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John McCain has been a bit of a hero to me since I learned of his sacrifice in a Hanoi POW camp. I followed his successful political career and decided that John is the one that knows about the sacrifices that are so much a part of military service and would naturally support veterans. Recently I learned that my assumptions may be false.

McCain says: “I’ve received every award from every major veteran’s organization in America. The reason why I have a perfect voting record from organizations like the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and all the other veterans service organizations is because of my support of them.”

I checked with the veterans groups and: McCain received a grade of D from the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America and a 20 percent vote rating from the Disabled Veterans of America; Vietnam Veterans of America noted McCain has “voted against us” in 15 “key votes.” As for the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars — with whom McCain claims to have a “perfect voting record” — both groups vigorously supported Sen. Jim Webb’s (D-VA) GI Bill that McCain tirelessly opposed and on which he skipped the vote.

So dear John please tell me that the following record is not true*.

Aug, 01 – McCain voted against $650M for medical care for veterans.

Apr, 03 – McCain voted to “table” an action to provide $1B for National Guard and Reserve equipment, including: helmets, tents, bullet- proof inserts, and tactical vests. The Guard and Reserve provide about half of our combat troops in Iraq.

Oct, 03 – McCain voted to “table” and amendment to provide $320M for safety equipment for our troops in Iraq.

Mar 04 – McCain voted against $1.8 B for the Veterans Administration. The VA has responsibility for caring for our wounded troops.

Mar 06 – McCain voted against $1.5B for the Veterans Administration

Apr 06 – McCain was 1 of only 13 Senators voting against $430M for VA outpatient care and medical treatment for veterans.

May 06 – McCain voted against an amendment to provide $20M for VA health facilities.

Sep 07, McCain voted against the Webb amendment calling for adequate rest between deployments (combat troops).

McCain also missed over a dozen more bills for Iraq support.

John McCain is our most visible military veteran. If veterans can not depend upon him as Senator, what can we expect if he becomes President.

Say it isn’t so!      

* 1st source: Veterans for Common Sense (checked against voting records)