Us versus Them

A thought on the US House vote today on the Iraq Supplemental (the first Iraq supplemental spending bill with the Demcorats in the majority):

Over the past four years I have called upon my members of congress to vote against these so called Emergency Supplementals. The typical response has been (paraphrasing), 'I wish I could but, you know, the Republicans are the majority and this is the only bill they will allow us to vote on. I just can't bring myself to vote against funds for the troops.'

It didn't matter what else was included in the bill or what was eliminated - like adequate money for veterans care.

To be sure, when any member of the Democratic side balked at voting for one of these blank checks, the Republicans were quick to go to the media to denounce that member for not supporting the troops.

Today all but two Republican members of the US House voted to deny funds to our troops in the field. Now they will say that 'there were too many strings attached to the money.' They will say that 'we could not live with the language calling for an ultimate withdrawal of our troops.' Too bad! In the end; after the debate, 208 Republicans voted AGAINST funding for the troops on the ground.

The next time you hear anyone say that the Democrats do not support the troops, will you speak loudly until every media outlet in the country understands that, regardless of any other language in the Iraq Supplemental, the Republicans voted "No" to funding the troops in the field; providing funds for medical care upon their return; providing funds to ensure that our troops would have the equipment neccessary to keep them safe and allow them to do their jobs? Will you be sure that the facts get out? Will you ensure that they know 208 Republicans voted AGAINST funding for the troops on the ground?

You shouldn't have to....

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue