Munson defends record on support for veterans

With Iraq trailing only the economy on the list of voter worries, anyone running for office wants to be seen as supportive of veterans, especially those who return from war wounded.

So Ruth Munson, a Republican seeking re-election Nov. 4 to her 43rd District State House seat, was on the defensive after her challenger said she voted against funding for soldiers returning home.

"If you vote against it, you vote against it, and as a veteran I have a problem with that," said Keith Farnham, a Democrat seeking the seat, at a recent forum.

Munson, who is seeking her third two-year term after being appointed to the seat in December 2002, said as a lawmaker, she took an oath to support a balanced budget.

The proposed budget she voted against, Munson said, had a $2 billion deficit and she didn't want decisions on what programs to cut left to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

"I voted for a balanced budget. I kept that promise," she said. "I'm not going to vote for bad public policy."

Farnham said he believes veterans need more funding and health care options, such as the ability to choose which hospital to seek treatment.

"If we give $800 billion to fat cat corporations, we can afford to give veterans better care," he said, referring to the massive federal bailout of Wall Street.

Munson maintains she's been supportive of veterans, noting that she landed funding to help pay for the Elgin's Veterans Memorial, which will be dedicated on Veteran's Day, Nov. 11.

She branded Farnham's allegations as nothing more than "negative attacks."

The 43rd District includes Elgin, South Elgin, Carpentersville and East Dundee.