Dear Editor,
Congressmen like Joe Wilson love to show off on Veterans Day. They talk about how much they love our veterans, go to parades, wave the flag, and might even manage to shed a tear in the process.
But what do Joe Wilson and his colleagues say about the fact that nearly 1 in 7 veteran are homeless? What do they say about the 986,000 veterans who are living in poverty or the 900,000 who are on food stamps?
Despite his own military record and that of his family members, Wilson’s record of supporting veterans is abysmal and inconsistent. Over the years, he’s voted for billions of dollars in cuts to veterans services. In 2010 Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America gave him a “D’” for his poor record in supporting the heroes of those wars.
He’s not the only one and it’s not a partisan issue. No matter our views on the role of government, isn’t taking care of our veterans something we can all agree on?
Honoring our veterans is more than a slogan or photo opp. It’s something our country must do a better job at.
Lachlan McIntosh
Columbia, S.C.
Wanna sound off? Send us your letter to the editor here.
16 comments
You would think this would be something all could agree on.
As a libertarian, TBG would like to see fewer veterans being “created” and fewer of our best and brightest being physically and mentally scarred, FOR NO GOOD REASON.
TBG would also point out to cousin Lachlan, that some veterans receiving food stamps is evidence that the government IS helping them, not the opposite.
“…what do Joe Wilson and his colleagues say about the fact that nearly 1 in 7 veteran are homeless?”
First, they say in no uncertain terms – bullshit. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans estimates that there are about 62,000 homeless veterans at any one time – according to the VA there are more than 23,000,000 living Veterans right now. That would make the number about 0.2%. http://nchv.org/index.php/news/media/background_and_statistics/
If you want to address the genuine “homeless Veteran problem”, start with the truth. The “1 in 7 number” comes by comparing currently serving Soldiers with the number of homeless Veterans – a blatant and significant exaggeration.
“Over the years, he’s voted for billions of dollars in cuts to veterans services.”
Funny, Joe must have voted alone since the VA budget has more than doubled from
2003 to 2011. http://www.va.gov/budget/products.asp
In fact, if you examine his voting record on Veterans issues, you’ll discover that he only voted against a “veterans bill” when it was really tied up in some other issue unrelated to the Veteran’s issue that he wouldn’t or couldn’t support. http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/3985/joe-wilson-sr/66/veterans
A quick review of the “nonpartisan” IAVA, who’s president is not a veteran of Iraq or Afghanistan, shows that their “grade list” is heavily partisan after all. http://iavaaction.org/report-card/a_team_d_list
Do we have problems in the VA – most assuredly. Is rallying a call to action with blatant falsehoods and exaggerations a good way to start? No, not so much.
You trust the VA? Lol…Poor ass medical care, old meds, out of style glasses, high employee turnover…hell I’ve only seen the same doctor twice since I started fucked by these bastards.
Trust the VA – not really, I always get a second opinion now matter what doctor I see. I do use them to follow a service related eye issue I have. In fact, I have on a pair of their “out of style glasses” right now. You might take a second look, the eyewear choices have expanded dramatically.
“I trust the VA and they always support me”- Said NO veteran EVER!
Just to be clear, I’m no huge fan of Joe “You Lie!” Wilson but the writer makes several allegations that are questionable, exaggerations, or blatant falsehoods.
VETS deserve the best of treatment……..If you NEVER served in the Military then one can’t relate so go visit a VA hospital then maybe you’ll change your mind.
How many times must I say, “Joe needs to Go”!
Joe just isn’t too smart, after all look at Roxanne.
He has close associations with people in Lexington of questionable integrity and ethics!
What has he done of purpose since being elected to Congress?
I’ve personally heard Roxanne talk (brag) about all of the countries she and Joe have traveled to, many flights on military aircraft. All on the taxpayer’s back!
We need another Republican, a true conservative, not pa party controlled hack who cannot think for themselves and act on their own, if needed!
While I love and respect our veterans, to say that you should never face any problems for the rest of your life because you served in the military at one point is not reasonable.
When I think of VA hospitals, I think of two things:
1. Civil War triage (and its birth)
2. Obamacare
Some VA hospitals are top notch (Example: Johnson City, Tennessee). Other ones, you go there to die (Example: Columbia,SC)
At least he said the ONLY true words ever uttered in the Capitol Building when he shouted “YOU LIE!” to Barak Obama during the Satae of the Union Speach.
Has anyone noticed how sweetheet,Joe sounds when he talks?
He’s the kind of guy I’d rather not hear talk when things get passionate,although crying and whimpering like a little girl while getting a spanking,and then a plowing, is more than fine..
Gotta take care of out vets!!!
I am a vet, served during the Vietnam war but was never sent over there. I didn’t try to get out of it, didn’t have anyone influential on my side, it’s just the way the chips fell. I even asked for duty that I knew would put me in harm’s way, so, I can’t say I don’t feel a little guilty because of my good fortune. Everybody has a job to do, though, I did mine.
I do appreciate the positive recognition, for sure. Thank all of you who do that. The only thing is, unless you were drafted, which I wasn’t, I’m not sure the accolades are entirely appropriate. It almost reminds me of cops, firefighters, EMTs, other “public service” workers where those in it are paid to do a job. They chose the profession, but then ask us to treat them like heros.
For those who actually fought and died or were wounded (mentally or physically or both) we should take care of them. We did that to them, in the collective sense, so we should be willing to pay the price.
I wish I could say that our fighting was always justified, but it’s likely that it wasn’t. I don’t care for the “nation building” exercises. Smedly Butler comes to mind. I wish we could follow peace and maintain a kick ass defensive posture. Solve the problems here first, help others later, if we can.
I know, too much to ask. Too many monied interests.
Shoulda changed my avatar for Veterans Day.