Obama VA: Let’s charge vets for care on service-related injuries
posted at 10:57 am on March 12, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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If the Obama administration wanted to come up with the most politically offensive policy it could imagine, within the bounds of reason and reality, what elements would it have to include? Insulting veterans and looking like cheapskates in a time when massive government outlays to private industry would certainly help it along. Comes now Hero of the Anti-War Left, retired General Eric Shinseki, who wants to save a few bucks at the Veterans Administration by making men and women injured in the service of our country pay for their care:
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki confirmed Tuesday that the Obama administration is considering a controversial plan to make veterans pay for treatment of service-related injuries with private insurance. …
No official proposal to create such a program has been announced publicly, but veterans groups wrote a pre-emptive letter last week to President Obama voicing their opposition to the idea after hearing the plan was under consideration.
The groups also cited an increase in “third-party collections” estimated in the 2010 budget proposal — something they said could be achieved only if the Veterans Administration started billing for service-related injuries.
Asked about the proposal, Shinseki said it was under “consideration.”
“A final decision hasn’t been made yet,” he said.
Let’s see. The same administration that wants to give tens of billions of dollars to GM, Citigroup, AIG, and a host of other banks and manufacturers wants men and women injured in service to their country to pay for the medical care that arises from these injuries? In what universe does Shinseki and the Obama administration live, anyway?
And people used to complain that Bush didn’t care enough about veteran care – even though he increased the VA budget by 56% from 2001 to 2008. Bush never offered the notion that the nation should shirk its duty to those who gave their health for the defense of America, especially not in the same week in which his administration signed a record omnibus bill with 8,000 pork items in it. In fact, I don’t think any administration has ever signaled such a policy, mostly because previous administrations weren’t dumb enough to try it, let alone crass enough to consider it an area to save a little cash.
Obama said he wanted to bring bipartisanship to Washington, and he may succeed here — by annoying both Democrats and Republicans. Patty Murray (D-WA) declared that any such suggestion would be “dead on arrival” in the Senate. Richard Burr (R-NC) told Shinseki not to count on that revenue stream. If Hope and Change means dunning wounded warriors, Capitol Hill will say thanks, but no thanks, in as united a voice as one can imagine these days.
It’s just another incompetent moment in an administration trying to set a record for them.
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Ogabe & Thugocracy cannot win completely if they don’t find a way to compromise the military. You may be on to something.
JiangxiDad on March 12, 2009 at 11:58 AM
Think about this for a minute.
Where have our current group of wounded veterans received their wounds?
In a war that the President of the United States believes was a mistake and should not have been fought.
We have an all-volunteer military. Why shouldn’t a president who opposed this war refuse to pay for the treatment of wounds received by those who volunteered to fight it? If they had refused to fight, as the President thought they should have, they wouldn’t be injured now, would they?
This could have the added political benefit of making those wounded veterans mad about their injuries. At least some of them would probably turn that anger toward the “Republicans who got them into that war.” So the President may also create some new Democratic voters in future elections.
Besides, this administration has much more important uses for that money now. Like paying for destroying embryos and aborting babies in Africa.
rockmom on March 12, 2009 at 11:58 AM
And how will the VA (government-provided, single-payer health”care”) recoup expenses once they kill off the private health insurance companies by going to socialized medicine?
funky chicken on March 12, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Yes.
capitulus on Mar 12,2009 at 11:45AM.
capitulus:
I wondered when the Left was going to luanch Operation,
“8 Years of Failed Bush Policies,the economy is because of the Iraq War ,
talking points memo,now all Idiot Trolls flood the Rights
phere Blogs this New Distraction’!
BTW,the Rush Distraction is winding down,nice try tho,so
this is the new distraction by your incompetent Hopey/
Changey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW,its Liberals ‘Social Blueprinting of America’,just
remember,America is in a Catostrophic DoomsDay Crisis,
every distracting day,eh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
canopfor on March 12, 2009 at 11:59 AM
If this passes the vets would storm the Capital Building and beat to death every Congressman who voted for it. No way it passes (or so I hope) but just the proposal of it is bad enough.
It’s the usual for the Obama Admin though. Propose something outrageous, tone it down ever so slightly then people feel better somehow about not getting shafted as much as they would have otherwise.
Yakko77 on March 12, 2009 at 11:59 AM
I’m late posting to this but I have to say that this is disgraceful!
TooTall on March 12, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Oh, and it’s “epiphany”. Interesting use of phonics, though! ;)
MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 12:00 PM
Make sure you help get the word out in your military community. I share your anger(23 years as a spouse)My guy leaves next month for his 5th tour to Iraq. This needs to be stopped in its tracked and condemned publicly for even being suggested.
canditaylor68 on March 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Let’s start a HA Good ole boys club. We can all gang up on the Kos/Huffblow fanbois.
OFF TOPIC PIECE:
Speaking of guns, I’m working from home today, and was watching Fox news and saw one of those Brinks home security commercials. I’ve always thought it would be funny if the NRA made a similar commercial but instead of the alarm going off, the girl exercising pulls out a loaded 12 GA and blows a hole in the criminal’s chest, then stands over him while she calls the cop, looking all epic like that dude fighting the dragon in the USMC commercials.
