New G.I. Bill Proposes 'Patriot Tax'

[Penn]

NPR
New G.I. Bill Proposes 'Patriot Tax'
By Brian Naylor
Audio for this story will be available at approx. 7:00 p.m. ET
All Things Considered, May 15, 2008 • Congressional Democrats are pushing forward with plans for a new G.I. Bill to give veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan money to go to college for four years. House Democrats want to pay for it with what they've dubbed a "patriot tax" on people earning more than $500,000. In the Senate, one Republican who notably isn't on board is John McCain, a Vietnam veteran who says the proposal is too expensive and could encourage service members to leave the military.

I’ve always been of the opinion that the upper middle class and above have never been represented in notable numbers in the armed forces. What should be add to that bill is a condition that all serving members of both houses and the executive branch have “skin in the game” a first born, in line units, should they send/declare war and put our forces in harms way. I would imagine it would give them some pause. It also strikes me that denying an educational opportunity to a soldier, or to anyone for that matter, definitely limits social mobility.
And Mc Cain’s response surprises me.

[x-factor]

As I understand it...McCain's position (similar to the Pentagon's position according to what I heard of Gates' press conference on the radio) is that the qualification term being only 3 years of active service encourages people to get out of the service quickly and will hurt the all-volunteer force. Gates said DoD wants a soldier to have to re-enlist at least one time in order to be eligible for full benefits.

[Pete]

There are two basic bills, of course, kicking around Washington.

In a nut shell the D's bill will pay more faster, hence the military's reluctance to it. The R's pays less and you have to work harder to get it but it has transfer "points" where you can kick benefits over to your family.

In the real small nut shell it's election time.

How much is your vote worth to you?

[x-factor]

They need to stop the BS and do some basic compromising. This is so stupidly simple.

Democrat benefits + Democrat tax to pay for it (or equal offsets elsewhere in the budget) + Republican length of service + Republican transfer points = Best bill possible for country

Sadly, both sides care more about having the issue for a cudgel in the election season than actually making productive policy.

[kgoerz]

Keeping in mind the length of the Iraq War. You have to figure just about everyone over there enlisted or reenlisted knowing they would be in the fight. Not giving these War time volunteers something is a crime. Especially since we hand out so much to people who do nothing. I agree with the Rep. You need to finish at least one reenlistment or four years ....etc. The more time you do the more you get. It amazes me to this day that we are fighting two Wars with an all volunteer Military...Thats outstanding.