What Has Pelosi Accomplished As House Speaker?
What has the Democratic congress led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority leader Harry Reid (D-NV) accomplished since the Democrats took over control of Congress? Maybe it's just me. However, I can tell you that my life has not changed for the better since they came into power. It's gotten to the point that it does not matter whether the Democrats or the Republicans are in charge of the politics because nothing ever changes.
If Pelosi and Reid want to impress me then they can get to work and pass the 21st Century GI Bill sponsored by Senator James Webb (D-VA). If enacted this legislation would expand the educational benefits available to all members of the military, including activated reservists and the National Guard. Most importantly, the legislation would cover the full cost of most the expensive in-state public school that a member of the military wanted to attend.
I have a problem with any Senator or Representative, regardless of their party affiliation, who cannot support this important legislation. Newsweek columnist, Anna Quindlen wrote a very eloquent column about why this bill should be enacted. Quindlen concluded her column with the following:
"Offering these men and women a college education is the least we can do. It's not free; they've already paid, in Fallujah and Kabul. If Congress wants an economic-stimulus package, this is a great one. A Topeka, Kans., lawyer and national commander of the American Legion, Harry Colmery, was the architect of the original GI Bill. He asked a question that is as resonant today as it was then: "If we can spend 200 to 300 billion dollars to teach our men and women to kill, why quibble over a billion or so to help them to have the opportunity to earn economic independence and to enjoy the fruits of freedom?"
Enacting this legislation is the right thing to do and the moral thing to do. However, I was surprised and disappointed that Senator John McCain had yet to sign up as a co-sponsor of the bill. As Quindlen pointed out, McCain was a beneficiary of the old GI bill. In my opinion, McCain should have his name on the bill like the other veterans of past wars.
Passage of this legislation should be of the most importance to Pelosi, Reid, and the next President. This is the kind of legislation that would have a positive impact on communities across the country. Its passage would also tell the members of the military who put their lives on the line on a daily basis that their country is willing to invest in them as soon as they return home.