Too much coffee…
leetpriest on March 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM
A few thoughts:
1) Sure, this proposal is ridiculous and horrific. This does not make it markedly different from most of what Barry has proposed.
2) Stupid proposals will likely remain common when the guy in charge is doing work at a job for the first time in his entire life.
3) Never count on anything, no matter how egregious, to sink a Democrat. Facts will be misrepresented or flat out lied about to provide cover up things of abject stupidity. Clinton and wife had their military faux pas and it seemed like it didn’t hurt his poll numbers at all. It would surprise me if Barry’s numbers go up in spite of this.
4) Look for Olby to call the person who exposed this POS “the worst person in the world” tonight. He’s probably bronzing a statue of whomever actually came up with this brain donor’s proposal
5) Someone mentioned impeaching Barry. Two words for you: President Biden. And if he should go, President Pelosi. That chain of dullards should make you step off the ledge of removing President Barry. Besides, our current Misstepper in Chief is comedy gold, or would be if he weren’t so scary.
Physics Geek on March 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM
I’m not sure about that, but she *is* the same idiot who told public-school children that Osama Bin Ladin is popular in parts of the world because al Qaeda does a lot of public-works projects.
teke184 on March 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Rockmom, if that really IS what they are thinking, then he’s really stupider and much more out of touch than even *I* thought!
There may be a few of those, and I know there already are who blame Bush and the Republicans, but THIS idea would have the opposite effect.
JamesLee on March 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM
One more thing these underpaid military folk have to pay for — private insurance. Since most private insurance doesn’t cover Acts of War, these policies are going to be expensive.
I’m sure part 2 on the Shinseki list is to cashier wounded soldiers ASAP so that the Government isn’t burdened with paying the required premiums, and hence isn’t required to treat the injury, period.
Why are these guys so amateurish in their dealings?
Time for another Limbaugh attack, eh?
unclesmrgol on March 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM
That’s correct. Military medicine is socialized medicine. I’ve dealt with it for quite a while now as a military wife.
Anybody who thinks leetpriest’s situation is unique is living in a fantasy world.
funky chicken on March 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Kepp repeating 1 BILLION DOLLARS AN HOUR SPENT BY THE RINO’s, LIBERAL’s and The MESSIAH, and we can’t afford to care for our brave, wounded Miliraty??? Have we all gone insane???
1 BILLION DOLLARS and our Men and Women wait for services?
Where is the outrage, the anger, the support for the Military that we always give lip service to in the Conservative movment? We should demand heads roll and huge changes be made… Call our Congress and Senators…
Let’s not left these returning heros face the hell our Military did after Nam, please America, not again…
Mark Garnett on March 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM
grrrrr Now this p***es me off!!! The government has always treated vets with disdain and do not even pay these heros enough!
My son-in-law is in the Army and he told me once the amount of money given to soldier’s who lost limbs in battle. They have different rates based on which body part is lost. I cant recall those amounts but I know it wasnt much.
HOw does the country expect to keep recruiting more soldiers,if they want to treat them like this.
This burns my a$$.
becki51758 on March 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Something like this?
MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 12:03 PM
As long as we are going here, how about making the same modifications to the health plans available to the President, Senators, and Representatives?
And, while we’re at it, how about folding those privileged groups’ separate retirement plans into Social Security?
unclesmrgol on March 12, 2009 at 12:04 PM
I knew that Obama was radical, but now the very mention of considering such a proposal puts him in the same category as any of the insane radicals on the left.
I hope that he goes public with such a proposal. That just might be the last straw for the American people and it wouldn’t get more than 5 votes in Congress.
Now we know how he was able to warm up to Bill Ayers and Rev. Wright. The man has to be stopped while we still have a country.
orlandocajun on March 12, 2009 at 12:05 PM
/facepalm
:)
Darn public union run schools teaching me multi-cultural bs instead of spelling… And just when I started to like you MC. :) rofl
Mark Garnett on March 12, 2009 at 12:05 PM
This proposal does not match with his promises for the VA. Somebody screwed up.
getalife on March 12, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Do you have a Republican Senator or Congresscritter? If so, maybe you should contact them and get the big muscle on your problem.
unclesmrgol on March 12, 2009 at 12:05 PM
Another thing is that Military Treatment Facilities (where active duty and if space available, their families and retirees are seen), have been doing this for probably twenty years.
There is even an entire computer system funded, developed and designed by the DoD to aid in recovering money from insurance companies, named TPOCS http://www.tricare.mil/ocfo/mcfs/ubo/chcs_systems/tpocs.cfm
I’m all for beating up Bammy when he deserves it, he doesn’t deserve it here.
The VA is just 20 years behind DoD on this one.
NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 12:06 PM
I hope capitulus is selected for this duty. He would find his new assignment under Dear Leader enlightening.
MarkABinVA on March 12, 2009 at 12:06 PM
funky chicken on March 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Absolutely! Being on active duty now for 22 years, I’ve experienced my fair share of it, especially over the last two years.
