At the opening of today's House of Representative's session, a bill was introduced to provide returning veterans with educational and health benfits based on the GI bill that did so much to help returning GI's from WWII. It would be funded by a modest 1/2 of 1% increase in income tax rates on those earning over $500,000 per year. This eminently reasonable proposal was hailed as a major step forward by both parties, and immediately passed the House and Senate with near unamimous consent. The President promised to return early from his delicate Mid East diplomatic trip to sign the bill and preside over this new Era of Good Feeling.
Rejoicing was heard throughout the land. David Broder wept. Senator Joe Lieberman strode to a microphone and proclaimed that he had been right all along, and would henceforth be known as the "Bi-Partisan" Senator Lieberman. Fortunately, tragedy was narrowly averted just before Senator Lieberman's remarks as some out of town tourists avoided being trampled as they had wandered into the most dangerous part of Washington, that is, between Senator Lieberman and a microphone. True, there were a few skunks at the picnic in the form of a handful of Democratic party officials, who were quietly heard to mutter that such accomplishments could hold the party's November gains to less than twenty House seats and only a handful extra in the Senate, but overall it was a good day for veterans and for America.
Oops. I must have forgotten my meds. Of course this didn't happen. The bill was introduced to provide benefits to those who have honorably served their Country and give them a hand up, not a hand out. It would be paid for by those who could most afford the modest increase in their tax. The Republicans voted against it, and the President has promised a veto if it should pass the Congress.
January 21, 2009 cannot come too soon.