This is a naive, irresponsible editorial on several accounts. First of all, a reduction of nearly 50% in homelessness among veterans in less than ten years IS objectively a huge accomplishment, period. Second of all, there is no investigation into the factors that limited the potential success of this initiative. What funds were sought but not approved? Who stood in the way of adequate support for the programs?
We have to stop treating our soldiers and sailors as cannon fodder. We celebrate our nation's military strengths, applaud when they march off to war, mourn their deaths, and forget them when they can't fight anymore!
Shame on those in power who never served in our military and put their lives on the line as our honored soldiers and sailors did. Congress's preoccupation with multi-million dollar airplanes and billions of dollars weapon platforms leaves little for our veterans. A thirteen billion dollar aircraft carrier would build 90,000 homes for veterans. The 13 billion dollar aircraft carrier could be destroyed by one missile while 90,000 homes would save at least that many veteran lives for decades.
Shame on those in power who never served in our military and put their lives on the line as our honored soldiers and sailors did. Congress's preoccupation with multi-million dollar airplanes and billions of dollars weapon platforms leaves little for our veterans. A thirteen billion dollar aircraft carrier would build 90,000 homes for veterans. The 13 billion dollar aircraft carrier could be destroyed by one missile while 90,000 homes would save at least that many veteran lives for decades.
6
I don't know this but I'm sure many have wondered it. Perhaps many of the vets who have such difficulty back here in the USA are hobbled by guilt for what they have done in a war zone. For example, the war criminals who perpetrated the My Lai massacre went largely unpunished for their atrocities. Those are the few we are aware of yet there were many more incidents and occurrences of war crimes committed by our troops that few know about. Of course I will be immediately criticized and my loyalty and patriotism challenged for bringing this up. No one dares to question a veteran on such a sensitive subject. It's just not done. They are heroes. It doesn't help that the military leadership orders our troops to commit such acts with no suggestion that they will face any punishment or sanction for killing a family or bombing a wedding party with a drone missile. Robert Bales said shortly after his crimes that he thought he was doing what was expected of him.
Governments have always neglected their wounded veterans. It took revolutionaries like Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton to change how wounded soldiers were treated.
Governments have always neglected their wounded veterans. It took revolutionaries like Florence Nightingale and Clara Barton to change how wounded soldiers were treated.
5
My Vietnam Vet friends are not unhappy with the VA. One received a large dispensation, settled by the Obama Administration, for detrimental affects of agent orange exposure. His life improved dramatically. But as The Times points out, previous administrations tryed to hold down expenditure. Another friend had knee replacements, gratis. My 95 year old father receives a few hours of home care assistance and some of the best hearing aids available for serving on the flight deck. None of these guys think the U.S. is being stingy. This is the Obama Administration's administration of the benefits. If we want to spend more money, then get Paul Ryan to go for it. Good luck.
6
Like Mr. Wing art I have benefitted greatly from programs for veterans -- GI bill for college, VA loan program for my first house, medical care based on Purple Heart awards -- and I too have noted the roadside "homeless vet needs" money's signs. I also wonder if their problems with drugs and alcohol have been determined to arise from military service? The plight of struggling, and often homeless, single mothers and workers "downsized" into poverty seem to me higher on the list of things we ought to address immediately.
8
It is unfair to segregate medical care for Vets and the general public. An illness is an illness- an injury is an injury and psychological trauma can afflict anyone. Lump everyone together, consolidate resources- divide and conquer. What you will find in most hospitals is the atrocious amount of elderly patients who simply don't need to be there! They are bored, have no friends and will think of any conceivable excuse to check themselves into a hospital for attention. This is a monumental drain on physician and staff time and if this were to be cut back- you would see immediate relief in every hospital.
2
When I was drafted, the Army promised me food and housing as long as I wore the uniform and GI Bill benefits after the expiration of my service commitment. The Army lived up to its promise, although the food at time was C-rations and home was foxhole. But the Army never promised to take care of me the rest of my life. What are these “broken promises” the editorial board is talking about?
2
Touching , if tardy display of interest by the President, but he's gone in a few more months. Funny how they managed to come up with the $400 million in various currencies and a quick flight to Teheran. Who would believe these guys and longer? - Good thing there's relief on the way with the two sterling candidates now vying for the O.O.
4
I'm a vet. Granted it was long ago and involved the draft since I was a poor student and typically undisciplined as any teenager. Of course I "drifted" when I finished my four year service. The future and my prospects were uncertain and life was hungry but good. I felt no post service entitlements were promised or due. That said, I came away with a lifetime of technical and social skills that eventually led to a successful career, family and comfortable retirement. I concluded that what you need and learn takes place while you are in the service: discipline, respect, job care, group dynamics, trained skills and nuggets of personal resources that will stay with you for a lifetime. Some minor benefits in post service education or training are certainly welcome for those who qualify but the point is about what you learn and build on while in the service.
4
Does nobody see the real message behind the plight of vets? i.e., that the vets created this century should not have existed to begin with?
The post-2000 vets are the results of bad foreign policies and Wars of Choice, nothing more, nothing less. In contrast, the war in Bosnia was necessary but did not create a single U.S. casualty.
Maybe future U.S. Presidents, including warmongering Hillary Clinton, will walk the walk when talking in future about the welfare of vets.
The post-2000 vets are the results of bad foreign policies and Wars of Choice, nothing more, nothing less. In contrast, the war in Bosnia was necessary but did not create a single U.S. casualty.
Maybe future U.S. Presidents, including warmongering Hillary Clinton, will walk the walk when talking in future about the welfare of vets.
7
My husband and I have been helping a homeless Vietnam Vet for the past six years. When we met him he was sleeping under a bridge in Ann Arbor. Enterprising, hard-working, he supported himself collecting cans, diving in dumpsters and working for University of Michigan fraternity houses. We got him a truck which helps and last winter found him an apartment that was affordable for 9 months. Uncomplaining and resourceful guy. He's met with the local V.A. guy and his application for HUD has now gone forward. In 2 months, he says, he hopes to have an apartment. He was a professional truck driver for 28 years until 2 heart attacks meant he couldn't drive. He wanted to be his own boss, he says, and chose to live like he did, having breakfast every day at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church which he calls the Breakfast Church. Now that he's older and more frail, living under the bridge in the winter isn't an option. He' says nobody should go hungry in Ann Arbor - there are so many resources. "Critter" is our friend. He helps us and we help him. We owe these guys so much. I submit this to honor him.
6
I really admire the VA spending $20 MILLION on artwork for the clinic. What stupid upper level manager made that decision? and then worse yet, who authorized it???
6
When Secretary Shinseki announced the goal of ending homelessness for veterans those of us responsible for delivering healthcare knew it was a moonshot. Big goals frees a bureaucracy to try new things.
The first time I was able to refer a veteran for a housing voucher was a transformative experience. The veteran, living in a his van, broke his leg and would have ended up on the street. We couldn't even provide a shower to homeless vets before this. Our ideas about our mandate to provide health care to veterans were changed by where we set the goal.
Our medicine and mental health programs don't have all the answers to the wounds suffered by our veterans. What we can do is keep up with changes in healthcare and keep setting big goals that help us see beyond today's limitations. And maybe give a little credit to past big ideas that have helped a whole lot of veterans. Thank you Secretary Shinseki.
The first time I was able to refer a veteran for a housing voucher was a transformative experience. The veteran, living in a his van, broke his leg and would have ended up on the street. We couldn't even provide a shower to homeless vets before this. Our ideas about our mandate to provide health care to veterans were changed by where we set the goal.
