Healthcare for the Veteran: bu$h'$ Top Priority?

Here's part of pResident bu$h'$ VFW speech:

But here's what we do agree on: We agree our veterans deserve the full support of the United States government. (Applause.) That's why in this budget I submitted there's $87 billion for the veterans; it's the highest level of support ever for the veterans in American history. (Applause.) We agree that health care for our veterans is a top priority, and that's why we've increased health care spending for our veterans by 83 percent since I was sworn in as your President. (Applause.) We agree that a troop coming out of Iraq or Afghanistan deserves the best health care not only as an active duty citizen, but as a military guy, but also as a veteran -- and you're going to get the best health care we can possibly provide. (Applause.) We agree our homeless vets ought to have shelter, and that's what we're providing. In other words, we agree the veterans deserve the full support of our government and that's what you're going to get as George W. Bush as your President. (Applause.)

I understand what a contradiction is. But to have "Heckuva Job Jimmy" Nicholson come out and lobby congress for less money for Veterans is just plain despicable. In addition he threatens congress, "...that time is short to avoid disruption in veterans’ programs."
Please Jim, don't let the door hit you on the ass too soon!!

The Department of Veterans Affairs does not need more money; it just needs a budget to quickly pass Congress, VA Secretary Jim Nicholson said in a letter to key lawmakers. Nicholson, who will be leaving the VA post by Oct. 1, the start of the fiscal year, says in the letter, released Friday, that time is short to avoid disruption in veterans’ programs. Passing a funding bill by the start of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, “is essential” to avoid the problems that would result from operating under a temporary budget, where spending is capped and new programs cannot be started. “I know you agree that we owe it to veterans to complete work on time,” Nicholson said, noting that when Congress returns to work Sept. 4, there will be just 19 legislative days before the new fiscal year begins. The House already has passed its version of the veterans’ spending bill and the Senate expects to begin debate on its version Sept. 4. Nicholson asked lawmakers to resist adding more money to the $39.4 billion requested by President Bush. The Bush request, a $2.9 billion increase over the 2007 budget, is part of “a fiscally responsible path to fund the nation’s highest veterans priorities,” Nicholson said. “I am confident the top-line amount set for VA would enable the department to successfully accomplish our noble mission of serving our nation’s veterans with the quality and commitment Americans expect,” he said... The House version of the VA spending bill includes $3.8 billion more than the Bush administration requested, which prompted a warning from the White House’s Office of Management and Budget that it would veto other appropriations bills unless cuts in other programs were found to offset the increase for veterans’ programs.

OK, so my eyes are deceiving me, right! bu$h promised: "...in this budget I submitted there's $87 billion for the veterans..."
Yet, "Nicholson asked lawmakers to resist adding more money to the $39.4 billion requested by President Bush." If my math skills are still intact, that would mean the budget bu$h promised in his VFW speech has suddenly shrunk by 55%! It still sounds like the Veteran is getting the short end of the stick. And bu$h'$ rhetoric to the VFW was just that, rhetoric.

Finally, bu$h made the statement, "We agree our homeless vets ought to have shelter, and that's what we're providing."

Federal government surveys show that one-third of adult homeless men and nearly one-quarter of all homeless adults across the country have served in the armed forces. The ratio of veterans among the homeless is the same in Massachusetts, according to research by the joint legislative committee. The Bedford center is one of only two in the state run by the federal government for veterans; the other is in Brockton. Other homeless shelters -- some exclusively for veterans, others not -- are run privately or by the state.

bu$h, have you thought, that no United States Veteran should be homeless, hungry, without money or proper medical care...ever?
Nothing is more shameful for our country to endure! These brave soldiers go off to defend their country, serve their patriotic duty, be used as photo props, and have them end up sick, injured and homeless!

Shame on you bu$h, shame on you Nicholson! No amount of money will be enough!