Cross-Posted at Fred2Blue
The Free Lance-Star has endorsed Mark Warner for Senate and Rob Wittman for Congress. No surprises there. But today's issue also features a very strong op-ed piece from Carlos Del Toro.
In addition to running for the House of Delegates last year in the 88th district, Del Toro (pictured on the left with actor Kal Penn) was a leader in Hillary Clinton's VA campaign and was a Clinton Delegate representing the 1st-CD to the Democratic National Convention in Denver.
Carlos Del Toro served his country for many years in the United States Navy, and veteran's issues are one of the main things he's concerned with today:
As a 26-year veteran of the United States Navy, I have had the opportunity to serve this country under the leadership of Democrats and Republicans alike. I served at the highest levels in both Democratic and Republican administrations. In the ruins of 9/11, I commanded the construction and operation of the Navy's newest and most capable warship. I will be forever grateful that I had the opportunity to lead some of America's bravest men and women, and the privilege to serve my country.After eight years of the Bush administration, however, I have never seen our military so overstretched and poorly managed.
And it is a disgrace when America's soldiers risk their lives for their country, and that country fails to provide them adequate medical care upon their return home. This includes treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder--one of the hallmark injuries of the Iraq war. It is a discredit to this nation that we let Walter Reed Hospital fall into disrepair and provided substandard medical care to those who have served our country.
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Unfortunately, Sen. McCain has voted against increases for veterans' health care. He even opposed bipartisan legislation to update the GI Bill because he thought it was "too generous." In addition, he voted against providing automatic cost-of-living adjustments for members of our armed forces.By contrast, as a state and U.S. senator, Barack Obama has fought consistently for our interests. He was an early sponsor of the very GI Bill McCain initially opposed. As president, Obama will fully fund the VA, and he'll have a zero-tolerance policy for homelessness among our vets.