I have been thinking that progressives need to prove to America that we are the party that truly "Supports the Troops". The Republicans have perpetuated a lie that to 'support the troops', you have to support the commander-in-chief (except Clinton in Kosovo) in whatever hair-brained scheme he chooses. Meanwhile, our brave soldiers are worn out, going on extended (and further extended) tours of duty, with inadequate equipment (lacking body armor and armored vehicles), having their reputations destroyed by mercenary groups slaughtering villagers who probably associate the violence with all Americans. Then they come home to crappy hospitals, limited or no medical and psychiatric care and now, as I read on here today, no GI Bill for college. It is a travesty.
I felt that with the Democratic takeover of Congress, some of these concerns could be dealt with. But that doesn't seem to be the case. I see small attempts at individual pieces of legislation to correct some of these problems but I feel that a comprehensive act might be the best way to tackle the issues that plague our active military and the veterans here at home.
I am taking inspiration from the USA Patriot Act. It's a horrible collection of bad legislation but a great example of the type of legislation that we need to pass.
So I am calling on our progressive community to come together and promote the "Support the Troops Act 2007". What's in it? Provisions to deal with all the issues I laid out in the opening paragraph plus whatever else you all can think of. I know I am not the person to run with this.
Why do I think it will work? Because the smart part of the Patriot Act is that people who opposed it automatically (and unfairly) looked like they weren't patriots. Like they hated America. That's how BushCo cast them at least and it passed without any review.
Who would not vote to Support Our Troops?