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VoteVets has just released a TV ad demanding that John McCain vote for the New GI Bill. |
This week, our veterans are counting on us more than ever.
Senator Jim Webb's New GI Bill, which would give our returning soldiers the education benefits they need, is up for a Senate vote this week. We're so close to reaching that critical 60-vote majority to overcome unprecedented filibusters and the opposition of President Bush and John McCain, but we need your help. That's why VoteVets has just released a TV ad demanding that John McCain do the right thing and vote for the New GI Bill.
The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing an education for returning soldiers and helping to create America's middle class. But today, the standards of the original GI Bill are failing to keep up with rising tuition costs to the point where the average benefit doesn't even pay for half the cost of an in-state student's education at a public college.
The White House has voiced concern about the bill, arguing that if returning troops are offered a good education, they will choose college over extending their service. It's offensive to suggest that we should fix the system so that civilian life is unappealing to service members, thereby forcing them to stay in the military.
Moreover, failing to provide adequate education benefits for our returning soldiers will only dissuade a large number of our best and brightest from choosing military service over other career options. The armed forces will remain strong only if we attract the most talented Americans with a promise of a bright future after they have served our country.
Now is the time. We must come through for our veterans and ensure that they can obtain a quality education after serving our country.
President Bush has led our country into a disastrous foreign policy, and continues to ask our troops to pursue his failing strategy. The least we can do now is honor the service of those who have put their lives on the line and have courageously done everything that has been asked of them.
After you've emailed your Senators, please forward this message to everyone you know.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
P.S. Our soldiers have fought hard for our government, and it's time our government started fighting hard for them. Click here to watch VoteVets' new TV ad, and then urge your Senators to vote for the New GI Bill!
