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Vet's View on the Republicans' Record—No Real Respect!
WELL BUSH'S "HORSE and 'phony' show" has began for the 2006 Election cycle—and it's quite obvious the Republicans are going to continue their "Be Afraid—Be Very Afraid" campaign of conning Americans, and veterans, with fear, laced with misinformation, and more fear, and more spin, to try and continue to confuse and mislead us all.
 Bush, Cheney, and Rumsfield recently spoke at the annual conventions of the American Legion (in Salt Lake City, Utah) and to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (in Reno, Nevada). What the media did not cover well on these conventions is that they were very poorly attended, and many conventioneers sat "cross armed" and did not respond with the obligatory polite applause—and some members in attendance joined protestors outside the events in open opposition to their vet leaders currently holding office—and Bush!
But, most civilians, and many veterans, know little about the various vet groups and one has to objectively consider which vet groups make up the national veteran organizations:
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) traces their roots back to 1899, today they boast of 2.4 million members in over 9,000 posts. To be a member of the VFW, all a veteran has to do is show they actually served (in any capacity), on foreign soil and have an honorable discharge. It is true, many members served "in the rear with the gear," but, at least they left the safe soil of America and served overseas somewhere—at some time.
The VFW has been very diverse (from inception) recently, though; it has been "leaning right-wing" due to some current leaders' partisan patriotism—to many members dismay. But, many vets love the "Old" VFW—and I'm often proud of my local Post #1753.
The American Legion (The Legion) held their first caucus meeting in 1919, today they boast of 2.7 million members in some 15,000 posts. To be a member of "The Legion," all a veteran has to do is have one day on active duty and an honorable discharge—not much criteria at all! But, then, that's how you build the biggest American Veterans Service Organization—by setting the very lowest standards for membership qualification.
"The Legion" is largely considered the most "conservative" of all America's national veteran's organizations (though diversity is slowly changing their demographics).
The American Veterans (AMVETS) formed in 1944 and is open to any active duty or reserves, or national guard member currently serving, or, who has ever served honorably. AMVETS has done a fantastic job of training some of the best veteran's National Service Officers (NSO's), highly skilled specialists dedicated to helping our veterans prepare and process their VA claims through the dreaded VBA (Veterans Benefit Administration) bureaucracy. AMVETS has some 1,400 posts nation-wide.
The VFW, Legion, and AMVETS do a great deal of good volunteer and civic service work—but, all three fell short in effectively and efficiently addressing the wide variety of vet issues legislatively and the needs of our most deserving—our disabled veterans.
The Disabled American Veterans (DAV) was organized in 1920 and is made up of guys and gals that are veterans actually disabled from their military service. Granted, some were disabled in training accidents, but a greater number were disabled in combat—and a VA claim is much like workers compensation—not welfare. The DAV has a fully vested interest in keeping detailed track of statistics and solid facts—not fiction!
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) formed in 1946 to address specifically the many complex needs of paraplegics and their rights to healthcare benefits. They are a leader in paralysis and spinal cord injuries research, technological development and rehabilitation of our most severely disabled veterans. In 1990 the PVA contributed significantly to the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act—the single most effective piece of legislation protecting the civil rights of the disabled—both, veterans and civilians.
I give the DAV and the PVA my highest respect in legislative matters—whereas the PVA specializes on paraplegic issues, generally, the DAV leads the way on all others! These two vet groups do an excellent job of objectively sticking to the facts and not allowing the partisan bickering and becoming biased or partisan pawns on veteran's issues.
Go to www.dav.org for their main homepage, then, click on the tab "Legislation"—and you will find the facts on how all our elected representatives voted for, or against, our veterans—and the DAV percentage of approval rating:
For the Congressional Record on Senate Votes regarding disabled veterans—go to: www.americansforsharedsacrice.org/Senate_DAV_Votes.htm.
Harry Reid (D) gets a whopping 92%—consider that an "A"—a big thanks to Harry!
John Ensign (R) got a paltry 35%—that is an "F"—Let's vote for Jack Carter in '06!
For the Congressional Record on House of Representative Votes on disabled veterans issues—go to: www.americansforsharedsacrifice.org/House_DAV_Votes.htm.
Shelley Berkley (D) receives a perfect score of 100%—every disabled vet loves Shelley!
Shelley is my only exception to the "Vote The Bums Out" policy this year—she clearly deserves the continued support of veterans and should be re-elected overwhelmingly to represent Congressional District #1!
Jim Gibbons (R) got only 25% an "F" and, sadly, Gibbons is a vet! Yet, he got the worst rating of all our elected leaders—I'm recommending that veterans vote for Jill Derby as our new Congressional District #2 representative—and Dina Titus for Governor!
Jon Porter (R) got a pathetic 38%—another "F"—Boulder City, NV veterans take special note—vote for Tessa Hafen in Congressional District #3!
Yet, these same Nevada Republicans continue to try to tell vets, and sell the line, that they 'support the troops and veterans'? The facts prove that Ensign, Gibbons and Porter "talk-the-talk" but they do not "walk-the-walk"! These three all try to "pose as patriots" but, it just is not true! NOTE: Today, it's considered unprofessional to call liars—"liars"!
We all say we "Support The Troops" and some of us truly support the desperate needs of our veterans—but, these are goals that need to be more than just a campaign sound-bite. Vets don't need another campaign cycle where they help elect politicians that pander to us and have no sincere intention what-so-ever of even trying to keep their promises!
Bush, Cheney and Rumsfield "cut" resources in Afghanistan and "ran" erroneously into Iraq, prematurely declaring "mission accomplished" and risked some of our youngest and brightest in an "Unjust" war—grossly incompetent mistakes! It's time we all get behind our troops in the Global War On Terrorism in Afghanistan—but, "W" has been wrong on Iraq from day—and Ensign, Porter and Gibbons are wrong! It's past time for change!
According to the Congressional Quarterly: Ensign has voted in support of Bush 96% of the time; Porter has voted in support of Bush 94% of the time; and Gibbons has voted in support of Bush 98% of the time—too bad, so many of these votes were against the best interests of our troops—and against the desperate needs of our veterans!
A few examples, Ensign, Porter and Gibbons have, in fact, voted against bonuses and body armor and financial protections for our troops—and repeatedly voted to cut or under fund the VA budget, their shameful voting record demonstrates "no real respect" for vets!
So, what are YOU going to do? I'm recommending that every veteran (regardless of their party affiliation) vote for: Jack Carter; Shelley Berkley; Jill Derby; Tessa Hafen and Dina Titus this year—it's time for a change—let's "VTBO"—"Vote The Bums Out"! 
Johnathan L. Abbinett is an honorably discharged, disabled U. S. Army veteran that has served on Active Duty, in the National Guard and Army Reserves. His professional Army career spanned nearly three decades. His field assignments began as a Weapons / Anti-Tank Specialist with the 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam—later, he served as a Combat Trauma Medic with the 26th Infantry Pathfinder Platoon. He held nearly every enlisted leadership position and a variety of staff roles in Training, Operations and Intelligence.
Johnathan is a respected member of many of the national vet's services organizations. He now serves as a veteran's advocate, activist, chaplain and columnist on military and veterans issues. Currently, he is the State Chair of the Nevada Democratic Veterans & Military Families Corps Caucus. His column, "A Veteran's Voice" runs in "The Nevada Military Veterans Reporter" newspaper (that is distributed to all VA Clinics, vet group chapters and public libraries monthly), and, at www.vegascommunityonline.com under "Politically Speaking" twice a month. He can be reached at: jlabbinett@cox.net.
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