Our medicine and mental health programs don't have all the answers to the wounds suffered by our veterans. What we can do is keep up with changes in healthcare and keep setting big goals that help us see beyond today's limitations. And maybe give a little credit to past big ideas that have helped a whole lot of veterans. Thank you Secretary Shinseki.
7
This is a sorry story. I am a Vet. Our priorities and dialog forget that our Country was not only founded, but survives on the sacrifice of Blood.
5
Without a doubt, Pres. Obama has neglected his sacred duty to our veterans over his two terms, beginning with his continued support for Eric Shinseki long after it was clear that the general was not up to the job of V.A. secretary. But let's not forget the abject failure of Pres. George W. Bush. He not only created the two wars that produced even more wounded warriors in addition to those already in dire straits, he completely abdicated his responsibility toward them through multiple deployments, inadequate protection in the field, and a deplorable system of health care (remember the Walter Reed scandal?). Should Obama have unleashed an all-hands-on-deck approach to this highly publicized problem? Absolutely. But Bush made the mess in the first place, and ever since has done relatively little for the men and women he sent off to his misbegotten war adventures. I say shame on both of them.
1
Anybody that is homeless, and there are many reasons why they are homeless, should be targeted for a helping hand - not just veterans.
7
When these men go to war and choose to serve our country, they put their lives on hold and choose to serve others and not themselves. Often when they get back to the US and have to be re-integrated into everyday life, they struggle. With physical disabilities and the extreme mental effects of being in war, supporting oneself is hard. However, these veterans deserve the utmost respect and services. These people fought for us and we need to fight for them. They served us and kept us safe, and we need to offer any help we can. With how taxing war is on the mind, being homeless simply stifles recovery and can do more damage. These veterans need comfort and help to be reacquainted with life after fighting. The care of veterans needs to be taken seriously. Action cannot be half-hearted. If they can fight for us with their whole hearts, we can help them with dedication to help them recuperate and have the essentials they need for life. While it is great that these programs have been making progress, let's wait to boast once there are no longer any homeless veterans.
4
I think it is unfair and high-handed to characterize cutting veterans’ homelessness in half as “mission failure” because it does not “vanquish the problem”. Given the intractability of homelessness, and that no community has vanquished it, I think reducing it among veterans by 47% is a wonderful accomplishment. Certainly that figure can be improved, but 100% will never be achieved, even if unlimited funds were available for this program, if only because some will always choose to not stay put in the home provided them, and because, as President Obama noted, there are new homeless veterans created every day.
The mistake I think is the unrealistic goal of completely ending homelessness among veterans. That will happen right about the time we end joblessness, mental illness and substance abuse.
The mistake I think is the unrealistic goal of completely ending homelessness among veterans. That will happen right about the time we end joblessness, mental illness and substance abuse.
14
As a 50-year reader of the NYT, I've generally agreed with your positions on most issues. But not always. This is one of the latter.
As an Army vet ('66-'67), I've derived some of the benefits that service provided. Hazardous duty pay in Viet Nam paid for my first car and the G.I. bill paid my college tuition. Thank you, that was a great help and I won't be back asking for more. And, as a former resident of the NY Metro area, I also saw homelessness on daily trips to my job but knew alcohol, drugs and/or mental problems were responsible for much of that homelessness. Those problems call for more attention from the gov't. Those problems may also be responsible for much of the homelessness among today's vets. If so, that same increased attention should be available to help them. However, if vets' homelessness is largely due to years of living w/gov't provided food and shelter and that experience has led to a general deterioration of their work ethic and a 'the gov't owes me' attitude, is it really the V.A,'s 'responsibility' to step in and help?
Spend whatever is needed to help those injured during their years of service and correct the V.A. inefficiencies that delay that help and I'll gladly support you and dig a little deeper to help pay for it, But, before I support spending V.A, $$$ on homeless vets, explain to me how their military service is responsible for that situation.
As an Army vet ('66-'67), I've derived some of the benefits that service provided. Hazardous duty pay in Viet Nam paid for my first car and the G.I. bill paid my college tuition. Thank you, that was a great help and I won't be back asking for more. And, as a former resident of the NY Metro area, I also saw homelessness on daily trips to my job but knew alcohol, drugs and/or mental problems were responsible for much of that homelessness. Those problems call for more attention from the gov't. Those problems may also be responsible for much of the homelessness among today's vets. If so, that same increased attention should be available to help them. However, if vets' homelessness is largely due to years of living w/gov't provided food and shelter and that experience has led to a general deterioration of their work ethic and a 'the gov't owes me' attitude, is it really the V.A,'s 'responsibility' to step in and help?
Spend whatever is needed to help those injured during their years of service and correct the V.A. inefficiencies that delay that help and I'll gladly support you and dig a little deeper to help pay for it, But, before I support spending V.A, $$$ on homeless vets, explain to me how their military service is responsible for that situation.
15
Well, of course, there's no profit in helping vets, is there? That's all this country is about, profit and money and greed and growth. Push the weak ones under the bus. (Uh oh I'm in one of my pessimistic moods.)
4
the profit comes when election time rolls around..pandering to vets while throwing the country under the bus is a time honored tradition for our political class
1
The president of the Democrats is the top manager of the United States of America. It is his failure that has caused this homelessness and the horror that is the Veterans Administration. To him it is all politics. All. And Hillary Clinton has less management "experience" than Obama. She did run the State Department into death and email scandals. Management? Not at all. Trump knows how to manage and he has no political need, no paybacks to government employee unions and all rest. More than any candidate EVER. And he cares about America and Americans.
1
I'm a Vietnam veteran, serving eight years before deciding to go it on my own. It was a scary move, but a wise one. Since that time I have seen an increase in the number of homeless veterans; at least some of these say they are veterans. Holding a cardboard sign up at an intersection stating that the person holding the sign is in fact a veteran. I was part of a group of folks who provided food and other services to a homeless camp. Many of those homeless said they were veterans.
What I would like to see put in place is proof of veteran status before any services are offered by the VA. Once that proof is shown, then the veteran will be provided with a service that addresses he or her specific problem. If the person refuses that service, then no more service.
What I would like to see put in place is proof of veteran status before any services are offered by the VA. Once that proof is shown, then the veteran will be provided with a service that addresses he or her specific problem. If the person refuses that service, then no more service.
2
I suspect the VA has procedures in place already to verify that a person is a vet before providing services.
5
One huge obstacle for receiving veterans benefits is a clean drug test. I blame congressional scolds for their pettiness.
Let's help the veterans with housing, education, jobs and health care that includes rehabilitation and recovery. That is what an honorable people would do.
Let's help the veterans with housing, education, jobs and health care that includes rehabilitation and recovery. That is what an honorable people would do.
5
No human being should be homeless. Picking out one group from the homeless only serves to obfuscate the problem. Homelessness is the greatest scourge on our society.
6.2% of Americans are homeless (this includes people living with relatives, people in shelters and the temporarily homeless.) Only Britain of the developed nations has a higher rate (7%.)
One third of the homeless are employed.
25-33% of the homeless are families, usually single mothers with children.
One half of the homeless are disabled, but only 14% of these people get disability benefits. You can't get food stamps or medicaid if you are homeless, because you have to have a permanent address. Same with voting.
The right to a shelter is in the Soviet and Russian constitution, but with the increase of capitalism in Russia, this right is often ignored. We need a constitutional amendment to make having a home a right, as we do for adequate nutrition and medical care. we need to bring back the ADC safety net that bill Clinton's welfare "reform" destroyed. We need to bring back housing vouchers that were so diminished starting with Reagan.
