Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill

Welcome, General Clark - Todd

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 a 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 cosponsors. 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. We need him 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.

That's why, today, we're launching this new web video with an accompanying petition, urging Senator McCain to step up and be a leader for veterans, by signing onto the GI Bill.

The burden of ensuring that our veterans get the education they were promised and earned largely sits on his shoulders. If he won't stand up for the troops, he must explain why.

Vote Vets, WesPAC 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.

Sign the petition to McCain here.

- Wes Clark, Jon Soltz and Robert Greenwald

Update [2008-4-3 18:25:19 by Todd Beeton]:Watch the video below:



Display:


Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 3)

Thanks General Clark.  We need to hot Mccain hard on this and other isuses, including the Iraq war.


by TomP on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:06:42 PM EST

I think that this would be a huge improvement (2.00 / 3)

This is a tremendous idea. Really, anything that increases access to higher education is good, because now SO many worthy people can't afford to go to college. As the housing market crashes, a lot of dreams of going to college are going up in smoke.

But so many jobs require a college degree to even get your foot in the door. Really, helping vets go to college is the least we can do for our veterans. We also DRAMATICALLY need to improve their access to health care. People who have serious, war-related illnesses are often NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE POLICIES.. (under 'war' exclusion clauses..) At least that is what I heard several years ago.. (it was about survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the US, but...)

We need universal healthcare for everybody, like almost all other developed nations have.


Obama Now Ahead by 86,705 Popular Votes, or 0.25% of Total! (incl. FL and MI)
Crowned King By MSM Because of Hillary's Real Universal Healthcare Program?
by architek on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 05:21:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

thanks to the next Vice Prez of the USA! (none / 0)

thanks for the link!

Obama-Clark 2008!


the time to rise has been engaged.
by catchaz on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:16:04 PM EST

why Obama (2.00 / 2)

Hillary's been front and center on expanding vet benefits, and Genral Clark thinks she'd make the better president.  It's nice to back your first choice and all, but this has been one of HIllary's many passions, and she's got the talent behind her to make our dreams come true.   Hillary's experience shows, she's first to respond to crises and problems in real time.  Mean's she isn't just running for office, she's working for us right now.  How about getting Obama to back her plans, stand behind her on those issues we all agree are the priorities of the future.


by anna shane on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 05:48:38 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 3)

So much national prosperity arose out of the first GI Bill, I can't imagine what he imagines the downsides to this to be. Let's take care of our veterans and young families and help boost another generation farther up the ladder.


by Little Otter on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:18:00 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 3)

This is a very well done & extremely heart wrenching piece (because, obviously of how heartbreaking the reality is).

Happy to see VoteVets working with Brave New Films too.

Many thanks, Wes, for always always trying to move mountains no matter what.

"I'm in tears as I sign this- tears of frustration at watching this all unfold. I feel our troops are being used almost as human shields to defend corporate interests. John McCain, you're a veteran- you oughta know better!"


by bluemoon on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:22:58 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 3)

Thanks for the link, and thanks for the article, General Clark.

signed


by Mostly on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:31:14 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 2)

Thank you General Clark for once again reaching out to the netroots to get us involved on this important issue.

And Thank you MyDD! for providing a platform for our General to be heard!


by jen on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:32:16 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 3)

Thank you general for stepping up.....as always.

Clinton/Clark 2008


by pelican on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:34:17 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 2)

I will definitely go sign the petition. Unbelievable that McCain won't support his. It'll be interesting to see if the great orange satan will give you a soapbox.
by Dave B on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:39:43 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 1)

Currently on the Daily Kos Recommended List.
(7:08pm EST)
by Kysen on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 07:09:08 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 2)

Anyway we can...
expose Republican Candidate for POTUS
Sen. John McCain....every way...everyday...
We can and will re-frame
"Maverick"
"Straight Shooter"
Remember,; a panderer is not an endangered species from China...
"If you want to end war and stuff, you gotta sing loud"...Arlo Guthrie
by nogo war on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 04:53:50 PM EST

Thank you (2.00 / 2)

for coming here to give all of us a big PUSH!

I have been a supporter of yours for a long time and I highly respect your opinions and decisions.

Thank you again!


Washington Woman

EENR Blog
by kevin22262 on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 05:20:58 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 1)

I saw the movie Stop Loss over the weekend and I came away horrified. What is Senator Clinton's position on the present stop-loss policy? And what is  Senator Obama's? I am sure military families are looking at this issue closely. As I understand it. Approxiamately half of all troops in Iraa and Afghanistan are stop loss--that is they are serving past the time they signed up to serve. This is Outrageous.  


by linfar on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 05:36:40 PM EST

Hey (none / 0)

nice to see you back!   :)


Washington Woman

EENR Blog
by kevin22262 on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 05:39:03 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Hey Todd and Jerome (2.00 / 1)

is there any way that when you bump a diary to the front page, that we could also rec'd it?

They do this at EENR and it helps give worthy diaries that have been bumped to the front page, a chance to stay alive even longer by getting on the rec'd list.


Washington Woman

EENR Blog
by kevin22262 on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 05:38:18 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 3)

I am a Vietnam era veteran who paid for most of my undergrad work and some graduate school with GI Bill benefits. It changed my life and the lives of thousands of other veterans in my era.

I still can't believe that our country no longer offers at least that level of educational benefits to the current generation of service men and women. It is an insult to them. We owe them so much more, but educational benefits clearly pay for themselves in the long run.

This deserves everyone's support.


by anoregonreader on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 06:00:56 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (2.00 / 3)

I signed and sent it on to others. Thanks to Gen. Clark, WesPac and VoteVets, as well as to Robert Greenwald for putting the video and the petition together.

Shame on McCain!


by Tennessean on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 06:14:31 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (none / 0)

ya know Wash W...
I am sure you have been part of the MyDD  for a long
time.....even if you are not...that is fine...
as a fact...

When individuals join our military, are they informed...if you receive a medical discharge prior to their "obligation"....no matter the circumstances...OUR govt finds them in default.

to all who post here...in the comfort of your own home..in your wildest dreams...do you imagine placing yourself on the line for a misdemeanor offense...to stand against Bush's WAR?
If you are not willing to make a small effort..
please recognize the sacrifice of the persons....family... friends of these folks who died because you were too busy to show up or vote to end this madness...
http://icasualties.org/oif/

Expose McCain...every day...every way...
tap your toes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKtrz_fvm oc


"If you want to end war and stuff, you gotta sing loud"...Arlo Guthrie
by nogo war on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 06:28:56 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (none / 0)

http://www.ivaw.org/

or
http://www.veteransforpeace.org/

all you folks should try to understand..
At what point in time are you willing?
If you do not truly believe that your visible presence makes no difference...fine.
That is what intimidation is all about...
ah....yes...Cindy Sheehan is an American hero..
...and she is just like us...
We are all this..
tap your toes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdo5f_ozf 6E


"If you want to end war and stuff, you gotta sing loud"...Arlo Guthrie
by nogo war on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 06:44:48 PM EST

Re: Tell McCain To Step Up on G.I. Bill (none / 0)

From the same night,,,
if ya can tap tap yer toes to this...ya don't belong here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjA_RtsBf Ao&feature=related
"If you want to end war and stuff, you gotta sing loud"...Arlo Guthrie
by nogo war on Thu Apr 03, 2008 at 06:55:34 PM EST


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