Lewis Votes Against our Vets (Among 28 Democrats who vote no to vets')

Marietta (Georgia) Daily Journal ^ | 1-20-08 | Laura Armstrong

[campfollower]

Marietta Daily Journal Lewis votes against our vets Published: 01/20/2008

By Laura Armstrong

Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards' holiday ad said this:

"One of every four homeless people on our streets is a veteran. Who speaks for them? We do. This is the season of miracles, of faith and love… So let us promise together you will never be forgotten again. We see you. We hear you. And we will speak for you."

Memo to John before he goes: Not enough Democrats hear you.

His message seemed sincere, there before the yuletide tree. But in Edwards' universe, after espousing the abandonment solution to the war in Iraq (he made a strong stand against the surge and wanted to stop funding troops on the ground), it only makes sense he'd extend a well-manicured hand to the defeated and downtrodden soldier, returning home not to parades, but to hard times.

Fortunately, Edwards' cut and run clan wasn't giving General Petraus his marching orders, and the very latest reports say our wonderful defenders have succeeded in making Baghdad 75 percent secure, compared to eight percent secure only a year ago. The UN just announced measurable progress in political and economic arenas. Five U.S. brigades are slated to return home victorious by July (that's equal to the surge number Edwards opposed). And the Iraqis plan to take over their own security by the end of the year.

Unfortunately, the party of defeat still needs a good talking to, especially the Democrats who apparently didn't see Edwards' holiday message.

You see, last Thursday, just days after this little column focused on homeless vets and the myths surrounding them, Congress was in the process of extending the nation's giant federal housing program, called HOPE VI, through the year 2015. Cost to taxpayers: $800 million per year.

The legislation as written (H.R. 3524) gave preference to a group called the "hard to house," people like convicted felons, sex offenders and drug abusers - some just weeks out of prison.

But Republicans, led by Missouri Congressman Sam Graves, caught the ridiculousness of that preference and added an amendment to the bill while on the floor, rightly calling for HUD to put veterans before criminals when deciding eligibility.

"Veterans should be at the front of the line," said Graves, a sixth-generation family farmer and relative newcomer to Washington.

Here is the shame: The vote was 372 in favor of veterans getting HUD housing preference. But 28 Democrats, including Georgia's own John Lewis, actually voted to put vets at the back of the line behind criminals.

How do they live with themselves?

Graves' office stated, "This wasn't a Republican issue or a Democrat issue, it was an American issue. We owe our daily freedoms to veterans and this is one small thing we can do to say thank you."

It's appalling that Lewis and the others couldn't vote yes for our heroes.

Will they, I wonder, use the "homeless vets" argument in the future to prop up their anti-war rhetoric?

Probably.

Because they support the troops. right?

lbarmstrong3378@comcast.net

[campfollower]

This is a follow up piece to my column last Sunday questioning those who're using hard-to-verify "homeless veteran" statistics to make their own political agendas happen. This week, I wanted to give press to the 28 Dems who think vets should wait longer for housing than criminals. Fortunately, GOP amendment passed, giving vets preferred status.

[The Forgotten Man]

So typical of the active socialists here in AMERICA, they loathe the military.....

[PeteB570]

To them just asking is proof.

While there is the occasional vet here and there that has problems they are few and far between.

Of course to the press all vets are crazed killers just waiting to explode and one paycheck from the street.

[Dr. Bogus Pachysandra]

I just got a letter asking for donations for homeless vets. Is it legit?

[PeteB570]

Take a look in here and check their rating.

http://charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?keyword_list=Veterans&Submit2=GO&bay=search.results

Start going over 30% in marketing, admin and CEO pay and it gets to be questionable.

[RetiredArmy]

Marxist Dimocrats do not, have not ever, cared about the military or veterans. I fully, FULLY expect them to start cutting the military and down sizing immediately upon assuming power. They will keep just enough token force to keep them in power. The rest of us are gone.

[John D]

How did cut and run Paul vote?

[Picklezz]

Edwards: "This is the season of miracles, of faith and love…"

I didn't know it was seasonal. Then what about the rest of the year John? You twit.