Sadly, the war on poverty is over. It has been replaced by a war on the poor.
6.2% of Americans are homeless (this includes people living with relatives, people in shelters and the temporarily homeless.) Only Britain of the developed nations has a higher rate (7%.)
One third of the homeless are employed.
25-33% of the homeless are families, usually single mothers with children.
One half of the homeless are disabled, but only 14% of these people get disability benefits. You can't get food stamps or medicaid if you are homeless, because you have to have a permanent address. Same with voting.
The right to a shelter is in the Soviet and Russian constitution, but with the increase of capitalism in Russia, this right is often ignored. We need a constitutional amendment to make having a home a right, as we do for adequate nutrition and medical care. we need to bring back the ADC safety net that bill Clinton's welfare "reform" destroyed. We need to bring back housing vouchers that were so diminished starting with Reagan.
Sadly, the war on poverty is over. It has been replaced by a war on the poor.
15
If someone who has never worked, for whatever reason, has a "right" to housing, does that mean that I have an "obligation" to provide it? I'm afraid it does. What else do I have to hand over to them, and why?
3
We live in the late U.S. Rep. Bill Young's District in Florida. If other politicians cared half as much about veterans as Bill Young did, we wouldn't be reading this editorial.
3
The point is *not* to get into unnecessary and prohibitively expensive military adventures abroad to begin with. The only beneficiaries of such adventures are the arms makers and dealers and the ones paying the price are the veterans and their families. The veterans would be better off if the politicians stop merely talking about "honoring" their service and instead do something to help them. Talk is cheap, I suppose.
10
This problem is older than America itself. Not even Gen. George Washington could negotiate decent pension terms for his officers after the Revolution. It has been ever thus. Why? l have no idea: it defies human decency.
4
The Obama administration is taking a cue from Cicero: "It it better (politically) to make a promise for a popular cause knowing you will not keep it than to decline. The public is much more forgiving for the former that the latter."
1
America always has enough money and willpower to involve itself in unnecessary and even mistaken wars that often cause even greater problems than those supposedly going to war was supposed to address.
Yet , for those who fought those wars, the nation cannot even manage the funds nor the will to help them, house them and show the appreciation that should be mandatory towards those who sacrificed their health and their futures due to the consequences of serving their country.
Meanwhile, apart from the Veterans, poverty swells and many Citizens are in hardship and the Government, especially the Republicans continue to deny those doing it hard any breaks and actually push for further cutbacks on health, welfare and food stamp programs instead.
When a Government will pay any amount to bomb and wage war where and when it wants before it ensures that its own citizens are being looked after let alone those who served in the armed forces previously...
Something is seriously wrong .
Yet , for those who fought those wars, the nation cannot even manage the funds nor the will to help them, house them and show the appreciation that should be mandatory towards those who sacrificed their health and their futures due to the consequences of serving their country.
Meanwhile, apart from the Veterans, poverty swells and many Citizens are in hardship and the Government, especially the Republicans continue to deny those doing it hard any breaks and actually push for further cutbacks on health, welfare and food stamp programs instead.
When a Government will pay any amount to bomb and wage war where and when it wants before it ensures that its own citizens are being looked after let alone those who served in the armed forces previously...
Something is seriously wrong .
6
We need to provide services for the veteran after his or her services in a consistent manner. When I left the service in Vietnam, there were some programs, but none that provided continued social support.
Our society is not one that looks at government to provide a persistent support. Instead, it has the dream of a reduced government in a Reagan-realigned world. It means that any improvements in the VA occur as patches that may or may not be funded in the future.
We send our citizens to war. We are responsible for our acts.
Our society is not one that looks at government to provide a persistent support. Instead, it has the dream of a reduced government in a Reagan-realigned world. It means that any improvements in the VA occur as patches that may or may not be funded in the future.
We send our citizens to war. We are responsible for our acts.
6
No! Our citizens volunteer to join an organization which may or may not send them to war. THEY are responsible for their acts!
3
Since 9/11/01 only 0.75% of Americans have volunteered to put on the military uniform of any American armed force. And they have been ground to emotional, mental and physical dust by repeated deployments in ethnic sectarian foreign civil wars exacerbated by socioeconomic educational inequities created by humanity denying autocrats, tyrants and dictators.
America annually spends as much on it's military as the next eight nations combined. Including 8x Russia and 3x China. America is a party to several defense alliances. America provides military aid to Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Iraq. While the likes of ISIS, al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Taliban, and al Shabaab manage to get by without American military aid.
The solution to our veterans care problem is to cease misusing our military in wars where there is no existential threat to America nor any military solution to any threat. Fewer damaged veterans should be the first choice. Diplomacy, humanitarian aid and commerce are likely more humane, economical and effective first option American weapons of mass construction.
Loudly singing the national anthem and yelling USA! USA! at a sporting event is a meaningless selfish cowardly inhumane unpatriotic farce for nameless faceless veterans. That is not supporting our troops and veterans.
America annually spends as much on it's military as the next eight nations combined. Including 8x Russia and 3x China. America is a party to several defense alliances. America provides military aid to Israel, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Iraq. While the likes of ISIS, al Qaeda, Boko Haram, Taliban, and al Shabaab manage to get by without American military aid.
The solution to our veterans care problem is to cease misusing our military in wars where there is no existential threat to America nor any military solution to any threat. Fewer damaged veterans should be the first choice. Diplomacy, humanitarian aid and commerce are likely more humane, economical and effective first option American weapons of mass construction.
Loudly singing the national anthem and yelling USA! USA! at a sporting event is a meaningless selfish cowardly inhumane unpatriotic farce for nameless faceless veterans. That is not supporting our troops and veterans.
18
Some civic issues need constant maintenance and constant reminders that progress is possible, but the need remains. Homelessness among the general population and specifically among veterans is one of those issues. President Obama's recent speech falls into the category of reminding Americans that if attention is paid, progress can be made so falling into the trap of giving up as overwhelmed local, county, state and national government cannot be an excuse for ceasing to try.
Every day veterans find homes due to resources aimed at finding them homes; every day new homeless veterans appear on our streets and in our communities. This should be a spur to increased action and not an excuse to give up.
Every day veterans find homes due to resources aimed at finding them homes; every day new homeless veterans appear on our streets and in our communities. This should be a spur to increased action and not an excuse to give up.
3
When much is asked, much is owed. If military service were required as a condition of being allowed to run for political office at the national level, this situation might just possibly be manageable.
5
Well the key sentence is "though the shovel-ready project awaits the passage of legislation stalled in Congress." Along with the rest of the nation's business.
The mental health support issues aside, this is yet another sad proof of the callousness of the Republican Congress and its Freedom Caucus gang. The country and its veterans e damned.
The mental health support issues aside, this is yet another sad proof of the callousness of the Republican Congress and its Freedom Caucus gang. The country and its veterans e damned.
17
America's broken commitment to veterans is scandalous. There are no two ways about it: America lies to military recruits, promises to honor them for their service to our country, all the while knowing we will not keep the promises.
Is it President Obama's failure? Is it not the willful doing of the Congress? Is it not the Republican strategy to make President Obama fail? Who holds the power to fund the VA? Who refused to fund Hurricane Sandy disaster cleanup? Who refuses to fund Flint Michigan water poisoning recovery? Who refuses to fund the treatment research and prevention of the spread of Zika?
