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Return to Article: Obama emphasizes VA role in caring for vets

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  You can bet McSame is never going to need the Access Card. Not with seven...or is it eight or maybe twelve homes. Cindy's taking good care of him. McSame forgot where he came from a long time ago and never misses an opportunity to screw the vet. You can bet he'll do the same to the federal employee if we give him the chance.

  TJK Posted August 26, 2008 9:51 PM
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  Check on how Obama voted previously on Veteran issues before you hand him the banner!

  American Taxpayer Posted August 26, 2008 9:41 AM
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  He will say anything to get elected.

  FJ Posted August 21, 2008 3:14 PM
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  He is just like every other politician, they'll emphasize anything if it helpd them get elected!

  Tom Posted August 21, 2008 12:24 PM
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  I for one like the idea of a Health Care Access Card! For the veteran who is far from a VA medical center or clinic the Access Card is their ticket to health care. So how do we get away from possibly losing our VA medical system? More veterans need to run for Congress. Then, besides the republican caucus, democratic caucus, the black caucus and women's caucus we would also have a veteran's caucus and the power of the vote is a powerful thing!

  Mark Butler Posted August 21, 2008 12:20 PM
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  Should be entitled "Obama Buys Votes with Deep Pockets of Promises."

  TDK Posted August 20, 2008 2:54 PM
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  Finally, a candidate who understands the contribution that we made...

  I was outraged when I registered for VA, and have NEVER used them since. During the registration interview, I was asked "How much do you make in annual income?", "How much money do you have in the bank?", "What debts do you owe?", "How much does your spouse make in annual income?", "What is the value of all the property you own?" Albeit intrusive, I thought it was merely the usual nosiness of the government. Never in my life did I consider that my 20 years of active duty military service would not qualify me for VA medical support. At the time, my only income was my retirement and a part time job ($12K) while I went to college full time on the GI bill. I was even quite proud that I, unlike many of my co-retirees, had made it to retirement without being disabled. I came to regret that later.

  When the questions finished, I asked, "So what does all that mean?" I was shocked to hear "That puts you in the 50% bracket." "And what does that mean?" I responded warily. "You have a minimum annual threshold of $750 you must pay before you receive any financial support. After that, you must pay at least 50% of all charges; oh, and that co-pay will go up as your income increases."

  Now that may not seem like much now, but almost 2 decades ago facing a tenuous new career; house, car, utility, and college payments for my kid; all while I was going to school full time and working part time to keep a roof over our heads, well that was a head-shot I never saw coming. And, yes, I was recruited and enlisted specifically due the carrot of life-time medical care for my family and I; that being the clincher for someone with an exceptional family member requiring extensive and multiple surgeries.

  Well, the public and Skeeter may rest assured that I, and many of my fellow retirees, have not cost them one red dime due to medical care in the time since our retirements. And until this story, it would have been a cold day in... Ah, never mind. The impact will be lost on him and his ilk. Thank you reassuring my thoughts and for cementing my choice.

  Tip off Posted August 20, 2008 10:30 AM
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  I think thou protests too much. Obama's co worker while in Chicago was a leader of the Weatherman Underground and a felon. Under most circumstance Obama would not even qualify for a "rumor" security clearance. As the dirt comes out Obama is up to his ears in it and that's saying a lot

  Dan ketter Posted August 20, 2008 10:26 AM
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  How did I miss the article on McCain when he spoke at the VFW convention. Article qualifies as an "in kind" contribution to the Obama campaign. I had to read the authors name twice, content of article sounds more like it was written by Andrea Mitchell than an objective author.

  cwm Posted August 20, 2008 9:13 AM
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  No matter who gets elected, it is about time that someone will fight for our veterans. It is a shame that we can send our veterans to fight for our freedom and then categorize them when they return because they make too much money or do not have a service-connected disability to qualify for treatment at a Veterans Hospital. Every veteran has made a sacrifice for us whether or not they received an injury during their tour of duty, so why should we punish them if they are successful in life. I am sick and tired of the double standards that the government place on our veterans. Freedom is not free and we should take care of all the men and women that have sacrificed for us to have our freedom.

  Wood Posted August 20, 2008 9:06 AM
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  It's time to tell it like it is. Senator Obama is too soft on McCain. I can't believe Obama spoke to the VFW and did not mention McCain's dismal voting record when it came to Veterans affairs. Obama should hit hard on veterans benefits like mental evaluations and care when a service person returns from the battlefield or at least before they are released from service. Better and prompt administration processes in order to receive benefits. Assignment of a mentor to help evaluate vets needs and provide a fastrack solution to administrative or medical solutions.

  Tom Bird Posted August 19, 2008 11:09 PM