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Opening Arguments

Boosting the GI Bill

Not sure how I feel about this:

Congressional Democrats are pushing what could become the most dramatic expansion of college aid for military veterans since World War II, with a bill they hope will buoy them this election season and become an albatross for Republicans.

Pitched by the Democrats is a plan that would essentially guarantee a full-ride scholarship to any in-state public university, along with a monthly housing stipend, for individuals  who serve the military for at least three years.

When it was first enacted, the GI Bill gave World War II vets a full-ride scholarship, but since then it's been something less. It helped me finish college, but my wife also worked, and we stayed rent-free in an apartment owned by my inlaws. I'm not worried, as John McCain apparently is, in the increased benefit causing too many to quit the military too soon; it might also attract more people to the military. But the cost is substantial -- yeah, yeah, I know, the war is costlier.

What about keeping the benefit as is for most veterans, but increasing it for those who actually served in a war zone?

Comments

Bob G.
Tue, 05/13/2008 - 1:32pm

Works for ME, Leo, but does that also include where one currently RESIDES (on the south side, which is fast becoming a war zone)???
Things that make you go "Hmmm..."

;)

B.G.
(where my driveway is my LZ, & I need a door gunner)

Harl Delos
Tue, 05/13/2008 - 8:09pm

Technically, we haven't been at war for over 60 years, so it'd be pretty cheap to increase benefits for those who actually served in a war zone.

If you want to include non-war wars, then would war zones include the Beltway because of the snipers, Somerset County PA because of the plane crash, and Oklahoma City because of the Murrah building?

Bob G.
Wed, 05/14/2008 - 7:57am

...And never forget the SOUTH side of CHICAGO, Harl!

B.G.

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