• Bush is sending our military equipped to Iraq with antiquated, substandard flak jackets.
• Bush's White House tried to cut the combat pay of troops in Iraq and Afghanistan but had to backpedal due to public outrage.
• Bush photo ops at Walter Reed Hospital, as sick, wounded troops wait months for medical care.
• Bush opposed national guard and reserves access to military health insurance.
• Bush opposed $1.3 billion for veterans emergency health care funding.
• Bush proposed rules to cuts veterans lifetime healthcare benefits.
• Bush proposed tripling veterans co-pay on drug benefits.
• Bush threatened to veto the 2003 defense authorization bill if it included new benefits for disabled military retirees.

• “Twenty one times…Bush and congressional Republicans restricted or rejected the resources necessary to make us safer.”
• Bush Failing to Fund Homeland Security and Leaves Americans Vulnerable.

All veterans, including those of any peacekeeping action undertaken by the United States (such as post-Vietnam service in the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan), should be honored and provided all the entitlements given to veterans of earlier service, including education and training benefits, health benefits, home loans, and other financial assistance. All veterans should be treated with respect and provided their earned entitlements rendered to them by a grateful nation for services rendered while serving as members of the peacekeeping forces.

Click here for the CDP Platform on Veterans

During the President Clinton years America stayed engaged in world affairs. This was the first administration to face the realities of preserving peace following the cold war. In contrast, President Bush has opposed opportunities to build international goodwill through important international environmental and security agreements.

The Bush administration opposes the Anti-ballistic Missile Treaty, Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, Kyoto Protocol (climate change), Small Arms Control Pact.

The events of September 11 forever changed the lives of all Americans. It has reinforced what Democrats have long believed -- that staying remote from the world is not an option.

Click here for the CDP Platform on World Peace and International Relations

Eight years ago, Americans found themselves between two worlds. After half a century in which we stood up for peace and security all over the globe - taking on the forces of tyranny and terror that imperiled our interests and assaulted our values - the Cold War was over and a new Global Age was beginning. We needed new ideas and new leadership. Democrats have provided them. Under the leadership of Bill Clinton and Al Gore, the first light of the 21st Century finds America at peace. More of the world's citizens live in freedom than ever before, and our people and our values are protected by the greatest military force the world has ever known.

Click here for the 2000 National Democratic Party Platform on Peace