This is what kills me about the proponents of “nationalized health care”. I’ve lived it for over two decades – it ain’t all it’s cracked up to be folks.
catmman on March 12, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Q: Where does the buck stop in the Obama Administration?
A: Bush.
unclesmrgol on March 12, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Private K-8 education for the win! :D
Though to be honest, I had some very good teachers at my public high school, and state university. I just made sure to annoy the ones that didn’t like me debating them in class.
MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 12:08 PM
unclesmrgol on March 12, 2009 at 12:06 PM
Again, I think he will man up and apologize and admit a mistake.
Something the gop can never man up and admit.
getalife on March 12, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Your vote for Obama the Incompetent was a mistake. There, I admitted it. But I hear you get a free DVD set for voting, which is cool.
TheUnrepentantGeek on March 12, 2009 at 12:11 PM
In addition to all the bailout money, there’s the $901M we’re set to spend on Hamas. Claw that back for the Vets!
The Principal Chair on March 12, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Thanks for the info. I retract my knee jerk reaction but it does look bad.
getalife on March 12, 2009 at 12:12 PM
Eventually, you will realize that the “someone” who screwed up — and screws up everything he touches — is your very own Osama Obama.
The disgusting, incompetent child-president is a serial liar, who made his extravagant “proposals” sound all warm and fuzzy to gull impressionable/stupid people into supporting him.
Sadly, it worked.
He needs to go.
MrScribbler on March 12, 2009 at 12:12 PM
funky chicken on March 12, 2009 at 12:02 PM
Amen sister!! My brother-in-law is still dealing with injuries from the first gulf war. My husband works part time t the VA in our area, and it is just sad. It really ticks me off that we are not providing the BEST healthcare for our military, not the WORST. If you want to see what the rest of us are going to get under Obambi’s socialized healthcare proposal, as any military spouse what it takes to get something fixed for their children. It is amazing.
catlady on March 12, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Wow. I think we’ve just seen the definition of “ungrateful.” What kind of wretch would even think of making servicemen wounded in the line of duty pay for their own medical care?
irishspy on March 12, 2009 at 12:13 PM
MrScribbler on March 12, 2009 at 12:12 PM
He is not reforming government for nothing. Your argument would apply to the last administration if you dare to be honest which you will not.
getalife on March 12, 2009 at 12:16 PM
It sounds perfectly reasonable to me. We can’t pay for taking care of our veterans AND give Hamas $900,000,000 to rebuild Gaza, or give scholarships to Palistinians!
Star20 on March 12, 2009 at 12:16 PM
No, he’s gone even more over the edge.
RLTW
Fletch54 on March 12, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Dad was a Marine under Jimmuh Carter’s administration and we lived in a trailer and had to go catch crabs from the river a few times a month for food. In 1980, Reagan changed that and we moved into a house and dad made a livable wage. Again, as a soldier under Clintoon, I had to feed my family with left-over MREs from the field. This story doesn’t surprise me but rather saddens me. These service members are in for a long painful ride under this administration.
Claypigeon on March 12, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Thanks for posting this, Ed!
It has no chance of passing but it sure does reflect how Obama views the military.
ladyingray on March 12, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Holy crap, that’s awesome!
Yeah, and I have actually contacted both of my Senators (both Republican, thank God), and my congressman (A dem, but a blue dog). They’ve been working with me, but after a year of this, the V.A. is playing the delay game.
Again, I’m not so much upset about myself, I have a decent job with a decent wage, and my injury isn’t as severe as some. I’ve been fortunate to have a few extra skills. Some of my friends have lost much more, and cannot afford medical treatment for their loss of limb. This article makes me worry about them. I can’t imagine losing a hand like one of my friends. Just the thought of the chance that he would be gimped, then cut off just tears me up.
leetpriest on March 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM
sadly, that could very well be Barry’s train of thought!
anniekc on March 12, 2009 at 12:21 PM
So I guess this means fixing up the hospitals is out. :(
dogsoldier on March 12, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Yea, we know…he’s reforming government for his socialist agenda. Why do liberals always bring up Bush whenever a Democrat does something outrageous as if that changes anything. Why not bring up Carter which would be an exact reference to Obama based upon what we’ve seen so far.
orlandocajun on March 12, 2009 at 12:26 PM
I notice you conveniently left out the remaining portion of ErinF’s comment, which refers to the fact that she has observed the Somali welfare recipients getting their prescriptions filled for free, while the U.S. seniors and veterans do not.
Since you’re obviously such a caring, compassionate sort, capitulus, why don’t you volunteer to sign over your income to the Somali community in the U.S.? I’m sure they could use more money — after all, that AQ terrorist training doesn’t come cheap. They need airfare to and from the training camps, throwaway cell phones that can’t be traced back to them, bomb-making materials, etc. I’m sure their U.S. welfare payments only cover a small portion of it.
Meanwhile, the rest of us will continue to indulge our “angry, petty and backward” emotions at the fact that our government continues to spend our tax dollars making life more comfy for foreigners who hate us and want to kill us, while stiffing the U.S. service men and women who risk life and limb to defend us — and sometimes even those poor Somalis you pretend to care so much about — does Mogadishu ring any bells for you, cappy?. Or are you, like the rest of your liberal friends, only compassionate with other peoples’ lives and money?
