Opinion: Broken Bodies, Broken Promises

This one really makes me angry. The chicken hawks in Washington, the same band of spineless wimps that didn't put their hide on the line when their country called ... and yet enjoy world-class health care; can't do the same for our Veterans, the ones that have sacrificed the most. I'm not saying there aren't any individuals in Congress, the White House or our vast bureaucracies that did serve, and in some cases were wounded. What I'm saying as that there are too many armchair generals in our nation's capital that would not put themselves or their families at risk, but gladly send other's sons and daughters in harm's way; yet do nothing to honor their sacrifice.

Of course, I'm disappointed in the ones that did make the sacrifice and have not fought hard enough for those that followed. They know better than anyone else how poorly we take care of our Veterans. The horror stories of inadequate care, crumbling facilities and general disdain for the well-being of our war-wounded goes back to the Vietnam Era; and probably before that dismal time. Yet it is the callousness of the ones that never experienced combat that grates me the most. Our Vice-President, who does not do that title justice; gladly receives the best medical attention after a life of steak and three-martini lunches. Meanwhile, G.I. Joe and Jane wait for months to receive much needed consultations; often getting treatment that is too little - too late.

What hurts the most is that these Veterans, steadfast and loyal to the end; continue to serve proudly - and honorably - while being slapped in the face time and time again by our ungrateful "leaders". They sit comfortably in their plush taxpayer-funded offices, while some of the nation's best men and women continue to pay the price.

Opinion: More of the same

The democrats, riding a wave of anti-war sentiment; took control of both houses of Congress. Left-leaning media pundits immediately started celebrating the victorious return of "Congress for the People, by the People". So ... by now we should have an exit strategy for Iraq, a solution to the energy problem and a plan for a balanced budget. Let me see, um - no, nope and not just yet - sorry but apparently we can't really get anything done. "It's bi-partisanship", say the old Democrat hands. I say it's another stab in the back for voters.

I really have to wonder if there's any real difference between an entrenched Republican or Democrat in either the House or the Senate. So far the only typically Democrat pronouncement we've heard is "We're going to have to raise taxes". Of course, unlike the wealthy political donors supporting one or both sides of the aisle; most of us cannot enjoy the benefits of corporate welfare, tax shelters and capital concealment enjoyed by the "top 1%". I don't know about you - but to me this looks like more of the same.