I ask again, who refuses to fund the VA at the level ACTUALLY NEEDED?
The answer is always the usual suspects, the Republicans who refuse to fund our country's basic needs to address disasters or fund our commitments to our veterans, then exploit the consequences, claiming it is the failure of the Democrat in the White House, the failure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs appointed by the Democrat in the White House, the failure of everyone but themselves who willfully chose to make America fail.
If America wants government that works, America must willfully choose to vote Republicans out of office. To do otherwise is to choose failure.
Is it President Obama's failure? Is it not the willful doing of the Congress? Is it not the Republican strategy to make President Obama fail? Who holds the power to fund the VA? Who refused to fund Hurricane Sandy disaster cleanup? Who refuses to fund Flint Michigan water poisoning recovery? Who refuses to fund the treatment research and prevention of the spread of Zika?
I ask again, who refuses to fund the VA at the level ACTUALLY NEEDED?
The answer is always the usual suspects, the Republicans who refuse to fund our country's basic needs to address disasters or fund our commitments to our veterans, then exploit the consequences, claiming it is the failure of the Democrat in the White House, the failure of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs appointed by the Democrat in the White House, the failure of everyone but themselves who willfully chose to make America fail.
If America wants government that works, America must willfully choose to vote Republicans out of office. To do otherwise is to choose failure.
23
Funding for Wars in general and Veterans in particular must come from Congress. The President can ask (even demand) but if Congress fails to allot the necessary monies nothing changes.
Which bring up the word "TAXES", the most feared word in the English language. No one wants to pay taxes, but together we can achieve the elements necessary for the survival of a successful nation. As a good example, look what Kansas has achieved under their No tax policy of Sam Brownbeck, and it isn't pretty.
Which bring up the word "TAXES", the most feared word in the English language. No one wants to pay taxes, but together we can achieve the elements necessary for the survival of a successful nation. As a good example, look what Kansas has achieved under their No tax policy of Sam Brownbeck, and it isn't pretty.
5
After leaving the Army in 1970, I used the GI bill to enroll in college, but I don’t recall the Army ever promising me a home for the rest of my life. Where can I find a copy of the “covenant” that says the Army was supposed to continue furnishing me housing.
3
I have worked personally and professionally with homeless veterans-- first hand, close up and clinically. I think the NYT is being less than honest with its euphemisms.
Close to all of homelessness in veterans is due to substance abuse-- mostly alcoholism. The pathway to support in the VA (and most other forms of help, such as mission work) is to make some commitment to sobriety. This is THE stumbling block. Without the commitment (eg, one day at a time), admitting the alcoholic to ongoing shelter becomes enabling-- which in this case would mean providing a place to drink. This is the sticking point.
Most programs don't want to threaten the sobriety of their recovering alcoholics by permitting drinking. Similarly, most landlords-- however low their bar is set-- don't want to rent to active alcoholics. There are too many risks-- such as burning the place down.
All of this is a terrible problem with no easy solution. But for those of us who have tried very hard to deal with these lost lives, an editorial such as this one in the NYT does no one any favors with its elisions. Pouring money on the problem so people can continue to drink themselves to death but not in public view accomplishes very little.
Millions (and millions) of people can and do get sober and receive help from the VA and the multitude of missions (who are the true unsung heros). We should set this as a goal in future programs. Otherwise we have solved nothing.
Close to all of homelessness in veterans is due to substance abuse-- mostly alcoholism. The pathway to support in the VA (and most other forms of help, such as mission work) is to make some commitment to sobriety. This is THE stumbling block. Without the commitment (eg, one day at a time), admitting the alcoholic to ongoing shelter becomes enabling-- which in this case would mean providing a place to drink. This is the sticking point.
Most programs don't want to threaten the sobriety of their recovering alcoholics by permitting drinking. Similarly, most landlords-- however low their bar is set-- don't want to rent to active alcoholics. There are too many risks-- such as burning the place down.
All of this is a terrible problem with no easy solution. But for those of us who have tried very hard to deal with these lost lives, an editorial such as this one in the NYT does no one any favors with its elisions. Pouring money on the problem so people can continue to drink themselves to death but not in public view accomplishes very little.
Millions (and millions) of people can and do get sober and receive help from the VA and the multitude of missions (who are the true unsung heros). We should set this as a goal in future programs. Otherwise we have solved nothing.
10
Thank you for your work with these Americans. Getting drinkers away from this addiction is tough even when the alcoholic is in an intact family. With the homeless it will take a lot of resources that government itself is poor at committing.
OK. But not all alcoholics, whether they are vets or not, are willing to stop drinking, and not all who are willing are able. I am reading your post to mean that the rest are just out of luck, because seeing that the unlucky unwilling/unable are housed is "providing a place to drink," which according to you is unacceptable.
If you have worked personally in this field you know how high a "you must be clean and sober to get help" barrier can be. I'd be interested in learning if you really do propose to abandon the drinkers to their fate, or what you propose that we could do for them. Alcoholism is a disease, and it is not always curable.
If you have worked personally in this field you know how high a "you must be clean and sober to get help" barrier can be. I'd be interested in learning if you really do propose to abandon the drinkers to their fate, or what you propose that we could do for them. Alcoholism is a disease, and it is not always curable.
2
Truth about the VA: it cares largely for poor vets who can't afford better. Its docs and care are largely substandard. We keep funding it only because congress covets the federal jobs in each district. We would do better by the vets by simply vouchering their care to local hospitals and private docs.
4
Our cut tax mentality has harmed our infrastructure, crippled education, and abandoned the mentally ill. On a recent visit to our Capitol and just one mile from the White House, I found the streets to be littered with homeless people. It was commonplace to find a homeless person screaming at innocent people who were 'guilty' of walking by. Is this the mark of a great nation?
7
VFW should mean Very Few Wars. But the VFW seems to back every military action this nation gets into. Iraq II was an aggression by the United States and the culprits responsible got away with it. As to the homeless vets, God bless them and hope they find a place to call home. I have been fortunate to have a military retirement and when faced with being homeless I can turn that around quickly.
3
So, here's an emphasis on 40,000 homeless vets. Yes, it's important, but it's only one aspect of VA's failure to adequately serve veterans. All the politicians give lip service to health care issues, the responsibility of VA's VHA--Veteran's Health Administration. However, none of the politicians know squat about the VA's poor record on the VBA--Veteran's Benefits Administration. A few months back, VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald acknowledged a backlog of 450,000
cases, with VA losing ground all the time.
Potentially, veterans whose disability claims are denied have 5 levels for the adjudication of their claims, from the initial rating decision at the Regional Office level to an appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington DC. The problem is that it takes a minimum of one year to complete one of the five steps, and may take as long as 3 or 4 years. So, it takes a veteran anywhere from 5 to 10 years to exercise his or her right to appeal their case to the Court. So, Congress and the VA have given vets these "rights" but, as a practical matter, because of delays, the rights are often non-existent. And the politicians don't have a clue there's a problem.
cases, with VA losing ground all the time.
Potentially, veterans whose disability claims are denied have 5 levels for the adjudication of their claims, from the initial rating decision at the Regional Office level to an appeal to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in Washington DC. The problem is that it takes a minimum of one year to complete one of the five steps, and may take as long as 3 or 4 years. So, it takes a veteran anywhere from 5 to 10 years to exercise his or her right to appeal their case to the Court. So, Congress and the VA have given vets these "rights" but, as a practical matter, because of delays, the rights are often non-existent. And the politicians don't have a clue there's a problem.