AZCoyote on March 12, 2009 at 12:27 PM
This is a disgusting display of what those that have been elected really think about our american servicemen and women. One thing that these bozos forget is that we train our snipers very well.
workingforpigs on March 12, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Remember “we support the troops but not the war?”. Turns out they detested the troops too. How ungrateful??? I am afraid of the damage that will have been caused in four years. Obama and his fellow liberals are so naive it is unbelievable. They think they can write letters all over, sweet talk terrorists and win them over. The extremists who hate America have one thing in common, to see the end of America.
Look around, Russia is partnering up with Cuba and Venezuela, China is building its Army, Kim Jong Ill is flexing his muscles, Iran is getting bolder by the day… What do (Obama) do? Come up with ways to demoralize our men and women in Uniform. As if that is not enough, Biden and Obama go around declaring we are loosing in Afghanistan! Is this the way to inspire our men and women in uniform? Where is the hope? Where is the inspiration?
When the guy talked about change, people did not ask what kind of change. It is change alright…
karu_servative on March 12, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Obammie the Commie is at it again!! The idea here, is clearly NOT to save money, he spends trillions at a whack, so money is not the concern, his concern and goal is to tear down our military. Who is going to volunteer for military service when they have to pay for their own health care? America’s defenses destroyed, Obama says… yes we can!!
Maxx on March 12, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Right. Which is why I asked where the VA thinks it will get private insurance money after the Obama administration kills the private health insurance system by going to government-provided, single-payer “health” care?
The government can’t afford to provide medical care to wounded veterans, but it can afford to provide medical care to 300 million Americans?
yeah…..
funky chicken on March 12, 2009 at 12:28 PM
***
Once again the democrats / liberals / socialists / marxists / communists and their leader President Obama (PBUH) show their thinly veiled DISDAIN FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL.
***
The troops are a lot smarter than these clowns think they are. Watch the videos of “B. J.” Clinton speaking to them on an aircraft carrier–or President O’Bummer talking to the Marines a month ago. The good military are respecting their commander and looking unhappy–not much real enthusiasm there. They know the real score.
***
Then watch President G.W. Bush on the “mission accomplished” aircraft carrier video. The troops respected and liked him–he served in the military.
***
President Obama will soon gut the military and VA hospitals. He needs the money to “rebuild” (aka REARM) Gaza and HAMAS. No need for a military when PRE-EMPTIVE SURRENDER is the new U.S.S.A. policy.
***
Coming soon–the DRAFT AGAIN–when the good military personnel opt out of this crappy treatment.
***
John Bibb–U.S. Army draftee–1964–1966.
***
rocketman on March 12, 2009 at 12:32 PM
As long as we’re still paying for the illegal aliens’ healthcare…priorities folks, priorities.
hollygolightly on March 12, 2009 at 12:34 PM
That policy has been implemented for quite a while. I have a service related disability, and there are some things I end up having to pay for because I “make too much money”. I always thought this was dumb and I haven’t had to pay any large amounts of money, but I was always told the VA would be there for me at no cost. All of my appointment sheets are stamped “insurance co-pay.” One of the reasons I went to the VA for my surgery was my health insurance wouldn’t cover my service related injury because I get a check from VA. This program sounds like they want to expand it to ALL vets. This is CRAP.
Nuts4koi on March 12, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Not surprising. Just another poke in the eye of America’s heritage by a smooth-talking,(er…reading)slimeball snake-oil salesman with a Marxist agenda and a butt-kissing congress.
He holds this country, and it’s symbols, in contempt and never tires of treating them like dirt.
I swear, somebody needs to flick that booger.
SKYFOX on March 12, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Who was it that came up with charging a $250 enrollment fee to veterans? That would be Bush.
In fact, check this out: http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.magdtl&dtl=1&mid=2189
But it’s only evil, evil Democrats who would ask soldiers to pay for medical care, right?
Also, let’s remember who it was that sent thousands of our soldiers into an unnecessary war, thus ensuring that we would need huge increases in Veteran’s benefits.
orange on March 12, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Just when you wonder if liberals can possibly sink any lower,they do.
Is this who Obama wants to suck money out of while he bails out his Wall st. friends and welfare sheep.
A Tribute to our Fallen Soldiers In Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC06fm8HZLE
Have they not given enough?:
A Dedication to the Soldiers in Iraq
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9T_BlXDzH0
Just 8 yrs. old when Ayers was bombing America right Obama.
Ideas like this more than prove the influence Ayers/Dohern and Rev. Wright had on Mr. “God Dam# America”.
Baxter Greene on March 12, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Yeah you moron, in my case and in the case of thousands of other vets it was the great JFK and LBJ.
Nuts4koi on March 12, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Our VP has a son in the Army who is, or was, in the sandbox. So he might at least be more sympathetic.
I remember from the campaign, out of Obama, Biden, McCain, and Palin, only Obama is the one that doesn’t have immediate family currently serving.
