As far as I know, I'm the only commenter on this thread who is a veteran (U.S. Army, 1972-1992, retired Master Sergeant), a registered Republican and a linguist (Master of Arts in Teaching Foreign Language). As such, I'd like to point out that Ted's non-restrictive clause "Republicans (who want to turn their backs on them after they have finished their military service)" (i.e. ALL Republicans want to turn their backs on veterans) should be a restrictive clause: "Republicans who want to turn their backs on them after they have finished their military service" (as opposed to those Republicans who don't - i.e. myself and a lot of other Republicans).
That said, as the federal government continues to spend money it doesn't have (and yes, that includes unfunded wars started by Republicans), more and more of the budget will be eaten up by servicing the enormous, ever growing debt. And just like a family that's maxed out its credit cards, hard choices will have to be made. As a veteran who's been promised certain benefits in return for my service, I'd be willing to tighten my belt a little, providing that everyone else (including corporations and investment banks, as well as non-veteran individuals) were to do the same.
Well said, CT. I was not referring to all Republicans in the United States (and I should have made that clear), but to those elected officials in Washington, who almost unanimously voted against veterans benefits.
I was also an anti-war activist when we were fighting that ill-fated war. That doesn't mean that Bernie (or I) turned our backs on our soldiers (or vets). We were fighting to keep them from being needlessly killed in a war we shouldn't have been fighting (and many vets joined the anti-war movement).
Unlike the republicans, many anti-war people are supporting our troops by wanting unnecessary wars (like the ones we are in now) to end, decrease military budget so that the money can be used to HELP the returning GIs, and tax the rich to their share so that the care needed by the GIs can be maintained.
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What would he know about vets?
ReplyDeletedon't know, but he is the chairman of the senate committee on veterans affairs. maybe he's learned something working in that capacity.
DeleteHe obviously knows more about vets than the Republicans (who want to turn their backs on them after they have finished their military service).
ReplyDeleteAs far as I know, I'm the only commenter on this thread who is a veteran (U.S. Army, 1972-1992, retired Master Sergeant), a registered Republican and a linguist (Master of Arts in Teaching Foreign Language). As such, I'd like to point out that Ted's non-restrictive clause "Republicans (who want to turn their backs on them after they have finished their military service)" (i.e. ALL Republicans want to turn their backs on veterans) should be a restrictive clause: "Republicans who want to turn their backs on them after they have finished their military service" (as opposed to those Republicans who don't - i.e. myself and a lot of other Republicans).
DeleteThat said, as the federal government continues to spend money it doesn't have (and yes, that includes unfunded wars started by Republicans), more and more of the budget will be eaten up by servicing the enormous, ever growing debt. And just like a family that's maxed out its credit cards, hard choices will have to be made. As a veteran who's been promised certain benefits in return for my service, I'd be willing to tighten my belt a little, providing that everyone else (including corporations and investment banks, as well as non-veteran individuals) were to do the same.
I'm not holding my breath until that happens.
Well said, CT. I was not referring to all Republicans in the United States (and I should have made that clear), but to those elected officials in Washington, who almost unanimously voted against veterans benefits.
DeleteWell he turned his back on them back in the '60s when they were fighting for their country and he was bravely attending anti-war demos.
ReplyDeleteI was also an anti-war activist when we were fighting that ill-fated war. That doesn't mean that Bernie (or I) turned our backs on our soldiers (or vets). We were fighting to keep them from being needlessly killed in a war we shouldn't have been fighting (and many vets joined the anti-war movement).
DeleteUnlike the republicans, many anti-war people are supporting our troops by wanting unnecessary wars (like the ones we are in now) to end, decrease military budget so that the money can be used to HELP the returning GIs, and tax the rich to their share so that the care needed by the GIs can be maintained.
ReplyDelete