Letters to the Editor

Politicians won't address VA problems

The fact that Donna Shalala and Bob Dole had to go to the White House and demand that George Bush make the Veterans Administration be more responsive to the needs of our returning wounded soldiers from Iraq has to be one of the most embarrassing moments in the history of this country.

To have to approach the cowboy who landed, in flight suit, on an aircraft carrier and declared, "Mission Accomplished," when the war was just getting started, had to be a bitter pill for Bob Dole to swallow.

I voted for this clown because the alternative, John Kerry, was worse. It is a shame that the American people had to choose between Alfred E. Newman and Jane Fonda.

I have a grandson who recently enlisted in the Marines, and I am so proud of him. He has expressed a love of this country and a desire to serve it. I wish George Bush cared half as much about him as I do.

I am so disappointed in Rep. John Spratt and Sens. Lindsey Graham and Jim DeMint. The problems with the VA have been known for a long time, yet the Democrats -- Spratt -- won't try and solve the problem because it will be a great political football to kick around in 2008, and the Republicans -- Graham and DeMint -- will defend Bush at any cost. A pox on both of their houses.

When politics becomes more important than the care and health of the kids who defend our country and our way of life, it is time to clean house.

When Spratt, Graham and DeMint run again, please remember their silence on this tragic situation.

I am 64 years old, and I served in the Air Force from 1964 to 1967. I'm proud to be a veteran. I don't need any help or medical assistance, yet many of my comrades do. The fact that they are getting little or no care is repulsive to me.

Shame on every politician, Democrat or Republican, in Washington.

Tal Payne

Great Falls

This story was originally published July 26, 2007 at 11:48 PM with the headline "Letters to the Editor."