What Politicians Think of Veterans’ Issues

by VETERANS UNITED FOR TRUTH, Inc. 

Before you read the following, pleased remember that this is not a partisan complaint. Politicians on both sides of the aisle use veterans’ issues as political footballs, using them to gain favor for themselves or to deny favor to their opponents. Nonetheless, this one deserves a response from those of us who decry the use of veterans issues for political purposes.

The veteran never seems to be the subject of the action – it is always some other item on someone’s political agenda that causes or impedes action on veterans’ issues.

The governor should hear from us that his veto power should not be used on veterans’ issues in order to just prove a point about who is the toughest guy on the block.

He could have signed this one, in spite of the defiant mood between the parties, and shown that his fight with the legislature could be overlooked when it came to an opportunity to honor veterans. California has lost 550 of the thousands who have served in the current conflicts, yet almost no veterans’ bills seem to get past his desk.

Schwarzenegger accepts veto dare
Kevin Yamamura – Sep. 9, 2009

In the latest round of Capitol brinksmanship, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill honoring Vietnam veterans and threatened to kill 72 other proposals on his desk because he said lawmakers have ignored his priority issues. The Senate withdrew all of its 43 bills from the Republican governor’s desk for temporary safekeeping. But in an act of defiance, the Assembly left on his desk a bill that would designate March 30 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."

"I dare the governor to veto this bill," said Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico, D-Newark, before the close of Tuesday’s session.

Shortly afterward, Schwarzenegger accepted the dare and vetoed Assembly Bill 264.

"Our state is facing significant challenges, including the need for comprehensive changes in our policies on water, energy, and corrections and the need to take meaningful steps to stimulate the economy and rein in the rising levels of unemployment," Schwarzenegger wrote in his veto message. "This bill does nothing to address any of these issues. I look forward to considering this measure when these other major issues are addressed."

Assemblyman Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley, a Vietnam veteran who co-authored AB 264 and wears a Marine Corps pin on his lapel, said he was "dismayed and angry."

"This is something that is long overdue and it’s something I feel very, very strongly about," Cook said. "And (a veto) just shows no respect for all those veterans."

More at: http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/2168683.html