VA Prohibits Voter Registration Drives at its Facilities

You'd think that with less than 6 months to go in an administration that has bungled just about everything it's touched, the inclination would be just to coast to the exit date.

But NOOOOOOO! Not these guys. A few months ago, the United States Department of Veterans' Affairs decided to ban voter registration drives among veterans living in  federally run nursing homes, shelters for the homeless and rehabilitation centers across the country.

Hmmm... I see.... it's okay for you to go to war for this country, possibly lose an appendage or suffer some other tragic injury, but the government agency assigned to look out for your welfare won't lend a hand so you might exercise one of those rights you were fighting for?

The move has outraged voters' rights groups as well as disabled advocacy and veterans' organizations.  Finally, this week, ten U.S. Senators, led by Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman, Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-HI), has called on the Department of Veterans Affairs to reverse its new policy barring voting rights groups, "partisan or otherwise," from holding voter registration drives on campuses where injured veterans are living or receiving medical care.

The senators repeatedly have urged the VA to designate itself as a voter registration agency like state motor vehicle departments, where the public is asked by staffers if they would like to register to vote. "There is no reason why the Department of Veterans Affairs should not proactively assist veterans in exercising their right to vote. To do otherwise is an insult to the sacrifices these men and women have made for our country," the joint letter said.  However, despite the new political pressure, it is not clear if the VA will change its policy long enough before the close of registration in early fall for the 2008 presidential election.

This is such a no-brainer that even the cerebellum-challenged Bushies in the VA ought to be able to figure it out.