for Heroes Act died, though a similar follow-up bill fortunately awaits a new vote in the Senate.
• In 2006, Obama voted for two amendments to increase funds for veterans' medical care by $1.5 billion and expand funding for Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient treatment by $450 million. McCain voted no on both; the veterans' medical care amendment died; the outpatient treatment amendment passed.
• In 2005, Obama voted for an amendment to increase funding for veterans' medical care by $2.8 billion in 2006 and set aside $10 million for veterans counseling services. Again, McCain voted no; this amendment died.
McCain's claims that he'll take care of veterans are contradicted by his Senate record. Now Cindy McCain criticizes Obama for voting against the 2007 Iraq War Funding Bill.
McCain didn't vote on the initial 2007 bill that stipulated a nonbinding time line to withdraw from in Iraq. Obama voted for it.
After the White House vetoed the bill because of the time line, McCain voted for the revised bill, and Obama voted against it precisely because it dropped the time line.
McCain's definition of victory is an occupation of Iraq that can be "managed" like our presence in Korea or Germany. He would prolong our stay in Iraq indefinitely.
Obama's definition of victory - and of supporting our troops -- is ending the war responsibly, bringing our troops and tax dollars home and allowing us to focus on the strategic target of al-Qaida.
Those who risk their lives to defend our country deserve Americans' support.
Obama's record shows he consistently supports veterans' issues. Most important, he has kept a bond of trust with veterans to honor their service.
And after all, isn't trust the most important criterion to consider in selecting our president?
John Adams retired as a brigadier general with the U.S. Army and is chairman of Arizona Veterans for Obama.
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