5
My son is a new ER physician in the radiology department of a major U.S. hospital that often reads images for the VA. He told me earlier this week that he's never encountered so much red-tape as he has in dealing with the VA. Moreover, he said,"Everyone seems to disappear at 5 o'clock." If the the VA is being strangled in paperwork (aka red-tape) and a physician shortage, then it is no wonder that it continues to be unable to deliver vital health care services to our veterans.
5
The NYT and all media outlets need to clarify the group they're proposing to help. The fact is that among active duty, reserves abdvthe Guard, only about 10% actually serve or have served in a combat environment. When you add in decades of Cold War vets like myself, the numbers who've seen actual war are driven much lower. To cull the true casualties from the larger population that once wore a uniform, we need to more tightly define who is eligible for these programs and our sympathies. Requiring a campaign ribbon wood be a good start. It could allow a focus on those who are truly deserving, save money and focus our thanks on those who actually defended our country.
2
I see no way to recruit a volunteer army by accepting only those who want to go to war and be shot at. How can you advocate limiting veterans benefits to only those who were in active combat? I served for over 20 years, and those who were in support positions instead of combat were just as important to the mission as those who were firing guns. There would be no military if there were nobody behind the lines to support them.
3
If you want to begin to 'solve' homelessness in America get rid of the Republicans in government at all and any level. The anti-taxers of the party of Greed, Selfishness, and service to the oligarchs is the root cause of the demise of our American Prosperity.
Most of us would like to turn this around and realize that we all have to share the additional burden that it will take. A few less latte's and double burgers is all the every day American would have to contribute. And we would have to ignore the squeals of the wealthy who will scream and cry like little kids that the burden of a return to a fair tax system is too much for them.
America has always been about ' a hand up' & 'don't pull the ladder up after you'. Give the Grand Old Pirates the old heave ho!
Most of us would like to turn this around and realize that we all have to share the additional burden that it will take. A few less latte's and double burgers is all the every day American would have to contribute. And we would have to ignore the squeals of the wealthy who will scream and cry like little kids that the burden of a return to a fair tax system is too much for them.
America has always been about ' a hand up' & 'don't pull the ladder up after you'. Give the Grand Old Pirates the old heave ho!
8
Why is there vets homelessness with all of the jobs Obama has created. They just reported the jobless rate is 4.9%. Excluding those with mental and physical disabilities, everyone else should be employed after all both Starbuck's and Walmart provide full time jobs with healthcare benefits and we know Obamacare healthcare benefits are doubling in January 2017.
1
Homelessness intractability is a unique problem that extends beyond veteran's issues. I, however, after a minor bicycle accident, passed up my local emergency room, where I'd had a bad experience with wait time and service, for "Urgent Care" at my local (Battle Creek MI.) VA. The service was soooo much better that I felt like I was a member of an entitled group that had somehow slipped the surly grasp of U.S. corporate health care. I was almost immediately taken in for x-rays, I was thoroughly examined by a full doctor and assured that I didn't have any broken bones, I was sent to "labs" to have my blood drawn, and then to a pharmacy for on-site fulfillment of some meds to help me sleep that night. All of this is under 2 hours.
I didn't always feel this way about the VA.; after Vietnam war they were really bad. However, now it is my preference for a Public Administrator over a Banker running my health care system.
I didn't always feel this way about the VA.; after Vietnam war they were really bad. However, now it is my preference for a Public Administrator over a Banker running my health care system.
5
President Obama can spin it anyway he wants. The fact of the matter is that the mission to care for our Veterans is a failure on many issues that they deal with. However it must be said its not just this President or this Congress that has let our Veterans down.
And lastly, where are us Citizens raising our voices demanding better care for these brave men and women?
And lastly, where are us Citizens raising our voices demanding better care for these brave men and women?
2
Too little too late from the NYT. And where was the press? In bed with the Democrats.
Homeless vets? What about the years-long backlog for many more veterans to see a doctor? What about the total lack of the Obama administration to deal with that more pressing problem?
And why don't we hear anything about the veterans issues from the president or the Democratic candidate? Could part of it be that the press isn't concerned enough about the issue? Or that it doesn't fit into their desperate narrative that the Obama presidency is an unqualified success, and Hillary is just as great, even though she never mentions veterans needs?
The only time she or Obama go on a rant for veterans is when they can use one to get at Donald Trump. Forgive the negativity here, but the NYT is just as much an enabler or the condition of homeless vets as the Obama administration and the VA executives, through its endless hit pieces on Trump and Bernie, and happy talk garbage in support of Obama, when they should have been doing investigative news.
Homeless vets? What about the years-long backlog for many more veterans to see a doctor? What about the total lack of the Obama administration to deal with that more pressing problem?
And why don't we hear anything about the veterans issues from the president or the Democratic candidate? Could part of it be that the press isn't concerned enough about the issue? Or that it doesn't fit into their desperate narrative that the Obama presidency is an unqualified success, and Hillary is just as great, even though she never mentions veterans needs?
The only time she or Obama go on a rant for veterans is when they can use one to get at Donald Trump. Forgive the negativity here, but the NYT is just as much an enabler or the condition of homeless vets as the Obama administration and the VA executives, through its endless hit pieces on Trump and Bernie, and happy talk garbage in support of Obama, when they should have been doing investigative news.
3
Take your rant to Congress. They are the ones who should be creating and passing legislation and providing funds for the veterans' needs. The President does not initiate bills - that is the responsibility of Congress.
3
I'm a disabled vet, received great care when I lived on the east coast, but the VA in Texas is so overcrowded that I've decided others need the care more--I stopped going. Here, if you want blood drawn at the VA, you will join 150+ people first thing in the morning and you will wait two hours. This tremendous pressure is here because of the petulant, economically foolish refusal of the state to accept the expansion of Medicaid. These vets have no alternatives, so they crowd into the VA for what service they can wait for. If you live in a state that has refused to expand Medicaid, then you are contributing to the considerable problems of the VA.
6
Thanks for finally addressing this: "And isn’t it a little late for boasting about any of this?"
This scandal is one of the countless Obama trail of broken promises that can be characterized as too little, too late, too often, for too many Americans here in the U.S.A.
Why do you think so many Americans are angry?
This scandal is one of the countless Obama trail of broken promises that can be characterized as too little, too late, too often, for too many Americans here in the U.S.A.
Why do you think so many Americans are angry?
1
As I wrote previously - lack of support for veterans is caused by an ignorant and uncaring Congress, not by the President. Put the blame where it belongs, please.....
3
When Bush started a couple of unnecessary wars at the beginning of this century, did he ask for more money for the VA? I bet not. So once the vets from his wars started coming home, of course the amount needed to take care of them should have been at least quadrupled. Was it? I bet not. So then we get to 2009, Obama's first year in office where our country was in terrible financial shape and he had many problems to solve just to get us out of the hole that Bush had put us into. How in the world is Obama expected to fix the problem that had been festering unattended for years? It is like saying he should have a balanced budget by now, with a non-performing congress and the fact that Bush did not take his deficit with him when he left. The deficit grows and now it is Obama's fault? Why?
7
Oh right, everything is Bush's fault, except that his predecessors failed to take adequate steps to address Al Queda, and their predecessors were the ones who furnished arms to the guerrillas fighting against the Russians, which enabled Al Queda, and the Cold War with Russia was the fault of their predecessors, which came at the end of a world war, which happened during the watch of their predecessors, and so on. So everything is the fault of a Republican if you are a Democrat and everything is the fault of a Democrat if you are a Republican. I don't believe it.
