Article: Veteran's Plea to Fight to Take Back America

As I said, the Veteran Bill of Rights of Claire McCaskill just makes common sense. You cannot on one hand tell our men and women they are serving a grateful nation, and on the other slash their benefits, their rights, and their opportunity to enjoy the way of life they have provided all of us by their service. It is not only our obligation as veterans of past wars to fight for our sons and daughters of the standing military by voting out the Jim Talents, it is also our duty to vote in people like Claire McCaskill. To me, the choice is simple; do we support those who represent the grassroots of America and the men and women who serve, or the servants of the wealthy?

There is a real danger that Jim Talent could be reelected. I do not use the word danger lightly. His reelection would mean the continuation of the Bush rubber stamp. The stamp that has led us to the brink of World War lll. The stamp that continues to fill the pockets of the rich, while stealing from the poor. The stamp that endorses without question (94% of the time) the failed policies of George W. Bush and his renegade administration. The stamp that supports the arrogance of an administration that thumbs its nose at the law of our land as well as international law and treaties that have been in place for the protection of our service men and women.

We, as veterans of this great nation, cannot afford to take the chance that we will continue to be led by George Bush's republican Senate and Congress for two more years. Where will the death toll in his illegal war stand by then? Will we be at war with Iran? Will World War 111 become a reality? Will the deficit continue to cripple is and the generations of ours that follow? These are grave questions and all indications lead to the answers we would rather not hear if we stand idly by and simply hope that November will change the disastrous course this administration has had upon us and the world.

Fact: On March 16, 2006, Senate Democrats introduced Amendment 3141 which would appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 and 2008 through 2011. The purpose of this amendment was to provide an assured stream of funding for veteran's health care that would take into account annual changes in the veteran population and inflation. This bill would have been paid for by restoring the pre-2001 top rate for income ever $1 million, closing corporate loopholes and delaying tax cuts for the wealthy. The bill was defeated by a vote along party lines. Nay votes 53 Republicans, 1 Democrat, Yea Votes, 44 Democrats, 2 Republicans.

This vote tells me that while our sons and daughters are facing the horrors of war and returning home traumatized by physical and emotional injury, our grateful Senators still put the interest of the wealthy ahead of the needs of the men and women they have sent into harm's way. To me this is reprehensible! This is just plain wrong! This needs to be changed!!! This is why Senator Talent (and others like him across the United States) must go. It is morally wrong to wrap yourself in the Flag in public view and then go into the Senate Chambers and vote to make the rich even richer, and ignore the plight of the men and women you send to war.

You and I can begin our physical support of Claire McCaskill on Tuesday, September 19th at 12:30 pm when General Wesley Clark will be at the American Legion Post 103 (3212 Sutton Blvd. Maplewood, Mo 63143) to speak in support of her. I realize this is during the week and during normal working hours for most. Yet it is so important for us to show up in maximum numbers to let Missourians and the country know we are fed up and want change in November.

With all respect and love,

Kenny (Hawk) Peters

Kenny Peters is a Marine who spent 5 1/2 months at the siege of Khe Sahn. He lost an eye and sustained several other injuries thanks to the service he provided to his country.

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