The Rich get Richer?

In the article, What GIs deserve in the Boston Globe, the editor writes about Bush's plan to add a surcharge to the GI bill that was introduced to the Senate. This .47 percent surcharge would be to the wealthy, those making at least $500,000/year. The Senate, however, took this funding out of the plan, and it fell through to a broader war funding bill. The surcharge would have been minimal for each person, and would have completely funded the $52 billion scholarship program. How is it that the Senate pulled funding from a bill that would, in essence, give those who gave their all a chance at a better life? The liberal Senate is obviously worried more about the .47 percent that the wealthy have instead of supporting the troops that they're so desperate to bring home. Seem paradoxical?

John McCain has a GI bill of his own, which is weaker than Bush's. Although that may be the case, isn't direct funding for the future of our troops worth it in the long haul? I somehow can't understand how those who make $500,000/year can't provide .47 percent to give our troops the education and opportunities that they themselves had.