AP: Democrats say they're strong on military, tout bills to prove it

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Democratic lawmakers, touting a list of pro-military bills they've filed, said Tuesday they're angry that Republicans get the credit for being the party that's strong on patriotism.

Among the bills written to help members of the military are measures that would let them hunt and fish in Florida without a license, prohibit auto insurance hikes on policies canceled while holders were overseas, help provide life insurance for the National Guard members, make it easier to obtain scholarships, and offer tax credits to businesses that help bridge the difference in lost salary for reservists called up to active duty.

"I personally have been outraged in recent years reading about how patriotic the other party is and the Democrats aren't," said Sen. Steven Geller, D-Hallandale Beach. "For years the Democrats have been the ones that have consistently done things to help our soldiers."

In addition, Florida Democratic Party Chairman Scott Maddox announced the party is sponsoring a Web site - www.supportfloridasheroes.com - that promotes the bills and the party's support for the military.

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http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/apnews/stories/022205/D88DRON80.shtml

"All wars are wars among thieves who are too cowardly to fight and therefore induce the young manhood of the whole world to do the fighting for them."

"Conceit, arrogance, and egotism are the essentials of patriotism."

"The experience of every-day life fully proves that the armed individual is invariably anxious to try his strength. The same is historically true of governments. Really peaceful countries do not waste life and energy in war preparations, with the result that peace is maintained"

"The majority cares little for ideals and integrity. What it craves is display."

This is the Democrats problem and blind spot. They think they have to be as "strong" as the Republicans on the military issue. They'll never win on that basis. What they have to do is demonstrate that they are smarter, that they can get more 'bang' (pun intended) for the buck; that they can use diplomacy more effectively; that they care and support the individual GI; so and so forth.

But most Democrats are just too cowed right now by the Bushies to figure this out.

The party needs to stop proving they are republican like