Last week Senate Republicans, as they have done a record amount of times in the last four years, used a legislative procedure to prevent a vote on a bill that had majority support. What was most disturbing about this filibuster was not the fact that it was a jobs bill, but that it was a jobs bill, fully funded and specifically designed for veterans. Senate bill 3457, the Veterans Jobs Corp Act, would have created jobs for over 700,000 unemployed veterans, including the more than 225,000 post 9/11 vets. Only five Republican Senators joined all Democrats in voting to stop the filibuster. War hero, John McCain, was not among them. 

If the Republicans were bothered by the fact that the unemployment rate of veterans is over 11%, higher than the national average, and that the suicide rate among the military is at record heights it was not reflected in their votes or in their comments on the bill. Nor did they seem to be conscious of the economic sacrifices endured by so many who volunteered to serve their country.

One has to question the moral compass of a political party that consists of members who never miss an opportunity to wrap the flag around their shoulders, who get misty eyed when talking about the sacrifices of the military, but cannot find the will to spend $200 million to help those they eagerly sent into harms way in two unfunded wars. This from a party that has no problem in finding billions in subsidies for the most profitable corporations in the world, many which pay no taxes.  

The Republican vote on the Veterans Jobs Corp Act belies that party’s proclaimed support for anything military; it exposes the Republican Party’s core belief that there is no role for government in the lives of those less fortunate, who for whatever reason, need the support of their government.

Mitt Romney, in the now infamous forty-seven percent video, inadvertently gave us a peek into his heart, and his view of those he thinks have not taken enough personal responsibility for their lives. His distain for and dismissal of anyone who thinks they are entitled to healthcare, food, homes, jobs, whatever was obvious. In a few, stark minutes, Romney gave us his vision of America; two days later Republican Senators manifested that dark vision into reality with their vote that killed the Veterans Jobs Corp Act.  

Ron Kurowski

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