us against them?

So at least 100 democrats have co-sponsored a bill to try to prevent student loan interest from doubling soon.  Yet, not one republican has joined in.  Now I have always been politically moderate, and yes, you can call it middle of the fence if you want, but I can't support stupidity so I vote my conscience.  That being said, i am wondering why no republicans have joined in to prevent this increase in loan interest.   
     This year as other election years, the hatred started a little earlier than I anticipated.  Yet, it saddens me to see that politics has become an "us against them" game.  Do the politicians on either side really care about the people who will be voting for them?  Do they care about people starving in this country?  Do they care about how many people have lost their jobs, their homes, and much of their self respect?  Do they care about the increase in personal bankruptcies?  If a democratic president tries to do something to help people, he is automatically attacked by the republicans.   And to be fair, if a republican president tries the same thing, he is attacked by the democrats. 
   I received emails almost daily from several different people that degrades one party or the other.  I realize that statistics can be used to prove one point or another.  One person says this and another person says that.  And they are both right.   sometimes people are deeply offended at political jokes.  to the extent that I won't even post them any more because people have lost their sense of humor.
   The Ohio governor waited only a few days after taking office then announced that he would be eliminating collective bargaining for state employees. FoI r many of these employees, it would be an automatic payroll reduction of around $3000 to $5000 because of the removal of insurance benefits.  Fortunately, this was repealed in the next election.  Just a few weeks ago, yet another republican governor vetoed a bill that would have given equal pay for women. 
  When does this end?  Have we reverted back to 1950?  Even some people are referring it to the 15th century because of current treatment of women.
   I believe in rules and laws.  I believe in personal responsibility and owning up to one's own mistakes.  I also believe in the death penalty.  I also know that if someone breaks into my house and threatens my family, I will shoot them.. without question.  I believe that when we have an income, we live within that income.  i also believe that when people pay into a system, they deserve to get something out of it without it being labeled as an entitlement.   yes, people are entitled to get a return on their investment, but don't make it sound like welfare. 

VA does it again

I saw a story on the news this evening about naval personnel stationed at McMurdo Naval Station in Antarctica in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.  Apparently a large number of these men were exposed to radiation to the extent that many of them have since died of cancer.  Many of them are also now fighting cancer.   These men served their country proudly and when they turned to their government for help, their government turned its back on them.  The VA said that according to government reports, the radiation that they were exposed to was always as safe levels.  This of course is the direct opposite of witness statements about alarms in the facility because of high radiations levels.
I seems sad that when these men were told to do a specific job and they are injured for it, someone should be held accountable.   This is much like Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.  At first, the VA denied claims, then after pressure and facts, they slowly began looking into claims.  The VA now is taking a more active part is caring for disabled veterans.  The VA now recognizes many diseases that were caused by Agent Orange and veterans are being treated for them... well at least most of them.
However, the men stationed in Antarctica were denied care because the government didn't want to acknowledge unsafe conditions.
With the assistance of the reporter who gave this story, and Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio, the government, specifically the VA is now going to begin studies to determine who, what, when, where, why, etc. etc.  The study is expected to take around 9 month.  I believe that 9 months for a study like this is very reasonable.  I just hope its not too late for many of these men who are now sick.
I served with two individuals who were recently each given a 100% disability.  Sadly, this took over 45 years.  This is something that should have been done in a matter of months instead of years.
I know that there are those who will disagree with me and say that its just one of those things that we have to deal with.  However, if I am wounded in battle, I fully understand it and don't expect anything more than medical treatment.  Thats because I know the risk and I know the truth.  But when the government exposes people to radiation, exposes people to nuclear explosions, and exposeds people to poison chemicals without their knowledge, then the government has to be held accountable.   I applaud the actions that the VA is now taking.  I just hope its not too late.