I'm Mike Fitzsimmons with commentary on 920- KXLY

This week, Senate Democrats blocked a bill by John McCain that would have increased college aid for military veterans. They blocked it because, although McCain's bill would increase military stipends by 400-dollars over the current level, Democrats want to guarantee a full scholarship to any public, in-state university after someone serves three years in the military ... a generosity that will cost tens of billions of dollars. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid called McCain's proposal "a direct slap in the face of our nation's finest and bravest." Lest you think that Senate Democrats are being benevolent, consider that they aren't offering this substantial benefit because they genuinely want to honor men and women in uniform. They are making this bombastic gesture because they know it is too expensive, and it will compromise Republicans right before this fall's Congressional elections.

Republicans are trying to convince the voters back home that they realize they lost their way, and that's why they were booted out in 2006. Now, if they support or oppose the clever Democratic GI Bill plan, they are facing a lose/lose situation. Either they continue a pattern of unruly spending for which the Democrats can take them to task, or they oppose a substantial benefit for those who have served in the military, for which the Democrats can take them to task.

The Pentagon says that the large higher education benefit that Democrats want to bestow, will create a troop retention problem. After so short a time in military service, once qualified for the generous GI Bill, the military brass says it become very difficult to retain troops when their enlistment periods expire. Democrats don't care about this issue, they're too busy licking their chops looking to embarrass Senate Republicans. Make no mistake, the political derby called campaign 2008 is in full bloom.

With commentary on 920 - KXLY, I'm Mike Fitzsimmons ...