Cross posted at www.vetvoice.com
Sometimes, in the rough and tumble of day-to-day politics, we forget how touching John McCain's story really is. Sure, parts of it are embellished, there's no denying that, but he truly is a man with a story worth admiring. To be honest, there's a part of me that wishes I could vote for him because of that story. Of course, I won't. For so many reasons, John McCain is the wrong man for the job of president, but we should remember that his story truly is worth hearing. And there are many who will be convinced by it. He's a veteran who served with honor, and it's just too bad that I can't support him.
As a veteran, I like to support veterans. That's why votevetsis a group that is so important to me. Their work electing veterans is absolutely irreplaceable. I honestly feel like the experience of having served in the armed forces makes someone more qualified to serve in our nation's government. It's too bad that I'm going to have to vote for the non-veteran in this race.
The fact is that, while he may be a veteran like me, he doesn't support the things that are important to me. For God's sake, he doesn't even want to entertain the idea of leaving Iraq. Occasionally I'll hear him reference us leaving with “honor,” whatever he means by that, but it sounds an awful lot like Nixon's “secret plan” too me. I've spent a total of 19 months in Iraq, coming back from my latest deployment less then a year ago, and I can tell you that it's time to withderaw. Before John McCain says he's supporting service members with his stance on Iraq, I think he should talk to some actual Iraq veterans.
And call me selfish, but I think that after a soldier has fought for his or her country, that soldier should know that all of his or her medical needs will be taken care of. Of course for conservatives like McCain, the missiles are more important than the soldiers, and so he can vote against increasing medical benefits for soldiers. This system, which leaves many returning service members without medical benefits for months and years, clearly needs reformed. Too bad the veteran on the ticket has shown that he won't be reforming the VA system if he gets elected.
And then there's educational benefits. I am incredibly thankful for the improved GI bill. I am now confident that, in exchange for six years of active service, I can be will be able to afford an education. I am greatfull to all of the activists who pushed the bill. I am greatfull to Senator Webb for introducing the bill. I am greatfull to all of the Congress members and Senators who voted for the bill. Unfortunately, no one in that list is named John McCain. John McCain, by campaigning against the GI Bill, you actively campaigned against my interests. You're a veteran, and I like to support veterans, but I just can't support you.
The fact is, I'm a little surprised at how little support John McCain's given to veterans issues. It's tough too find a veterans group that has rated him very highly. I suppose that when you have enough money you see veterans benefits as irrelevant. Well, I didn't marry a beer heirous, and those veterans benefits are now, and will continue to be, a big help to me. If you want my support, you've got to support veteran's benefits, and the veteran on this ticket, for reasons I just don't understand, has actually fought against those very benefits.
All in all, I am proud to support Barack Obama. And it's not just because he supports veterans. On issues after issue, from healthcare to the economy to the war in Iraq, Obama's position is better then McCain's position. Obama is going to be an excellent president, and I look forward to voting for him in the general. It's just too bad that the veteran on the ballot is someone that it would be impossible for me to vote for.