What veterans say about Kory's bill

Despite trying to claim that he authored a bill to ensure the Support our Troops plates money goes to the troops, the fact remains that Kory's bill, HF 3703, was so unpopular that a coalition of veterans groups rose up in opposition to it.

March 16, 2010
Dear Legislators,
We write to you in regards to recent media stories about how “Support Our Troops” license plate funds were used to partially fund the work of a former Governor’s Office employee that worked on faith and community based outreach efforts. As leaders of nine of Minnesota’s congressionally-chartered veteran service organizations, we are keenly interested in how the state, through the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, helps serve the veterans that live in our state.
We are deeply troubled by the potential for long-term damage that will occur if the mission of the “Support Our Troops” plate is tarnished. If people believe that the funds are not being spent correctly, they will no longer purchase the plate, which will result in decreased revenues to the account. Decreased revenues means less money for Veteran Service Organizations, outreach to underserved veterans, and to transfers for the Gold Star license plates.
We firmly believe that the Department of Veterans Affairs did not misuse these funds. Hiring the part-time services of a person that is already connected to the groups the Department was trying to reach seems to be a much more efficient use of money than hiring a permanent, full-time employee. Further, it is our personal experience that this employee did indeed do the work requested, under the parameters for which the fund was created.
We value the hard work done by ALL legislators to support our veterans. Minnesota is one of the most veteran-friendly states in the nation and it is because of the work that has been done at the Capitol over the last several years. That being said, we urge everyone involved in this issue to take a step back, and consider what damage is being done to a vital program – and more importantly to the veterans and their family members who are served by it. 

Sincerely, Maynard Kaderlik, Commander
Vietnam Veterans of America
Al Holtan, DAV, Chair Irving Rosenblum, Commander
Commanders Task Force Jewish War Veterans
Al Davis, Commander Bernie Thompson, Commander
American Legion Marine Corps League
David Claypool, Commander Gary W. Kinser, Commander
American Ex-POWs Military Order of the Purple Heart
Michael J. Cook, Commander Don Nix, Commander
AMVETS Veterans of Foreign Wars

The Minnesota Commanders Task Force is a joint group that includes the VFW, the Legion. Jewish Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, Disabled Veterans, AM Vets, the Marine Corps League, the American POW's, and the Order of the Purple Heart.  When you have all of these groups together calling the bill you wrote troubling, damaging and harmful, you know you have screwed up bad.

Nor is this the first time Kory has pandered to veterans.  For Memorial Day, 2009, he wrote a nice letter to the editor asking everyone to remember our veterans and their sacrifice.

"Dear Editor,
This Memorial Day, we remember the members of the military who gave their lives in service to our country. It’s a time to especially remember the sacrifices of American soldiers fighting the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and their families.
We took a number of steps this legislative session to make sure veterans and members of the National Guard receive the recognition and support they deserve. As a member of the Agriculture and Veterans Affairs Committee, I’m pleased that despite a historic budget deficit, we increased funding for the Minnesota National Guard and Veterans Services. The Legislature also established June 13, 2009 as Honor Vietnam Era Veterans Day. The Department of Veterans Affairs will host a day-long gathering on State Capitol grounds for Vietnam Veterans and their families to reconnect with other service members and learn about the latest in Veterans benefits.
So whether you visit the gravesite of a loved one or enjoy a parade, Memorial Day is a time to pause and reflect on how our veterans and service members keep all of us safe and preserve the freedom we enjoy in this country.

Sincerely,
State Representative Kory Kath, Owatonna "

But this year, just days after Kory found out he would be running against a military veteran, he changed his tune completely.

As we celebrate the Memorial Day weekend, we are once again reminded of the sacrifices the men and women in the Armed Forces have made for all of us. Those who are presently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families are especially in our thoughts and prayers.

As a member of the Veterans Affairs Committee, I hold funding for veterans in the highest regard. Despite facing another challenging budget year, I worked hard to prevent cuts and actually helped secure a small but important funding increase. We helped families of veterans by expanding education benefits, gave schools permission to waive activity fees for children of deployed service members, and put provisions in place that will improve several veterans homes and strengthen business opportunities for veterans. I will continue to be a strong advocate for the men and women who serve our country.

I have also been actively involved in a community effort to make Owatonna a Yellow Ribbon City. This campaign is a reminder that supporting service members cannot end when they return home and the yellow ribbons are untied.

However you honor veterans this weekend, whether by laying flowers on the gravesites of loved ones or attending a Memorial Day parade or program, please take time to reflect on the important role our veterans have played in protecting our way of life. This weekend, especially, it’s important to remember how fortunate we are.

State Representative Kory Kath

Kory knew he was running against a veteran, so this year's letter is filled with I, as in I did this or I did that.  last year's letter was WE, as in we did this or we did that.

I admit it, Kory Kath had me fooled.  He talked about a new kind of politics, about the hope and change of Obama, and about putting politics aside.  He was, and is, full of BS.  Kory will say whatever people want to hear, and he needs to understand that people know what he is.