SPCOlympics on March 12, 2009 at 12:44 PM
Legitimate point. Biden’s a tool, but he doesn’t appear to have more loathing for the military than the Clintons.
MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 12:46 PM
funky chicken on March 12, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Good point. I like your highlighting of the word “health”. If this goes anything like the military here’s what we can expect:
Once a year you’ll have to accomplish a “preventative health assessment” (PHA). Years ago, this was done by a doctor: blood was drawn, tests were done, and any needed vaccines which were required or needed updating were given. Initially, it was kind of a “one-stop shop” – routine issue were taken care of, then anything which the patient was going through then was addressed and follow-up appts were given, etc.
Fast forward a decade: Now our PHA is an online “survey” or “questionaire”. You are given a series of questions by a computer program, your answers dictate how far the “questionaire” goes. If you are feeling OK at the time you do your survey, then you get a follow-up email giving you some helpful “lifestyle advice” (eating right, exercise, that kind of thing)- and that’s it; no visit to an actual doctor, no routine nothing.
If you raise any issues depending what they are, you are instructed to get an appt with your PCM. Any actual medical intervention has to come from you though – you have to make the appts, etc. So again, if you feel OK you won’t even get a prompt to see a doctor. If you don’t feel OK or hint that there might be some issue, you might get a prompt to contact a PCM, but you have to do everything yourself – there is no medical or doctor intervention. Now this might seem like the way it would be anyway, unless your sick, then you won’t go to a doctor. But the whole idea behind a PHA is to get some kind of “preventative” intervention and unless you answer the questions in the right way, you don’t. A PHA years ago found that I had high cholesterol which subsequently needed treatment. If the PHA were done then the way it is now the problem would never have been found, and would subsequently have gone untreated until some time in the future when it may have been too late.
So what’s the point? This is a government program. They always promise the world and might even start out as beneficial (as our PHA’s used to be). Eventually however, the bean counters will find a way to “cut costs” basically relegating what the program is supposed to be to a sham and a waste of time benefitting no one but the program administrators.
That is the kind of thing Obamacare (any ‘nationalized’ health care) will give us. “Health” only for some government beauracracy.
catmman on March 12, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Yes,lets do remember who sent thousands of Men and Women off to a war that according to liberals then,was necessary and important to our National security:
US Senators who voted YES to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq:
Allard, Wayne (R-CO)
Allen, George (R-VA)
Baucus, Max (D-MT)
Bayh, Evan (D-IN)
Bennett, Robert (R-UT)
Biden, Joseph (D-DE)
Bond, Christopher (R-MO)
Breaux, John (D-LA)
Brownback, Sam (R-KS)
Bunning, Jim (R-KY)
Burns, Conrad (R-MT)
Campbell, Ben (R-CO)
Cantwell, Maria (D-WA)
Carnahan, Jean (D-MO)
Carper, Thomas (D-DE)
Cleland, Max (D-GA)
Clinton, Hillary (D-NY)
Cochran, Thad (R-MS)
Collins, Susan (R-ME)
Craig, Larry (R-ID)
Crapo, Michael (R-ID)
Daschle, Tom (D-SD)
DeWine, Mike (R-OH)
Dodd, Christopher (D-CT)
Domenici, Pete (R-NM)
Dorgan, Byron (D-ND)
Edwards, John (D-NC)
Ensign, John (R-NV)
Enzi, Michael (R-WY)
Feinstein, Dianne (D-CA)
Fitzgerald, Peter (R-IL)
Frist, Bill (R-TN)
Gramm, Phil (R-TX)
Grassley, Chuck (R-IA)
Gregg, Judd (R-NH)
Hagel, Chuck (R-NE)
Harkin, Tom (D-IA)
Hatch, Orrin (R-UT)
Helms, Jesse (R-NC)
Hollings, Ernest (D-SC)
Hutchinson, Tim (R-AR)
Hutchison, Kay (R-TX)
Inhofe, James (R-OK)
Johnson, Tim (D-SD)
Kerry, John (D-MA)
Kohl, Herb (D-WI)
Kyl, Jon (R-AZ)
Landrieu, Mary (D-LA)
Lieberman, Joseph (D-CT)
Lincoln, Blanche (D-AR)
Lott, Trent (R-MS)
Lugar, Richard (R-IN)
McCain, John (R-AZ)
McConnell, Mitch (R-KY)
Miller, Zell (D-GA)
Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK)
Nelson, Bill (D-FL)
Nelson, Ben (D-NE)
Nickles, Don (R-OK)
Reid, Harry (D-NV)
Roberts, Pat (R-KS)
Rockefeller, John (D-WV)
Santorum, Rick (R-PA)
Schumer, Charles (D-NY)
Sessions, Jeff (R-AL)
Shelby, Richard (R-AL)
Smith, Robert (R-NH)
Smith, Gordon (R-OR)
Snowe, Olympia (R-ME)
Specter, Arlen (R-PA)
Stevens, Ted (R-AK)
Thomas, Craig (R-WY)
Thompson, Fred (R-TN)
Thurmond, Strom (R-SC)
Torricelli, Robert (D-NJ)
Voinovich, George (R-OH)
Warner, John (R-VA)
http://freedomagenda.com/iraq/wmd_quotes.html#Li6mUSanCu
[Link Directly To This Entry]
US Congressional Representatives who voted YES to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq:
Ackerman
Aderholt
Akin
Andrews
Armey
Bachus
Baker
Ballenger
Barcia
Barr
Bartlett
Barton
Bass
Bentsen
Bereuter
Berkley
Berman
Berry
Biggert
Bilirakis
Bishop
Blagojevich
Blunt
Boehlert
Boehner
Bonilla
Bono
Boozman
Borski
Boswell
Boucher
Boyd
Brady (TX)
Brown (SC)
Bryant
Burr
Burton
Buyer
Callahan
Calvert
Camp
Cannon
Cantor
Capito
Carson (OK)
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Davis, Jo Ann
Davis, Tom
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Baxter Greene on March 12, 2009 at 12:47 PM
Biden would be an enormous improvement over Obama in every category I can imagine.
