I try my best to keep my politics separate from everything else.  But this post is going to be about both politics AND education (or lack thereof).  I just could not help myself.  It takes a lot to get me fired up enough to even discuss politics/government/etc…

As we can all attest, the cost of higher education is not decreasing.  Any help we can get is certainly appreciated, and that’s why a lot of people join the military.  As hard as I try, it’s sometimes difficult to support the actions of our government.  One might think (and hope) that the government would do every thing within reason to help out those brave men and women who serve on the battlefield. When they fail at that, it’s not a pretty situation. When the slap in the face is so blatantly obvious, it angers me to no end.

"When they came home from Iraq, 2,600 members of the Minnesota National Guard had been deployed longer than any other ground combat unit. The tour lasted 22 months and had been extended as part of President Bush’s surge." [Link...]

So goes the story of 2,600 heroes in the Minnesota National Guard. As far as the rules go, National Guard troops who are deployed for 730 days (that’s exactly 2 years or more) are eligible for education benefits under the G.I. Bill. This means help in financing that Bachelor of Science degree, or that MBA. It’s the least the government can do, right? Problem is, some pencil-pushing accountant who thought that it would be cool to show how much money we can save had the orders for these troops drawn up for 729 days (one day less than is required for benefits).

“It’s pretty much a slap in the face,” Anderson said. “I think it was a scheme to save money, personally. I think it was a leadership failure by the senior Washington leadership… once again failing the soldiers”

Meanwhile, our friends at the GAO discovered that the entire country is getting the wool pulled over our eyes by a different class of bureaucrat by way of first-class upgrades on flights around the country … at a cost of MILLIONS. (oh yeah … because they thought they were entitled to it). Perhaps some of our elected class in the House and Senate can get something done about this. Perhaps?  To ignore it would be criminal.

Military members who have volunteered for service and ultimately been away from family for two years, fighting on the battlefield under less than ideal conditions, deserve everything that’s coming to them.  And if that means being eligible for the GI Bill so they can further their education, the so be it.  It’s the least we can do.

Incompetence is expected in government.  Blatant, unfettered thievery with no consequences should not be permitted.