1
This country has always poorly served our veterans in need of mental care.
It was there for those who could help themselves with the GI bill, but for those others, they were warehoused.
I remember quite well dealing with the "walking wounded" around my hometown in the 50's 60's and 70's. It was called "shell shocked" back then and they sought help in a bottle or drugs. Some things never change.
It was there for those who could help themselves with the GI bill, but for those others, they were warehoused.
I remember quite well dealing with the "walking wounded" around my hometown in the 50's 60's and 70's. It was called "shell shocked" back then and they sought help in a bottle or drugs. Some things never change.
3
Breaking promises is VA SOP.
July 4, 2012, Secretary Eric Shinseki: “I have committed to ending the claims backlog in 2015, by putting in place a system that processes all claims within 125 days at a 98 percent accuracy level. With the President’s strong support, we have the resources we need, and we are on track to do it.
http://www.va.gov/opa/speeches/2012/07_24_2012.asp
July 21, 2016: “The American College of Trial Lawyers Challenges as Unconstitutional Long Delays in Veterans’ Appeals for Benefits.”
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160721005879/en/American-College...
I CARE (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence)?
Not by this Veteran’s lights.
July 4, 2012, Secretary Eric Shinseki: “I have committed to ending the claims backlog in 2015, by putting in place a system that processes all claims within 125 days at a 98 percent accuracy level. With the President’s strong support, we have the resources we need, and we are on track to do it.
http://www.va.gov/opa/speeches/2012/07_24_2012.asp
July 21, 2016: “The American College of Trial Lawyers Challenges as Unconstitutional Long Delays in Veterans’ Appeals for Benefits.”
http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160721005879/en/American-College...
I CARE (Integrity, Commitment, Advocacy, Respect, and Excellence)?
Not by this Veteran’s lights.
1
If only these veterans had been women...
Maybe then the government would have done something:
http://womenshealth.gov
http://menshealth.gov
Maybe then the government would have done something:
http://womenshealth.gov
http://menshealth.gov
1
Well, you know why this is. The Democrats owned both houses of Congress and The White House in 2009-10, and not one time did we hear any liberals calling for more support for veterans. This partisan divide began under Bill ''Loathe'' Clinton and clearly came back on steroids under Obama.
Could it be so simple as the Democratic Party's all-out crusade to deny military people the vote during the 2000 election recounts in Florida? I sure am not surprised that Barack Protect-my-Dependents Obama ignored all military-related issues for as long as possible.
Excepting the gays and transvestite, of course.
Could it be so simple as the Democratic Party's all-out crusade to deny military people the vote during the 2000 election recounts in Florida? I sure am not surprised that Barack Protect-my-Dependents Obama ignored all military-related issues for as long as possible.
Excepting the gays and transvestite, of course.
2
Not many of our leaders (including the president) are veterans. They only needed to pretend to care.
1
NEGLECT OF VETERANS Is but one aspect of the failure of the GOP to honor the national commitment to its citizens. The GOP has refused to fund efforts to head off an epidemic of the zika virus in the US, refuses to support gun safety and slashes social programs. Rather than working to achieve greater homeland security, the GOP does everything within its power to undermine peace and prosperity on the US. I find the neglect of veterans to be especially egregious as they have sacrificed greatly to defend the US abroad. The GOP continues in its consistent hypocrisy of saying that they support national security while weakening and sabotaging it.
8
Haven't yet heard about what Mrs. Clinton's position is on veterans.
3
This has been a hallmark of American governments going back to well before the Bonus Marchers, and has characterized both Democratic and Republican administrations and congresses. The fear, of course, is being forced to accept both the real costs of our wars and, fairly, an open-ended entitlement that we can ill-afford these days when we have an ObamaCare going bust because insurance companies are abandoning it like rats leaving a sinking ship. In other words, we have MANY priorities for social relief on an entitlement basis, and many in multiple governments have believed that if we can order soldiers into battle to risk their lives for a mission, then we can also expect them to largely provide for themselves when out of uniform.
But it’s a great issue in an election year, isn’t it?
But it’s a great issue in an election year, isn’t it?
13
Thanks, Richard. An oxidized banana is always a welcome addition to the punch bowl.
Here in Oregon as a state, ranks last in the country in mental health resources. The Federal DOJ issued a report back in 2014 regarding the state of community mental health programs, see: http://stateofreform.com/news/states/oregon/2014/02/states-mental-health... We also have many cities passing panhandling laws aimed at driving out panhandlers from cities. Many panhandlers are homeless veterans. Is this how to treat homless vets many with PTSD and other mental health problems? All in the name of sanitizing tourist cities, make them "visually pleasing" in order to get more tourist dollars. Sweep the homeless out, many of them veterans. Shameful actions by these cities, not only here in Oregon but throughout the country, as if though they have no Consitutuional rights.
19
If we cannot afford to give medical care and housing to disabled veterans, perhaps we should stop sending them to wars that destroy not only their lives but a lot of property as well.
2
The U.S. has 2.5 million homeless children and levels of child poverty unthinkable in other wealthy democracies.
Bernie Sanders tried to point out policy alternatives but the NYT ignored him.
Children and veterans are nothing but obstacles to the accumulation of everything by the plutocrats. At all costs, taxes must be cut.
The U.S. is simply a sadistic and callous nation contemptuous of human suffering, the antithesis of Christian compassion.
Maybe the NYTimes will some day do an analysis of how mean and miserly are American social programs compared to other OECD nations. But that would be too much like paying attention to Sanders. Just keep the prisons full of slave labour and let children and veterans die in the streets. The ruling class couldn't care less about the filthy lazy poor.
Bernie Sanders tried to point out policy alternatives but the NYT ignored him.
Children and veterans are nothing but obstacles to the accumulation of everything by the plutocrats. At all costs, taxes must be cut.
The U.S. is simply a sadistic and callous nation contemptuous of human suffering, the antithesis of Christian compassion.
Maybe the NYTimes will some day do an analysis of how mean and miserly are American social programs compared to other OECD nations. But that would be too much like paying attention to Sanders. Just keep the prisons full of slave labour and let children and veterans die in the streets. The ruling class couldn't care less about the filthy lazy poor.
65
heart hear
4
You are so right that we are a callous, contemptuous, antithesis of Christianity nation. This election cycle certainly underscores this and that we haven't reached bottom yet.
1
Since the publishing of Joseph Stiglitz' nook about Iraq, "The Three Trillion Dollar War," many suggest that the cost of treating those uncounted thousands of our soldiers who were damaged by this conflict will add another trillion to the cost and our president has just extended America's involvement in the Middle East to Libya for an indefinite period. It is past time to stop these meaningless military adventures and clean up the VA mess. The failure to provide help to our vets is ugly and immoral - a searing indictment of the leadership of both parties.
28
It is a searing indightment of America -- how many wars has the U.S. started? Too many to count
1
Our elected officials, Republicans and Democrats alike, ritualistically praise our veterans, label them heroes, and even thank them for their service. Then our leaders reveal their real priorities by consistently failing to provide the necessary funding and services for them. To be fair, our society is still learning more about the scope of the challenges faced by those who served in war zones.
If we matched our deeds to our words, nevertheless, the federal government would devote the resources necessary to determining and meeting the needs of those who fight our wars for us. We expect them to abide by their sworn oath to protect the nation. It is past time that the people and government of this country reciprocated by caring for those whose service damaged them.