Pelosi needs to go. The GOP needs to push the story about her abuse of the military air travel, and push it hard.
NO more distractions….that woman must be made so toxic to democrats that she is removed from the house leadership.
funky chicken on March 12, 2009 at 12:48 PM
Yes,lets do remember who sent thousands of Men and Women off to a war that according to liberals then,was necessary and important to our National security:
US Senators who voted YES to authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against Iraq:
Allard, Wayne (R-CO)
Allen, George (R-VA)
Baucus, Max (D-MT)
Bayh, Evan (D-IN)
Bennett, Robert (R-UT)
Biden, Joseph (D-DE)
Bond, Christopher (R-MO)
Breaux, John (D-LA)
Brownback, Sam (R-KS)
Bunning, Jim (R-KY)
Burns, Conrad (R-MT)
Campbell, Ben (R-CO)
Cantwell, Maria (D-WA)
Carnahan, Jean (D-MO)
Carper, Thomas (D-DE)
Cleland, Max (D-GA)
Clinton, Hillary (D-NY)
Cochran, Thad (R-MS)
Collins, Susan (R-ME)
Craig, Larry (R-ID)
Crapo, Michael (R-ID)
Daschle, Tom (D-SD)
DeWine, Mike (R-OH)
Dodd, Christopher (D-CT)
Domenici, Pete (R-NM)
Dorgan, Byron (D-ND)
Edwards, John (D-NC)
Ensign, John (R-NV)
Enzi, Michael (R-WY)
Feinstein, Dianne (D-CA)
Fitzgerald, Peter (R-IL)
Frist, Bill (R-TN)
Gramm, Phil (R-TX)
Grassley, Chuck (R-IA)
Gregg, Judd (R-NH)
Hagel, Chuck (R-NE)
Harkin, Tom (D-IA)
Hatch, Orrin (R-UT)
Helms, Jesse (R-NC)
Hollings, Ernest (D-SC)
Hutchinson, Tim (R-AR)
Hutchison, Kay (R-TX)
Inhofe, James (R-OK)
Johnson, Tim (D-SD)
Kerry, John (D-MA)
Kohl, Herb (D-WI)
Kyl, Jon (R-AZ)
Landrieu, Mary (D-LA)
Lieberman, Joseph (D-CT)
Lincoln, Blanche (D-AR)
Lott, Trent (R-MS)
Lugar, Richard (R-IN)
McCain, John (R-AZ)
McConnell, Mitch (R-KY)
Miller, Zell (D-GA)
Murkowski, Lisa (R-AK)
Nelson, Bill (D-FL)
Nelson, Ben (D-NE)
Nickles, Don (R-OK)
Reid, Harry (D-NV)
Roberts, Pat (R-KS)
Rockefeller, John (D-WV)
Santorum, Rick (R-PA)
Schumer, Charles (D-NY)
Sessions, Jeff (R-AL)
Shelby, Richard (R-AL)
Smith, Robert (R-NH)
Smith, Gordon (R-OR)
Snowe, Olympia (R-ME)
Specter, Arlen (R-PA)
Stevens, Ted (R-AK)
Thomas, Craig (R-WY)
Thompson, Fred (R-TN)
Thurmond, Strom (R-SC)
Torricelli, Robert (D-NJ)
Voinovich, George (R-OH)
Warner, John (R-VA)
JOINT RESOLUTION ON IRAQ
October 11, 2002
U.S. Capitol
Baxter Greene on March 12, 2009 at 12:50 PM
These People have been building Hospitals for our Wounded with Private money…did they get any Stimulus Money? I don’t understand this, and I blogged about it, the Mayor of Pittsburgh, defended taking money from the stimulus bill for infrastructure maintenance at a children’s zoo…but our Military Service People have to depend on the Private Sector for CARE of wounds they received defending our country?
http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/
Dr Evil on March 12, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Baxter Greene on March 12, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Stop using facts. Lefties have trouble with that. They prefer “truths.”
PimFortuynsGhost on March 12, 2009 at 12:53 PM
Dammit, man, he’s trying to be nice to you and you go poke him in the eye.
Weren’t you just chastizing a troll for correcting someone else’s typing earlier in this very thread?
