The Daily Background

When the President’s new budget came out a little while ago, I discussed his proposed cuts to programs that help people, such as Medicare, U.S. Food Aid, and education.

The next people to suffer from the White House’s proposed budget? Veterans. Associated Press:

At least tens of thousands of veterans with non-critical medical issues could suffer delayed or even denied care in coming years to enable President Bush to meet his promise of cutting the deficit in half — if the White House is serious about its proposed budget.

After an increase for next year, the Bush budget would turn current trends on their head. Even though the cost of providing medical care to veterans has been growing by leaps and bounds, White House budget documents assume a cutback in 2008 and further cuts thereafter.

In fact, the proposed cuts are so draconian that it seems to some that the White House is simply making them up to make its long-term deficit figures look better. More realistic numbers, however, would raise doubts as to whether Bush can keep his promise to wrestle the deficit under control by the time he leaves office.

Ooh, harsh. But deserved. Sending hundreds of thousands of soldiers off to war, and then cutting their veteran’s health care. I wonder the last time AP called a President’s policy ‘draconian’?

Filed under: Tax Money, Z-TDB Blog