American Legion Breaks with Bush, McCain on GI Bill

by: Chris LeJeune

Mon May 12, 2008 at 12:18:24 PM EDT


Last Friday, the American Legion released a statement in support of Senator Webb's proposal for a new GI Bill.  As a Legionnaire myself, I am very happy to see that they are supporting the needs of veterans.

"When The American Legion championed the original Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, even some veterans groups complained that it would 'break the treasury,'" National Commander Marty Conatser said. "Instead, the GI Bill transformed the economy and has been widely hailed as the greatest domestic legislation Congress ever passed. The critics were wrong then and they are wrong now."

As for concerns about the cost of the new GI Bill:

Conatser pointed out that while the Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill, S-22, would cost $51.8 billion over 10 years, "it is a drop in the bucket compared to the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the sacrifices made by America's servicemembers and their families."

Then there are concerns about retention:

Concerns that the new GI Bill, proposed by Sen. James Webb, D-Va., would hurt military retention are unfounded, according to The American Legion. "This bill would encourage young men and women to join the military," Conatser said.

This is wonderful news.  I know that this bill has been a top priority for the VFW and VoteVets for some time now.  The more veterans groups who support this bill, the more likely it is to succeed.
Chris LeJeune :: American Legion Breaks with Bush, McCain on GI Bill
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I was about to post something about this. (0.00 / 0)
Guess I don't have to now.  For information on how you can help get the new GI Bill passed today, click here.

Best news I've heard all day (0.00 / 0)
  Glad the major vets groups are on the same page supporting Webb's bill. That rox.

 Trouble is, does anyone think this will become law before 20 JAN 09?


More on McCain's record: (0.00 / 0)
From HuffPo...John Eskow laments McCain's pattern of supporting the war, but not the troops. Interesting read, and sure to be a central theme over the next six months.


Blue Dog Democrats (0.00 / 0)
Appear to be the next obstacle in passing S.22.  

Re: American Legion Breaks with Bush, McCain on GI Bill (0.00 / 0)
One significant difference between the 1944 G.I. Bill and the 1952 Act was that tuition was no longer paid directly to the chosen institution of higher education. Instead, veterans received a fixed monthly sun of $110 from which they had to pay their tuition, fees, books, and living expenses. Some people would like a decent mint julep recipe. The basic mint julep recipe is sugar, water, mint, ice, and bourbon whiskey. Bourbon whiskey has to be used, otherwise it isn't really a julep. It's the time of year for the Kentucky Derby, which means it's the time of year for a mint julep. The Kentucky Derby results are in, and the Kentucky Derby 2009 Winner is a 50 to 1 underdog, Mine That Bird. The julep is the official cocktail of the race, as bourbon hails from the Bluegrass State. Those who put payday loans down on the horse will be able to drink with satisfaction, whatever mint julep recipe it is.

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