Worst week in Washington for American veterans

[white cloud]

BY ALEXANDER NOURAFSHAN | SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 6:30 AM

Following the release of Mitt Romney’s private fundraiser video, which exposed the embattled candidates’ condescending views on 47 percent of the country and his bizarrely laissez-fair Middle East policy perspective, who could have possibly had a worse week in Washington? The answer is just as surprising as it is shameful: American veterans.

Not only were veterans denigrated by the now infamous comments Mitt Romney made in the fundraiser video, as veterans are among the 47 percent of citizens who receive government benefits and assistance, but veterans also fell victim to partisan politics at both federal and state levels.

This week, the Senate voted on the Veterans Jobs Corp Act, which would have provided much-needed jobs training programs for veterans, who have an unemployment rate higher than the national average despite their superior skill sets. While the bill was expected to pass with wide-measures of bipartisan support, a Republican filibuster effectively killed the bill with a 58-40 vote.

Five Republican senators voted with the Senate Democrats, but the bill still fell two votes shorts of cloture needed to overcome the Republican filibuster. Notably, four Republican cosponsors of the bill — Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, John Boozman of Arkansas, Mike Johanns of Nebraska, and Richard Burr of North Carolina — all voted against their own bill, resulting in a failure of policy for Americans most deserving of government support.

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http://www.dailyiowan.com/2012/09/24/Opinions/29941.html

[elleng]

1. Truly sinful repugs.

[supportvets]

2. More people need to know about Pres Obama's support of our Veterans

Beautiful video most haven't seen:

This video was shown at the DNC but never aired on TV, it makes a great point: it’s so important that we remember and care for our Veterans, not just on Veterans Day. Among the promises kept by President Obama during his first term was bringing our troops home from Iraq, with honor. We took out Bin Laden, and anyone who minimizes that for political gain insults our troops. To see how this administration has honored and supported our troops, watch this video - Tom Hanks narrates a moving tribute to Veterans, on behalf of the Obama team; the second half is especially moving and a good reminder for us all that our pact with soldiers doesn’t end with their tour of duty.