Speaker Nancy Pelosi has put together a $178 billion War Funding bill, $70 billion more then what was asked for by President Bush, all in an attempt to defy him.  Don’t be deceived Pelosi isn’t trying to be bipartisan on this issue, as if she knows the meaning.  She is trying to setup Republicans in an election year, to either pass the bill or look like they don’t care about veterans and the economically stricken poor.   In the bill which has yet to be disclosed is not only skipping the Appropriations Committee, but on this war spending measure has included extended unemployment assistance, a withdrawal of troops from Iraq by December 2009, educational benefits for veterans, no permanent bases in Iraq, readiness requirements which includes more time at home between deployments, and want a one-year delay on cost-cutting regulations for the Medicaid health-care program for the poor. 

I’m going to answer each of these items that are reportedly on Ms. Pelosi War Funding Bill:  

Extended unemployment assistance – This is a domestic answer to the current economic situation and does not belong on a war funding bill.  The assistance proposed should be coming on an economic assistance bill or something like this.  

Withdrawal of troops from Iraq by December 2009 – Anything with set timelines for withdrawal, as the Democrats know will get vetoed by President Bush and rightfully so.  If they want to go this route they need to set attainable benchmarks that the Iraqi government has a realistic chance of fulfilling.  The recent successful surge proved how much our troops are needed there. 

Educational benefits for veterans – This is a good initiative, however President Bush has stated that he wishes to do this on a separate measure or bill.  My guess is to concentrate on the specifics of veteran benefits.  The proposed benefits are attempting to be specifically for veterans of 9/11 and after.  I have to disagree with this effort, our military members no matter what era they are from, were and are ready to give their lives for this country and all should be equally benefited.   

No permanent bases in Iraq – This is an unrealistic thing to propose, for the shear fact that who knows what the future holds.  Right or wrong, we are in Iraq now, and we need to stay until the job is finished.  

Readiness requirements, which includes more time at home between deployments – If this could happen it would be fantastic, anytime our troops have with their families should be treasured.  With this said I think the problem is manpower, without enough people for another rotation or two it’s simply not feasible.  So I make a call out to the Democrats proposing this to ask their children to enlist and do their part.   

One-year delay on cost-cutting regulations for the Medicaid health-care program – The delay is just a political game, Democrats believe they are going to have the next President in the White House and they are setting him/her up.  Another example of how much these bunch of elitist’s actually cares about the poor.  If they really did care they would try to get this done sooner then later, because any extra dollar in the pocket I believe would help the poor.  

The power plays and destruction Speaker Nancy Pelosi is bringing to government is building to an unprecedented level.  People need to pay attention and start reading into the games she is playing.  Her clear hatred of committees or as she puts it, “I will not be making appointments to a committee that is not bipartisan,” needs to be put into check.