Jon Stewart cuttingly reminds the GOP of its own terrible VA track record

(Image credit: Daily Show)

On Monday, Jon Stewart lit into the Obama administration for not fixing the problems in the Veterans Affairs Department health care system, even though he has known about the long waits since before taking office. On Thursday night's Daily Show, Stewart reminded the Republicans now pouncing on the VA hospital scandal that their hands aren't exactly clean on the matter, either.

Stewart ran through recent Senate Republican efforts to block a VA health care bill, noted that the problems predate Obama, pulled out his Mitch McConnell/Cecil Turtle impersonation, and favorably compared Bill O'Reilly to the Incredible Hulk. It's good, but the best part is what follows: A period-costumed look back at how we've mistreated veterans for centuries. As we celebrate Memorial Day weekend, Stewart concluded solemnly, let's remember that "America has had, for over 200 years, a great bipartisan tradition of honoring those who have fought for our freedom by f--king them over once they give their guns back." --Peter Weber

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.