If we matched our deeds to our words, nevertheless, the federal government would devote the resources necessary to determining and meeting the needs of those who fight our wars for us. We expect them to abide by their sworn oath to protect the nation. It is past time that the people and government of this country reciprocated by caring for those whose service damaged them.
21
What you fail to understand is that the number one priority of our elected officials is our elected officials.
Barney Frank was the best advocate for veterans when he was a Congressman. But his story fell on deaf ears in a republican congress, which has allocated less than half the money needed to build more outpatient facilities and fund more programs for the Vets. As more and more professionals are leaving the VA to pursue private practices, more and more veterans require help. If doctors and nurses were paid closer to what they would make on the outside, more would stay for longer. It's a Catch-22 if there ever was one and it still falls on congress to allocate the funds necessary. I hope democrats and independents come closer to taking over the senate and house. It's the only way anything is going to get done.
27
In my experience, some VA docters couldn't make a dime on the outside, not if competence is a prerequisite.
3
That is the reason that they are in the V.A.
During WWII most Americans were involved in the war effort. Our veterans returned from war and received expanded benefits from the GI Bill for education to disability and pension benefits. Affordable homes were built for veterans and they received discounts on housing and insurance. Our VA medical system expanded to take care of their medical needs.
Since WWII the number of people who have served in the military has dropped with each generation. We've lost our awareness of what they face when they go off to fight and what they need when they return to civilian life. With each war the weapons used cause more mental and physical damage than the previous one.
Taking care of our veterans shouldn't be a political issues. We need to once again invest in affordable housing and job placement programs specifically for veterans. VA hospitals and mental health facilities need to be built in the areas that our veterans live so they don't have to travel hours or wait on hold for the care they need.
How we treat those who fight for us when they return from battle says a lot about our values as a nation. We owe them a debt impossible to repay. Let's at least take care of them.
Since WWII the number of people who have served in the military has dropped with each generation. We've lost our awareness of what they face when they go off to fight and what they need when they return to civilian life. With each war the weapons used cause more mental and physical damage than the previous one.
Taking care of our veterans shouldn't be a political issues. We need to once again invest in affordable housing and job placement programs specifically for veterans. VA hospitals and mental health facilities need to be built in the areas that our veterans live so they don't have to travel hours or wait on hold for the care they need.
How we treat those who fight for us when they return from battle says a lot about our values as a nation. We owe them a debt impossible to repay. Let's at least take care of them.
76
The fact is that most vets, like me and my Cold War cohort, never saw "action" and have only earned the title veteran in a purely technical sense.
1
Sadly, the lack of a draft has further distanced Americans from the real price of wars. We have the same people re-upping multiple times while the rest of us wave our flags and say thank you to Veterans as we put our blinders on to the horrors we've allowed.
1
I believe that the President's accomplishments should be celebrated, not denigrated, in view of the fact that Republican leaders in both houses, from Day 1, vowed to prevent Obama from doing anything. In fact, most any action involving veterans should originate in the Congress, but you can see how far that has progressed...... I doubt that Barney-Fife-Trump will solve the VA problems.
37
Obama is quick to fix the blame, not the problem.
The Secretary's job is curtailed by the budget, which has been cut by the GOP over and over. The hypocrisy of that has not escaped male voters, who, on the right, have flocked to Trump. Not only have the GOP leaders cut budgets, but with fateful decisions on Iraq and Afghanistan, they increased the work-load of the VA beyond anything known in history.
Public and government attitudes to vets has always been lamentable. It represents one further frontier in civilization and caring. Traditionally, vets were from the poorest parts of society, who sick or whole, didn't matter to government anyway. Remember the old song: "We'll set you up with a bowl to beg... Johnny, I hardly knew you."
Public and government attitudes to vets has always been lamentable. It represents one further frontier in civilization and caring. Traditionally, vets were from the poorest parts of society, who sick or whole, didn't matter to government anyway. Remember the old song: "We'll set you up with a bowl to beg... Johnny, I hardly knew you."
23
well said
1
Having your own home, somewhere to call your own, is so fundamental. I've been homeless at various times of my life. It's much worse than being unemployed. It's much worse than merely being poor. It's much worse even than being hungry or cold or sick. If you've never experienced being homeless, then it's difficult to appreciate just what it's like.
84
This is another reason I wish Joe Biden had run. Wife Jill was devoted to enhancing troop and veteran support (incl. families), and with son Beau's distinguished service ... well, this was something the family knows, lived and would have remained committed to. I expect that will go on after January, but without the status of the office. Then again, maybe just 'being Joe' (and Jill) will be enough. Let's hope so.
Vets deserve so much more. So much.
Vets deserve so much more. So much.
14
All gave some; some gave all. There is no price tag one can place on the sacrifices veterans and their families have made for the rest of us. There should be no red tape too strong, or budget too small, to keep them from receiving their due. Gratitude is not enough.
20
Where, in this editorial, is any mention that we can't house veterans without spending tax money? Which won't happen while the GOP controls the House, OR has enough votes in the Senate to sustain a filibuster?
It's no coincidence that Obama launched a "Mayor's Initiative." Because nothing can happen at the federal level until the Democrats have Congressional majorities. The Times does its readers a disservice by implying otherwise.
It's no coincidence that Obama launched a "Mayor's Initiative." Because nothing can happen at the federal level until the Democrats have Congressional majorities. The Times does its readers a disservice by implying otherwise.
81
Thank you! I watched Obama's speech to the disabled vet group in its entirety and came away with a much different impression than this article leaves. Our GOP controlled Congress is a disgrace.
2
This issue dates back to the Korean War. The saddest and cruelest part of neglecting these brave people is that virtually every military action the U.S. government has taken since WWII has been an act of aggression- a war of choice that needlessly put our soldiers in harm’s way (and this includes Korea if you read the history books). The countries we bombed and attacked lacked the military means to attack our population within our borders. Nearly all the decisions to commit aggression were made unilaterally by the President without the consent of the American people through their elected agents in Congress- a direct violation of the constitution and one in which Congress (both Democrats and Republicans) rolled over and abdicated its assigned prerogative to the Executive. Members of Congress will mumble about these unilateral actions by the President but both parties always continue to fund the conflicts. It will only get worse because we are in a perpetual war of aggression against the Muslim World, now into its 15th year. Every time you hear the President or some politician say that the military action we are taking is to protect our national interests ask yourself: whose interests are we talking about; what exactly are they and; list them in detail for us.
The Men and Women that must fight these military actions don't even figure into the equation.
The Men and Women that must fight these military actions don't even figure into the equation.
26
Paul, it seems the issue at hand is not the justification (or condemnation) of any particularly United States military action, but how well this government responds (or fails) to the needs of our veterans, conscripted or otherwise, in a "good war" or otherwise. Yet, to your comments, perhaps there is a valid correlation between how "popular", or justifiable a military action was and how well the veterans of that action have been treated- in one case, with Viet Nam veterans being spit upon (both literally and figuratively).
Perhaps on some level we, as a nation, are trying to both reward and punish, to both honor and distance ourselves from those who returned alive ,if not enact, not as tidy or silent as a stone memorial.
Perhaps on some level we, as a nation, are trying to both reward and punish, to both honor and distance ourselves from those who returned alive ,if not enact, not as tidy or silent as a stone memorial.
This makes it obvious that we don't mean to help our veterans regardless of what we collectively say to the contrary. We need leaders who can let that in and own up to their failures. Then as a nation we need to just do it and quit making excuses. We are disgusted with our "government" for this endless stalling on the peoples' business.
