PAM MEISTER: OUR TROOPS GET SHAFTED WHILE FUNDS ARE DIVERTED

Posted By on October 17th, 2009

October 16, 2009

Exclusive: Troops Shafted Again as Military Funds are Diverted for Pet Congressional Projects
Pam Meister

Just when it seemed that things in Washington couldn’t get any crazier, we hear that the despicable earmarking process has sunk to a new low.

How many times have you heard that liberals may disagree with the mission, but they always care about the troops?

Remember that when you read reports like this one:

Senators diverted $2.6 billion in funds in a defense spending bill to pet projects largely at the expense of accounts that pay for fuel, ammunition and training for U.S. troops, including those fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to an analysis.

Among the 778 such projects, known as earmarks, packed into the bill: $25 million for a new World War II museum at the University of New Orleans and $20 million to launch an educational institute named after the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Massachusetts Democrat.

You read right: Fuel, ammo and training for U.S. troops in the field are secondary to the more pressing needs such as erecting an educational institute named after one of their own.

Just a few years ago, the Bush administration was blamed by some in Congress for troops in Iraq and Afghanistan having inadequate body armor. Yet here they are today, diverting much-needed funds from those same troops in the field to suck up to voters at home – not to mention honoring their pal, the late Ted Kennedy.

It’s ironic, too, that a World War II museum will receive $25 million. I’m all for remembering the heroism of our soldiers in years past, but not at the expense of soldiers in the field today. I imagine the WWII vets would probably feel the same way.

American soldiers who put their lives on the line for the protection and freedom of all Americans should not be made into political pawns. Unfortunately, during the previous administration, they were. But now that things in Washington are different, the plight of our soldiers is once again pushed to the sideline as our elected “leaders” rush to feed at the taxpayer trough.

Speaking of our soldiers and their sacrifices, it’s also amazing to me that the media’s eagerness to photograph the caskets of fallen soldiers as they come home for burial has vastly diminished with the new direction in Washington. Suddenly, the “heroes” who were “essentially snuck back into the country under the cover of night so no one can see that their casket has arrived” have become back page news, if they make the news at all.

However, some of our elected representatives have the time to worry about whether radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh – a private citizen – should become a part-owner of an NFL football team, taking up precious time on the House floor to pontificate on this important matter of state.

But don’t worry. The new administration has the troops’ backs. A decision about a surge in Afghanistan will be made in “the coming weeks.”

Let’s hope that whatever that decision is, there’s some money left over after this little Congressional spending spree to pay for it.

Pam Meister is the editor of FamilySecurityMatters.org.

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