BadgerHawk on March 12, 2009 at 12:57 PM
My work filter is blocking that as ‘tasteless’. Going to have to check that out tonight.
BadgerHawk on March 12, 2009 at 12:58 PM
LOL.
So true.
I am assuming “truths” is liberal speak for “outright lies
and selective amnesia”.
Baxter Greene on March 12, 2009 at 12:58 PM
I am a disabled combat veteran. I volunteered to serve as a platoon leader in a light infantry unit in a very umpopular war because I strongly believed in the idea (not always the realization) of America. Many of my close friends died, many more were permanently injured. We believed in America.
Comrade Obama has now declared war on me, he has declared war on every veteran who ever served.
As either Gens. Sherman or Sheridan said (I can’t remember which): If he wants war, we will give him all that he wants.
I’m not joking around.
lonesomecharlie on March 12, 2009 at 1:00 PM
I’m talking to an Internet Warrior here. He’s got to be kept in tip-top shape.
MadisonConservative on March 12, 2009 at 1:00 PM
Every think the Obama Administration has done up to this point has been truly stunning and wrong. But, it has been understandable. After all, elections have consequences and we elected a communist and we need to hunker down until we can remove him and roll back all the damage he’s doing.
This one, however can not stand! This one must be dealt with swiftly and in a clear voice by the American People! Our soldiers deserve everything we can give them and more, not less! They deserve our deep respect and honor and they certainly deserve to have every penny of their medical care covered by the United States Government, PERIOD! Every fricking cent! If there is a dispute, the Government should error on the side of the soldier and then figure it out themselves!
This is truly sickening and I’m writing to my one liberal Senator (being from Minnesota) and to my Governor and anyone else that will listen!
sabbott on March 12, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Of course Team ZerO knows it won’t be passable.
This is all gestures.
The How to Manual to encourage current service member to ‘retire’ and to curtail the armed forces enlistment rate .
Sir Napsalot on March 12, 2009 at 1:04 PM
Yeah, this is pretty bad. I can’t believe Shinseki proposed it. Or is there so little money available that the USA cannot take care of its brave soldiers, its men and women who work and suffer and bleed for their country?
Oh, and I’d like to thank lonesomecharlie for his service. I’d do more for him if he likes and is straight. :)
Frivolous on March 12, 2009 at 1:05 PM
canditaylor68 on March 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM
My prayers are with you and your family. Our lives are not easy one but like I said I am proud of my husband and yours. God bless you and your husband.
milwife88 on March 12, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Thank you for your service.
One Soldier has done more for the spread of Freedom around the world than all the liberal activists combined.
My family knows where we get our Freedoms from.
I think I speak for a lot of people in letting you know we will fight for your rights,on the Hill or in the streets,and will do whatever is necessary to ensure you get the respect and support you deserve.
Baxter Greene on March 12, 2009 at 1:08 PM
Well, not necessarily all vets but they certainly gave him the middle finger.
Rambler on March 12, 2009 at 1:09 PM
What you said!!!
christene on March 12, 2009 at 1:13 PM
IF this gets out, it will cost Obomber big time. Therefore, tell your friends!
james23 on March 12, 2009 at 1:13 PM
This little twerp better know one thing – he can **** with the piss-ant suburban liberal zombies all he wants, there will be few consequences.
**** with us – look out.
lonesomecharlie on March 12, 2009 at 1:17 PM
I don’t exactly think that a $250 fee for higher-income vets with no disabilities (while I oppose that) is the same as requiring vets to pay for injuries that have occured while in the service, not one bit.
I like that “unecessary war” comment you threw in there. /sarc We won’t go into the number of UN violations that would have allowed military force that were ignored by the world. How easily some people forget.
Rambler on March 12, 2009 at 1:19 PM
As the child of 2 Navy Vietnam veterans, I am pi$$ed off at this new ‘development’ in the admin to ’save’ $.
How unbelievably stupid.
I can say one thing: if Obama does get this done (extremely unlikely), you can bet when the civil war comes on what side our military will fight on.
Badger40 on March 12, 2009 at 1:23 PM
If playing with guns is what makes you feel like a “real man” and “important” then have fun. No one wants your guns or anything else from your ilk.
capitulus on March 12, 2009 at 1:25 PM
The suggestion alone is patently offensive.
The arrogance makes me recoil at what they might consider next.
juanito on March 12, 2009 at 1:35 PM
Don’t forget that most of those Dems didn’t even read what they were voting on. That’s because they knew that the bulk of the intel Bush used to justify going into Iraq was generated by the previous (Democrat) Administration. Mrs. Clinton even said at the time the vote came down that she voted yes based on what Slick’s intel people told her-not what the evil Bush claimed was going on in Baghdad.
BTW Shineski is a bud of O’bama, as he is allegedly from Hawai’i as well.
Del Dolemonte on March 12, 2009 at 1:41 PM
Even contemplating doing this is sickening!
