Who really supports our troops?

Don't let John McCain's phony rhetoric about supporting the troops fool you.

McCain, in lock step with George W. Bush, opposed the Webb/Hagel GI Bill that was passed last June. Every Democrat and most Republicans voted to pass this important piece of legislation to improve and expand veteran's benefits.

McCain opposed it from the beginning, didn't bother to show up and vote on it back in June, and then tried to take credit for it once Bush reluctantly signed it into law.

McCain has also been silent about the dramatic increase in military suicides. Foxnews.com (Not exactly a progressive news organization) reports that "Suicides this year could surpass the record rate of last year, Army officials said Thursday, urging military leaders at all levels to redouble prevention efforts for a force stretched by two wars".

At the end of August, 62 confirmed suicides were reported for active duty soldiers and guard and reserve troops. An additional 31 deaths appear to be suicides but are still being investigated.

Forcing an exhausted military into multiple deployments appears to be a significant factor with this tragic increase in suicides.

According to an analysis of military campaign contributions by the nonpartisan Center for Responsive Politics, Democrat Barack Obama has received nearly six times as much money from troops deployed overseas at the time of their contributions than has Republican John McCain. A vote for McCain clearly is not a vote in support of our brave men and women in uniform.

Greg Newlin

Naperville