McCain opposes Webb's GI bill

[maddezmom]

Source: Daily Press

4:53 PM EDT, April 15, 2008

WASHINGTON

Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has suggested he would oppose a bipartisan measure by Virginia Sen. Jim Webb to expand college tuition benefits for military veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

McCain told reporters Monday he was working on alternative legislation aimed at ensuring that troops do not leave the military earlier than planned to go to college.

"We are working on proposals of our own," McCain said on his campaign plane, according to ABC News. "I'm a consistent supporter of educational benefits for the men and women of the military. I want to make sure that we have incentives for people to remain in the military, as well as for people to join the military."

McCain's new move comes as a blow to Webb, a freshman Democrat and former Navy secretary who had been quietly building bipartisan support for months. Webb's GI Bill, a centerpiece of his 2006 campaign, would pay the college tuition of many military veterans who have served since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. The amount of tuition paid would not exceed the cost of the most expensive state school in a veteran's home state, in most cases.

The current Montgomery GI Bill pays only a small fraction of the cost of college today.



Read more: http://www.dailypress.com/news/nationworld/dp-now-webbmccain.0415,0,5616790.story

[nebula]

1. The soldiers' greatest enemy is not al qaeda

the greatest enemy the US soldier has ever faced is the Republican party (and their Dem enablers). The party that has sent them to their deaths and refuse to provide support for them, and refuse to lift a finger to help them put their lives back together when they come home. If they come home.

[Ilsa]

2. "We need for you to get shot at more before you can go to college" is

the GOP message, not "Support the troops".

[Juche]

3. At least he supports the idea

I don't agree with his idea that people have to serve longer to deserve the benefits, but at least he agrees with the principle that veterans deserve help for college. That is a plus.

[ozymandius]

4. What would a foot look like after getting shot with a Howitzer?

We're about to find out.

[elocs]

5. I went to college on the GI Bill and I was never in the service.

I was able to do that because my father was a 100% disabled vet from WWII. I only had to borrow $600 in my last semester, but all the rest was paid. Today's soldiers at least deserve that and I don't care if they just serve their one tour of duty. We have untold billion$ for bombs and bullets, so we should at least have the money to take care of our soldiers. Somebody had an excellent sig here: "A nation that does not take care of its veterans has no business making new ones". Amen to that.

[Hulk]

6. mccain is a traitor. he's a "survivor", NOT a hero in any sense of the word.

mccain is rich white trash. He has no respect for the servicemen and women in our armed forces. He would rather oppose a bill giving them an edge back into the community, and instead contrive some bullshit to encourage them to stay in the service longer.

What a traitor and coward this man is. He has never been a hero in my opinion...only a survivor and opportunist.

[saigon68]

16. His prior service aside the man is a shill for war criminals

And now he wants to continue the economic servitude that forces many to remain in the service,

He is a Monster, who is out of control.

The perfect corporate and NEOCON tool and Stooge

[Historic NY]

7. Those who bear the burden of service once again shafted......

[Ian David]

8. Old Soldiers Never Die-- They Just Get Young Soldiers Killed.

Why do Repukes hate our troops?

[bluesmail]

9. Who didn't see that one coming?

Rhetorical question

[Acadia Blue]

10. this should make a good swift boat McCain ad

[SquireJons]

11. Clinton and Obama need to attack McCain on this

It's a golden opportunity. Hope they seize it.

[Solly Mack]

12. "that troops do not leave the military earlier than planned to go to college"

That doesn't even make sense.

Whose plan, exactly? Because McCain isn't talking about the plans of the troops.

"than planned"??? If they plan to sign up for a few years and then get out - and do - then that is "as planned"



McCain is really just saying he doesn't want them to have an alternative.

[fujiyama]

13. McCain likes to joke about how poorly he did in college

Well, gee Johnny did you ever think that there are some out there in the military that wouldn't suck in school? And would actually be productive outside of serving in the military?

Instead McCain wants them stuck in the service until their blown up in one of his hundred wars.

God, this guy is nuts - and stupid to boot.

[Zachstar]

14. I just want to say.

FUCK McCain!!

[Political Heretic]

15. He should be hammered and hammered and hammered for this. Too bad dems don't have their nominee

...and instead have their hallmark circular firing snatch-defeat-from-the-jaws of victory squad out in full force.