Photo: NY Times

Let's perform a thought experiment.  Say that you are a member of Congress.  A terrorist attack occurs that warrants sending U.S. Military troops to battle for retribution.  After the conflict has been resolved and retribution has been served, troops come home.  Years later, Americans learn that the military disposes of its garbage on remote military bases by burning the material.  Burn pits.  Giant pits are full of trash and  are burned to produce a myriad of toxic by-products.  U.S. troops nearby watching are exposed to toxic gases through inhalation.  

That is the setup of the thought experiment.

Now, in Congress, a bill shows up asking for funding to give medical care for those who served on the bases that were directly exposed to toxic gases.

How would you vote?  For the bill?  Or against the bill?

Remember that an earlier vote by yourself sent those military troops into a hazardous environment?

The answer seems easy to me -- support the bill. But I am not in Congress.

That bill passed in the Senate but failed when Republicans shot is down later.  Why?

In the following CNN interview, comedian Jon Stewart briefs us on the decision made by Congress on 'burn pit' victims:

Wow!  The obstacle toward passing legislation to give veterans of burn pits surrounds the statement in the bill:  Note - paraphrased.

Coverage extends to doctors in rural areas to serve veterans who do not live near major metropolitan areas with sizeable medical infrastructure.  

What?  

Republicans are running with this addition claiming that the extension to rural areas will drive up the costs of medical care to the point of being 'out of control.'  

Which is bull crap.  Pay for healthcare for those who Congress chose to send into the line of fire - dangerous conditions - i.e., burn pits.  The time has come to give care to those who serve the Country.