A new era for the GI Bill and American Vets

[bblight]

Gleaned from Veterans for Common Sense:
July 4, 2008, San Francisco, CA - You could hear the joy in Patrick Campbell's voice as he reflected on U.S. President George W. Bush's signing Monday of a new GI Bill of Rights for veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
"It's hard to actually picture that it's done," the legislative director of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America told IPS. "There are veterans all across this country and in Iraq and Afghanistan who are dreaming bigger dreams now. When we were in Iraq we were always talking about what we were going to do when we got home and I know that now they're over there thinking 'I can go to any college I want to now. I can go to the best school I can get into not just the school that I can afford'."
The new law, which is modeled on the widely popular GI Bill available to soldiers returning from World War II, guarantees Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans, and any U.S. citizen who serves in the military for at least three years, a full scholarship at any in-state public university, along with a monthly housing stipend and a stipend for books and materials. It more than doubled the value of education benefits from 40,000 to 90,000 dollars.

This benefit will pay for itself many times over.

Many of us owe our present success directly to the opportunities the GI Bill provided us - from VA guaranteed home loans to education benefits, the GI Bill is a gold mine to those who take advantage of it.

My thanks to all parties in the government who helped make this happen.

 

[bblight]

Just another entitlement program that we clearly can't afford.

You couldn't be farther from the truth.

Those education benefits are paid back several fold in income taxes while the home loan helps to keep the home market afloat.

The GI Bill is has an ROI.

 

[barman]

Typical Massachusetts guy....Derides government subsidies when aimed at helping other people, but embraces government subsidies when it's something which he himself is cashing on.

I personally find the 2008 version of the "GI BILL" to be wholly insulting to the tens of millions of non-military Americans who could also benefit from assistance on tuition, books and student housing.

The government of Iraq should be the one paying such subsidies for those US citizens who have logged years providing mercenary service on behalf of Iraq.

 

[Spytheweb]

Just another entitlement program that we clearly can't afford.

Going to Afgah and Iraq is a entitlement that the soldiers can't afford, but they go anyway.

President Bush was against this as was McCain, but it was veto proof, if Bush signed it or not it would have become law.

 

[Spytheweb]

Typical Massachusetts guy....Derides government subsidies when aimed at helping other people, but embraces government subsidies when it's something which he himself is cashing on.

I personally find the 2008 version of the "GI BILL" to be wholly insulting to the tens of millions of non-military Americans who could also benefit from assistance on tuition, books and student housing.

The government of Iraq should be the one paying such subsidies for those US citizens who have logged years providing mercenary service on behalf of Iraq.

I'am with you, let's do like Danmark where all education is free for everyone, including college and everyone has healthcare. Danmark, they work 37 and a half hours a week and get 5 weeks of vacation a year. Where the happiest people on earth live.

But since we don't have that, giving the GI's something is a start.

 

[barman]

I'am with you, let's do like Danmark where all education is free for everyone, including college and everyone has healthcare. Danmark, they work 37 and a half hours a week and get 5 weeks of vacation a year. Where the happiest people on earth live.

But since we don't have that, giving the GI's something is a start.

You read me right on this one STW. I honestly have no problem providing any of my fellow man to be given easier access to education which can lead to their having a better life.

My earlier post was a teasing poke at forum friend BBLIGHT who is capable of running up 500+ words on how wrong it would be to provide public subsidy for education costs to most anyone.