|
(As you can see, I've created a new username for McMurrey posts. Moving on, since there has been a call for positive posts about Mr. McMurrey, I've decided to cross-post some of the policy papers/columns that we've already posted on our campaign blog. The one that follows can be found here. And, yes, the first-person referents are Ray McMurrey. --William Pate)
Our men and women serving in the United States military are the best trained and most dedicated in the world. For their service, they deserve the best we can offer them in pay and post-combat health care. Currently, American troops are under-served in both areas.
We have all heard the stories of military personnel relying on food stamps when purchasing goods in their base or post commissaries. This is unacceptable. Those who defend our freedom should not have to rely on food stamps to support their families. Like teachers, service members are among the most respected people in the United States. And, like teachers, they are severely underpaid. It is time we resolved this issue.
The Bush administration recently reduced the proposed pay raise for American military personnel. This is atrocious on its face.
Should I be elected to the United States Senate, I will propose a 10 percent increase in pay for those serving in the United States military - especially enlisted soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. We have neglected providing those who protect our freedom with a living wage. Despite the benefits that come with serving in the military, costs have skyrocketed and service members deserve a pay hike that recognizes their sacrifices and service.
As we have recently witnessed with the Walter Reed Medical Center scandal, it is time we reformed and increased appropriations to the Veteran's Administration. Not long before it was disclosed that the service and accommodations at Walter Reed were substandard, the Bush administration had proposed freezing the VA's budget.
Troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are surviving wounds that, in previous wars, would have resulted in death. This is a great achievement on the part of military health care. But it is incumbent that we follow-up on these achievements with an improved VA medical system.
We must ensure that troops returning from the Middle East have access to immediate and quality health care for both their physical and mental wounds. Right now and for the foreseeable future, soldiers are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan with severe physical, emotional and mental wounds. Only by increasing the budget for the VA and exercising increased oversight of the system can we ensure that America's heroes are provided the health care they deserve.
American military personnel are valuable assets to our country through their leadership, experience and sacrifice. They deserve the thanks of our nation. But that thanks cannot be merely verbal. We must show them that we appreciate their service by making certain they are adequately compensated and receive the treatment they deserve when they return from combat. Anything less is a disservice to those who have dedicated their lives in service of our nation's defense.
Should I be elected Texas' U.S. Senator, I will support an increase in military pay and VA budgets. Any candidate who cannot promise you this does not deserve to serve our state - and our nation - in the U.S. Senate.
|
