As Exile points out Louise is on the case. I wish my local Congressman would take lessons from her but unfortunately it isn’t in his nature.

See Randy Kuhl proudly says he supports the troops and with 2 VA hospitals in his district, Randy isn’t above writing a letter (Jan 17) to SecDef Gates opposing the stop loss program. He did and that is worthy of support.

Then again last year it came out that he knew a portion of the VA hospital was going to close in Canandaigua. We wrote about it here and here and, of course, the Fighting 29th was all over it. I’m not against streamlining activities but as I wrote then, the decision to close a portion of the Canandaigua VA was made in 2004. Given the increased deployments and increased casualties due to the lack of Iraqi rose petals and WMDs I’m sure the closing could be revisited given the change in situation. Guess not.

Then Randy comes out against the anti-escalation measure recently passed in the House. The last line in his press release says it all. “I will continue to fight with every last bit of energy I have to make sure that our troops overseas are given everything they need to get the job done. “

How about this Congressman Kuhl.

Part of making sure the troops overseas have what they need is a guarantee that when they come home and are in need of care they get the best in the world. Want to increase morale? Make sure this is fixed.

Oh - and look into the Murtha plan so you can figure out how to support it. I believe you will find it says that troops won’t be deployed unless that are fully equipped and trained. You can’t be against that. Sounds like supporting the troops and giving them what they need.

Equipment? Body Armor? Have a look at this letter from Sparta, NY. Yes, I know it isn’t in your district but Walter Reed isn’t in Louise’s district either. Supporting the troops isn’t partisan nor is it confined to a district. So, I’ve seen stories like this for the past few years. The military doesn’t support this type of armor. The bigger question is are the troops confident in the equipment they have to do their job? Doesn’t sound like it.

You can’t have your cake and eat it too. You are following doomed Republican policies instead of working with the Democratic leadership to ensure our troops have what they need to do their job. Yes, I know you are in the Republican party but so are Jim Walsh and Chuck Hagel. So is the guy I canvassed this past election who has been Republican all his life and is so disgusted with what the Republican party has done to this country he voted straight Democrat.

The policies you continue to support are not in the best interest of the troops who protect this nation.