TDBURN on March 12, 2009 at 1:42 PM
:)
Mark Garnett on March 12, 2009 at 1:43 PM
Say, since the Obamabots like to chant about the “unnecessary war” that began in response to all those ignored U.N. sanctions, do you suppose their hero Obama will have the courage of his convictions and withdraw the United States from the U.N.? After all, if U.N. security council resolutions are unenforceable, and can be ignored with complete impunity by totalitarian states, there’s not much point in America forking over a billion dollars a year to belong to the organization. We could use that billion to pay for some of Obama’s lavish domestic spending. Better yet, we could use that billion for veteran’s benefits! Then nobody would have to talk about socking vets with assessments for the medical care!
Can we count on you Obama supporters for your support in this logical extension to your often-repeated belief that going to war over flagrant violation of U.N. resolutions is “unnecessary?” I think we can! I’ve always been impressed with how you followed the courage of your convictions and loudly called for Bill Clinton’s impeachment over his “unnecessary war” against the Serbians, who never attacked us. I’m sure you’re ready to follow your Fortress America passions to their logical conclusion!
Doctor Zero on March 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Asking those who do virtually all of the sacrifice for this war to sacrifice some more? Typical of the political class.
The political class in this country, especially the federal government, is the lowest form of human on the planet.
The first bill I have to pay for my own care while serving will be my last day of service.
King of the Britons on March 12, 2009 at 1:45 PM
Remember:
1 BILLION DOLLARS AN HOUR FOR PORK, BUT NO CARE FOR OUR WAR HEROS!
1 BILLION DOLLARS AN HOUR FOR WELFARE AND TAX CHEATS, BUT NOT ONE DIME FOR VETERANS!
1 BILLION DOLLARS AN HOUR FOR UNION THUGS AND ACORN, BUT NO CARE FOR WOUNDED AMERICAN PARTIOTS!
Is anyone else MAD AS HELL at this Messiah POS???
1 BILLION
Mark Garnett on March 12, 2009 at 1:47 PM
You know,this would only result in a Texas-Ranger-of-old-style military-where buying your own guns, ammo, & food & a horse is a sweet deal bcs of all the people you’d get to rob & kill (in other words-POS’s would replace our brave soldiers & Obama would then institute martial law with them to enforce it!).
And I mean the 1st Rangers made up of thieves & killers, not the good ones.
Badger40 on March 12, 2009 at 1:52 PM
Why would this surprise anyone, they release the criminal that killed our servicemen on the USS Cole. This administration does not support our troops, unless they think saying that will get them elected. Shame on them.
workingforpigs on March 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
Madoff? He started his Ponzi scheme on Bill Clinton’s watch. Therefore, Bill Clinton deserves all of the credit for not catching him. Just as he let Enron get away with fraud for 5 years.
You’re dismissed now.
Del Dolemonte on March 12, 2009 at 1:53 PM
I say we reinstate the draft, take the thugs and those on welfare in, put them on the border to protect and serve. Give them some training and get them off the welfare roles. Anyone receiving aid should do community service work, since the community pays them.
workingforpigs on March 12, 2009 at 1:55 PM
I’m sure you don’t think WWII was a “necessary” war either.
Maxx on March 12, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Kinda like when Clinton lied about ’sex’ with Monica?
Ooops-I’m sorry I lied!
Gee, I’m sorry I’m a schmuck who is completely insensitive & stupid!
Obama will have a lot more to apologize for in the next 3+ years.
Badger40 on March 12, 2009 at 1:57 PM
Yea, and that would raise your insurance premiums and would make insurance companies reluctant to cover service connected veterans; the VA already charges veteran’s insurance for non-service connected sickness and injuries; and vets have not problem with this practice….sorry, but your statement is stupid.
I am a 50% vet…and I have several friends who are rated vets. After we found out about this, we decided that this would be just fine for the little messiah and his felonious minions in the administration to press for…this is one of two things that will bring this gaggle of criminals down. The other thing to knock the king off the throne is a released Gitmo detainee carrying out an attack here at home………
norm1111 on March 12, 2009 at 1:57 PM
This unfortunately plays into my martial law scheme.
Not a good idea.
Badger40 on March 12, 2009 at 1:57 PM
So soldiers may have to start filing workman’s comp claims? Unbelievable.
Rip Ford on March 12, 2009 at 1:58 PM
Shinseki: Quartermaster = massive corruption and mismanagement. Was always the leader among all branches of the Army. And now to save his self image as really terrible leader, he plans to salvage his shaky self-image on the back of the troops he so long despised.
Friendly21 on March 12, 2009 at 2:03 PM
Why should higher-income vets without service-connected disabilities be using the VA at all?
Sorry, I didn’t join the military for socialized medicine.
I was never in combat or wounded in combat and I have far more benefits than I ever asked for, need or realize, not the least of which is serving the greatest country that has ever existed.
What’s sad is how many “service-connected” disabilities are for falling off sidewalks, bad knees from playing off duty football and scars from drunken rampages.
Line of duty investigations are notoriously lax and malingerers have learned how to game the system. Bums are getting checks for forty years, for bogus claims or for “injuries” which in no way should be classified as service-connected.
These “vets” should be ashamed of themselves. If you make a good income, you should pay for your own health insurance and leave the VA to the guys who need it.
NoDonkey on March 12, 2009 at 2:08 PM
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