Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Liberalism: Do You Agree We've Had Enough of It? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: puborectalis who wrote (38101)	8/5/2008 8:30:05 PM
From: lorne	Respond to of 224757

Dems derail McCain bill to boost veterans' college aid May 14, 2008 news.moneycentral.msn.com All Associated Press newsWASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Democrats on Wednesday blocked a bill by John McCain that would have increased college aid for military veterans because they said it didn't go far enough and would serve only as political cover for the GOP presidential candidate. Republicans offered McCain's bill as an amendment to legislation that would give police officers, firefighters and other first responders the right to unionize. The Senate voted 55-42 to kill the amendment. McCain, R-Ariz., was on the campaign trail and not present for the vote. "This vote is a message to Bush-McCain Republicans that the U.S. Senate will not stand for political games at the expense of our nation's first responders and veterans," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. McCain proposed his GI bill after Democrats pitched a more ambitious plan that would essentially guarantee a full scholarship to any public, in-state university after serving in the military for three years. Democrats are pushing their proposal, introduced by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., as part of this year's war spending bill. The Pentagon opposes Webb's bill because it says in part that providing such a large benefit after only three years of service would hurt retention. Accordingly, Sens. McCain, Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., and Richard Burr, R-N.C., drafted an alternative that would increase to $1,500 from $1,100 the monthly benefit available to most veterans. The stipend would increase to $2,000 a month after 12 years of service. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin said the Republican maneuvering on Wednesday was intended to protect McCain from any political fallout from opposing Webb's GI bill. "He said it's too generous to give the same benefits to today's warriors returning from conflict that we gave to those returning from World War II," said Durbin, D-Ill. "I think that's a very difficult position to defend." © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

To: puborectalis who wrote (38101)	8/5/2008 8:31:37 PM
From: lorne	Respond to of 224757

....""I take a back seat to no one in my affection, respect and devotion to veterans," McCain said.".... McCain takes aim at Obama on financial aid for veterans Last update: May 26, startribune.com Facing heat from Democrats, John McCain used a Memorial Day appearance to defend his opposition to Senate-passed legislation that would provide additional college financial aid to veterans. The issue has become a point of contention between the Republican nominee-in-waiting and Democratic rival Barack Obama, who supports the measure. In his remarks Monday, McCain made no direct mention of Obama but seemed to poke at him nonetheless. He said his was the right position rather than the politically expedient one, suggesting Obama was on the wrong side of the measure, sponsored by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va. Last week, the Democratic-controlled Senate approved the bill, which would increase educational benefits for service members returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Lawmakers blocked a more limited version that McCain supported. "I am running for the office of commander in chief. That is the highest privilege in this country, and it imposes the greatest responsibilities. And this is why I am committed to our bill," McCain, a Vietnam prisoner of war, said at the New Mexico Veterans Memorial, which is in Albuquerque. He said he opposed Webb's measure because it would give the same benefit to everyone regardless of how many times he or she has enlisted. He said the bill he favored would have increased scholarships based on length of service. "I take a back seat to no one in my affection, respect and devotion to veterans," McCain said.