Bush has abused our troops

For the past five years, our commander in chief, who likes to land on carriers and has recently referred to himself as “the decider guy” and “the commander guy,” has taken every photo-op he could to pose with healthy troops. He and his draft-dodging vice president, who reportedly made $70 million from his two wars, like to portray themselves as the champion of the troops.

Over 41,000 Army, 7,000 Marines and 7,000 Navy men and women have meanwhile been hidden away at Walter Reed and other places. Only 2.7 per cent of these Marines and just over 4 percent of the Army and Navy troops, including thousands with permanent and severe injuries, have been given over 30 percent disabilities, which would qualify them for righteous benefits. Congress has allowed this atrocity to happen under the tight fist of this administration through the Pentagon rather than letting our excellent Veterans Affairs do its job and really help the gallant troops.

As a former leading Republican chairman in Texas, I say to every Republican in this county: Are you happy with your Commander in Chief, who, with his rubber-stamp Congress until the last election, has doubled our national debt and abused our great young people who are serving with courage?

Jesse Frank Ford