Do You Think The GOP May Be Catching On?

I'm not so sure it's about republican's catching on; this election was about the Iraq war. I don't think most republicans have analyzed Bush as an individual. He's really a sociopath who seems to be personable when he's in contact with people, but people usually doesn't look into the man that lies(often), doesn't really care for our veterans (cut their benefits), and doesn't understand or care for his responsibility for the carnage in Iraq. Bush is only about "power."

How were benefits cut for vets? Please explain.

Budget plan cuts veterans' benefits

LES BLUMENTHAL; The News Tribune
Last updated: February 25th, 2005 08:51 AM


WASHINGTON - More than 10,000 Washington state veterans could face a $1,000-a-year increase for their medical care under a Bush administration budget proposal, a veterans advocacy group says.
And state officials warn that the White House spending plan could force out roughly half of the 600 residents at Washington's three veterans homes, possibly resulting in the closure of one of them.

"It's almost hopeless for the average vet to get taken care of," said John Kenny, who fought as a machine gunner in the Philippines and New Guinea during World War II. "It's a scandal."

The administration has proposed charging some veterans a $250 annual fee for access to medical services provided by the Veterans Administration and more than doubling the copayment for prescription drugs from $7 to $15. The new fees would apply to single veterans making more than $26,000 annually and married veterans making about $30,000 annually.

In addition, the Bush administration budget would significantly reduce federal support for state-operated veterans homes and impose new limitations on who can be admitted.

"This is a Draconian change at time when demand is growing," said John King, a Vietnam veteran and director of the Washington Department of Veterans Affairs. "The baby boomers are right on the doorstep."

At a series of hearings on Capitol Hill last week, administration officials defended their veterans budget, saying it would increase spending by $880 million, or 2.2 percent, even as the federal deficit mounts. And it would refocus services on the most financially needy and seriously injured vets.

"This is a fair, thorough and doable budget which reflects this administration's priority for vets," said Jim Nicholson, secretary of veterans affairs, said under questioning from Sen. Patty Murray (D-Seattle).

In asking some veterans to shoulder the cost of the new fees, Nicholson said it would ensure "sufficient resources for the care of those who need us most."

Murray, however, berated Nicholson and, at a subsequent hearing, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. She said they are reneging on a commitment to take care of all veterans, regardless of whether they had served in combat or had been seriously wounded.

T's colleague working for a VA hospital says they're completely overwhelmed by the number of PTSD cases.