A new GI Bill needs his support, yet the war-hero candidate appears reluctant.
By Wesley K. Clark and Jon Soltz | Los Angeles Times | April 10, 2008
Sen. John McCain served his nation with honor in Vietnam, and he is right to be proud of his service. But by hedging on whether he will support a "GI Bill for the 21st Century," he is casting doubt on his own commitment to the newest generation of American heroes.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, sponsored by Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), will restore the promise of a cost-free education to those who serve in the military. The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. The GI Bill not only recognized our nation's moral duty for the enormous sacrifices of our World War II veterans, but it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country. Economists estimate that the original bill returned anywhere between $5 and $13 for every dollar we spent on it. But the original GI Bill has become woefully outdated, to the point where the average benefit doesn't even cover half the cost of an in-state student's education at a public college.
The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. Not only was this our nation’s moral duty for the unbelievable sacrifices of our World War II veterans, it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country. Why then is John McCain silent on passing a new GI Bill for our 'new greatest generation?"
Tell John McCain to do the right thing and co-sponsor the new GI Bill.
Robert Lopez served 8 years in our military, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan as a tank commander. He was told he'd get his whole education bill paid for when he got out of the service. Mr. Lopez has fought and sacrificed for our country but like so many others, Mr. Lopez has faced the bleak reality of a government that has turned its back on its veterans.
That is why Senators Jim Webb and Chuck Hagel proposed the new GI Bill, which would bring back WWII-style standards of providing vets with full tuition, room and board. And that is why 51 senators have signed on, including 9 Republicans like John Warner, giving this GI Bill tremendous bi-partisan support.
But it isn't enough. Faced with unprecedented filibusters, the only way to ensure Senate passage of the GI Bill is to get 60 co-sponsors. So far, John McCain has refused. The same McCain who insists he supports our troops. The same McCain who is voting lockstep with the Bush administration (who have also resisted this bill). We need to get John McCain to do the right thing -- to sign now and signal to other Republican leaders that we should be strongly behind our vets.
The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. Not only was this our nation's moral duty for the unbelievable sacrifices of our World War II veterans, it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country.
Why then is John McCain silent on passing a new GI Bill for our "new greatest generation?"
Robert Lopez thinks John McCain ought to stand in his shoes to know how difficult it is to be a vet and have to pay staggering education costs. THIS is your call to arms. Pass the video along and implore your friends to sign the petition.
WesPAC, VoteVets.org and Brave New Films feel passionately about giving our veterans the support they rightly deserve. Our government owes our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan the opportunity to receive full educational benefits. These patriots have fought hard for our government; it's time our government started fighting hard for them.
General Wesley Clark on the Lionel Show on Air America Radio
April 8, 2008
transcript by Reg NYC
Lionel: General Wesley Clark joins us right now. General Clark, at ease, Sir.
GENERAL WELSEY CLARK: Hey, great to be with you, Lionel. Thank you-
Lionel: General Clark, it is a pleasure again-
GENERAL WELSEY CLARK: (inaudible) Thanks, thanks for supporting our veterans and bringing up this point. This is, this is a critical point right now. Everybody's talking about how long the forces are going to stay and getting them home. That's all foreign policy. It's good, but I'm worried about the people in the military. And, and our young people when they come home and they get out, they need a chance to get reintegrated into American life. We know how to do it. It's to give them an opportunity to go to college, but the current GI Bill doesn't do the job. It's unbelievable.
Lionel: Why? What does it, what does it provide for?
The Texas Blue is a leading voice in Democratic politics in Texas, dedicated to advancing progressive ideas. Since launching on January 1, the Texas Blue has covered and commented on many aspects of statewide and national politics. In June, the Texas Blue published a multi-part series featuring stories from veterans about their experiences at war and at home, recognized medical experts on the impact of war, and family members of wounded combat veterans.
Lawmakers and veterans alike spoke about the issues facing veterans today on the Texas Blue's weekly podcast "Who's Blue," including House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Congressman Bob Filner; House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Congressman Chet Edwards and VoteVets.Org Co-Founder Jon Soltz.
This week, General Wesley Clark joins Josh Berthume on Who's Blue to discuss those issues, his political activism through WesPAC and VoteVets.org, and what he views as a dangerous foreign policy precedent being set by the Bush administration in regards to Iran and the Middle East.
Stephanie Miller: Speaking of MSNBC, if only someone, someone from MSNBC could call (laughs) that has formerly been trapped in right-wing world on Fox News like I have every now and again.
(phone rings)
Stephanie Miller: r: Someone like that. Chris, who is it.
Chris: General Wesley Clark.
(phone rings)
Stephanie Miller: What? No Way!
(trumpets)
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Hello?
Stephanie Miller: Good morning, General Clark. (laughs)
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: Good morning. How you doing?
Stephanie Miller: I'm, I am so happy to hear from you, and I'm so happy you're out of Fox News. I mean-
GENERAL WESLEY CLARK: I'm-
Stephanie Miller: You've been in enemy territory before, sir, but-
General Wesley K. Clark Endorses U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act
Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at 5:25 PM
Washington, D.C. – Retired General and Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander Wesley K. Clark today endorsed the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Health, and Iraq Accountability Act and issued the following statement:
“House Democrats have offered a responsible approach that protects our Armed Forces, the troops and their families, and encourages both the Iraqis and the Bush Administration to work more effectively to salvage some success in ending what has been a tragically mistaken and failing mission. This conflict must be resolved politically - military efforts alone are insufficient – and this legislation strongly promotes that political solution. This legislation is the product of the kind of responsible legislative leadership that the American people voted for in 2006, and I wholeheartedly support this bill.”
