Mike Roepenack: McCain doesn't come through for veterans

Mike Roepenack  —  10/04/2008 7:31 am

Dear Editor:

What is the reason for Barack Obama's 80 percent overall rating from the Disabled Veterans of America in comparison to John McCain's 20 percent? And what is the reason for Obama having received nearly six times as much money from troops deployed overseas as McCain? And what is the reason that McCain received a D grade from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America? The reason is that troops and veterans agree that a McCain presidency would be wrong for this country, and they base it on his voting record.

McCain voted 27 times against veterans' health care needs!

McCain did not vote on the new GI Bill, which will provide better educational opportunities to veterans of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, paying full tuition at in-state schools and living expenses for those who have served at least three years since the 9/11 attacks. McCain said he opposes the bill because he thinks the generous benefits would "encourage more people to leave the military."

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.

Although his campaign Web site devotes a large section to veterans issues, including expanding benefits for reservists and members of the National Guard, McCain voted against increasing spending on the TRICARE program by $20.3 billion over 10 years to give members of the National Guard and Reserves and their families greater access to health care. The increase would be offset by a reduction in tax cuts for the wealthy.

John McCain said, "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."

McCain has misrepresented his own voting record with pro-veteran rhetoric!

Obama believes America has a sacred obligation to our veterans. He is committed to creating a 21st century Department of Veterans Affairs that provides the care and benefits our nation's veterans deserve, and he has a record of supporting initiatives to improve veterans' care and benefits.

Mike Roepenack

Lake Geneva

Mike Roepenack  —  10/04/2008 7:31 am