Frank J. Mahr – 7/11/05

This page was last updated on July 11, 2005.

Why do vets praise Bush?; Frank J. Mahr; Beaver County Times; July 11, 2005.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“On the Fourth of July, President Bush gave a speech before a handpicked crowd, and anyone who didn’t agree with him was kept away.”

[RWC] How would anyone know if a person disagreed with President Bush? Can the Secret Service read minds?

“I can understand how he can fool the average person with his lies and his lack of knowledge on the key issues facing this country today (Iraq, Social Security, health care, etc.), but when it comes to some of our veterans, I am completely confused with their actions and their thinking.”

[RWC] Note Mr. Mahr presents nothing to support his claims of lies and lack of knowledge.

“After Bush’s speech, one veteran praised Bush even though more than 1,700 men and women have been killed and thousands and thousands have been wounded or crippled with more to die and be injured. Yet he was bitter because President Clinton pulled the troops out of Somalia after 18, not more than 1,700, were killed.”

[RWC] Here’s one reason for the vet to be bitter about Somalia. Osama bin Laden said after Somalia he “realized more than before that the American soldier was a paper tiger and after a few blows ran in defeat.” Among other incidents, this emboldened bin Laden and give him recruiting material.

“Another said that even though the polls and the majority of the people in this country don’t agree with Bush, he should stick to his guns and ignore the polls and the people.”

[RWC] If Mr. Mahr believes a president should allow polls to dictate policy, I guess he doesn’t understand the meaning of leadership.

“But what really puzzles me is when veterans can praise a president who doesn’t even realize the veterans in this country are not getting the care that the VA Healthcare System wants to provide because of the lack of funds.”

[RWC] A review of the 2006 federal budget shows Department of Veterans Affairs spending increased approximately 51% under President Bush (five years) vs. approximately 27% under Bill Clinton (eight years). Is it enough? I don’t know, but it’s incorrect to refer to a 51% spending increase as a “lack of funds.” Actual 2004 DVA spending was $59+ billion and total 2006 proposed DVA spending is $68+ billion.

“Yet he wants to give a billion dollars for illegal immigrants’ health care and to give $1.7 billion to fight AIDS in Africa. And all of this at a time when the VA Healthcare System is being underfunded and many veterans are being denied access for one reason or another.

“After risking their lives to keep democracy in this country, Bush and his administration want to raise the prescription and care cost for the veterans in the system while outsiders get theirs for free.”

[RWC] I believe you’ll find there’s been a “means test” to receive VA care for quite a while. In addition, I believe treatment needs to be related to a service-related injury or ailment.

Other than vets who should get whatever was promised to them, I oppose the government providing healthcare services for anyone.

“When veterans don’t know when they are getting shafted, it’s no puzzle to realize others won’t know either.”

[RWC] Perhaps most veterans don’t believe they’re getting shafted.