4
I'm a Vietnam vet, my older son was an airborne Ranger for 5 years and my younger son spent 14 months in Iraq.
What about being a vet entitles one to housing? Granted both Afghanistan and Iraq produced some damaged vets. I think we should take care of them, but for the rest I don't know. Vietnam was a long time ago.
Americans seem to have some guilt about vets, perhaps because they didn't serve themselves. Fine. Contribute to charities. But don't assuage your guilt by asking me to pay for them. I'm talking about taxes now and politicians such as the Donald.
I contribute to some veteran charities, (careful here because some are scams).
The entire VA is questionable. Sure special medical/psychiatric programs are useful for those disabled. But why does there need to be an entire health care system for any and all vets? It's kind of vet pork, if you ask me. Politicians again.
What about being a vet entitles one to avoid homelessness. Plenty of homeless people are just as deserving of help as someone who happened to be in the service at some time.
Why not fix homelessness and forget about making it a veteran entitlement.
What about being a vet entitles one to housing? Granted both Afghanistan and Iraq produced some damaged vets. I think we should take care of them, but for the rest I don't know. Vietnam was a long time ago.
Americans seem to have some guilt about vets, perhaps because they didn't serve themselves. Fine. Contribute to charities. But don't assuage your guilt by asking me to pay for them. I'm talking about taxes now and politicians such as the Donald.
I contribute to some veteran charities, (careful here because some are scams).
The entire VA is questionable. Sure special medical/psychiatric programs are useful for those disabled. But why does there need to be an entire health care system for any and all vets? It's kind of vet pork, if you ask me. Politicians again.
What about being a vet entitles one to avoid homelessness. Plenty of homeless people are just as deserving of help as someone who happened to be in the service at some time.
Why not fix homelessness and forget about making it a veteran entitlement.
35
Providing housing to those veterans that are homeless is far from an entitlement. As a Vietnam Veteran I use the VA for some of my health care, particularly service connected issues. VA Health care gives priority to those with the severest service connected issues. Care is not Carte Blanche. Many Veterans are homeless as a result of service connected issues like PTSD and drug addictions. Helping them is not an "entitlement" Having served and having family members who have served should make you more cognizant of issues that can arise years and even decades after service is over. You are fortunate not to be addressing those issues. Be a little more compassionate towards those that are, as the percentage of your tax dollars going to these programs is very small indeed compared to what some of these veterans have endured by serving their country.
1
What is special about a vet that entitles him or her to special treatments?
Kurt, go back and read Ami's comments just above yours.
This is a moral issue. It is the least we Americans owe the vets who need help after being injured or damaged during military service.
****Captain, USAF MC, ret
Kurt, go back and read Ami's comments just above yours.
This is a moral issue. It is the least we Americans owe the vets who need help after being injured or damaged during military service.
****Captain, USAF MC, ret
3
You are a Christian and a patriot, sir!
1
Please.
Enough blaming it on the black guy.
It was the entire cabal of, all white, Viet Nam dodging cowards, trying to play tough guys, Bush, Cheney, Rove, Libby, Wolfowitz, Kristol and Bolton, who created an entire new generation of maimed, traumatized veterans. All while cutting funding to the VA.
Don't blame the VA, blame the Congress who will only spend money on perpetual war and subsidies for Big Ag, Big Carbon, Big Pharma and, the ever needy, 1%.
Enough blaming it on the black guy.
It was the entire cabal of, all white, Viet Nam dodging cowards, trying to play tough guys, Bush, Cheney, Rove, Libby, Wolfowitz, Kristol and Bolton, who created an entire new generation of maimed, traumatized veterans. All while cutting funding to the VA.
Don't blame the VA, blame the Congress who will only spend money on perpetual war and subsidies for Big Ag, Big Carbon, Big Pharma and, the ever needy, 1%.
111
It seems never to end. I don't think any of us were looking for a free ride when we raised our right hands and took the oath, but so many of us are still waiting for Lincoln's promise "to care for him who shall have borne the battle."
49
The covenant between the country and its veterans should have as its greatest champion the armed services themselves. But the armed services always have other, more pressing priorities than making sure the country fulfills its commitment of honor to its veterans. Their first priority must be to see that their money is spent so that next year's request for money will have the maximum support.
Dubya flooded the Veterans Administration with a whole new set of vets but not the resources to care for them. Perhaps not supplying the resources was an attempt to get the V.A. to fail so that providing health care to veterans could be privatized. If so, it was pretty successful. But building up a government bureaucracy while a Democrat was president was not something a Republican congress would do, and building up a government bureaucracy whose buildup would draw attention to an unpopular war's casualties was not something Dubya would do.
These were political decisions and the armed forces apparently stayed out of them, saving their firepower for the marvelous new weapons systems that usually cost more and functioned less usefully than promised.
Dubya flooded the Veterans Administration with a whole new set of vets but not the resources to care for them. Perhaps not supplying the resources was an attempt to get the V.A. to fail so that providing health care to veterans could be privatized. If so, it was pretty successful. But building up a government bureaucracy while a Democrat was president was not something a Republican congress would do, and building up a government bureaucracy whose buildup would draw attention to an unpopular war's casualties was not something Dubya would do.
These were political decisions and the armed forces apparently stayed out of them, saving their firepower for the marvelous new weapons systems that usually cost more and functioned less usefully than promised.
37
The way we treat our disabled in this nation is a scandal in and of itself, and that includes people who were forever injured in their service to the nation. Whether developmentally-disabled, mentally-disabled or a war veteran, Americans should be afforded the care they need and deserve regardless of how their disability occurred.
Here in the state of California, there are now 115 thousand homeless, half of whom are in Los Angeles County alone. All are competing for non-existent affordable housing that has yet to be constructed. The same high proportions of homelessness exist in all other counties, with no county having adequate housing. The homeless all are competing for a spot in years long lines, with veterans being given priority.
Housing costs have risen to the point where a preponderant number of the homeless is now made up of working families whose incomes just can't support such high housing costs. There is now a petition to Governor Brown to declare homelessness an emergency. Brown scaled back state participation in county housing initiatives, favoring putting more money in the state's rainy day fund, in anticipation of another recession.
It has been raining for some time in California. It's time to invest, not sock away funds deserving vets, disabled, and poor Californians desperately need.
Please sign the petition: http://tinyurl.com/hjvg83l
Housing help shouldn't be a competition or sport.
---
Housing crisis: http://tinyurl.com/j2ojnyr
Here in the state of California, there are now 115 thousand homeless, half of whom are in Los Angeles County alone. All are competing for non-existent affordable housing that has yet to be constructed. The same high proportions of homelessness exist in all other counties, with no county having adequate housing. The homeless all are competing for a spot in years long lines, with veterans being given priority.
Housing costs have risen to the point where a preponderant number of the homeless is now made up of working families whose incomes just can't support such high housing costs. There is now a petition to Governor Brown to declare homelessness an emergency. Brown scaled back state participation in county housing initiatives, favoring putting more money in the state's rainy day fund, in anticipation of another recession.
It has been raining for some time in California. It's time to invest, not sock away funds deserving vets, disabled, and poor Californians desperately need.
Please sign the petition: http://tinyurl.com/hjvg83l
Housing help shouldn't be a competition or sport.
---
Housing crisis: http://tinyurl.com/j2ojnyr
49
To place drug addicts as deserving support as Veterans, IMHO, is an insult to the service rendered by veterans, specially combat veterans. Unless you have been involved in combat operations, you lack the knowledge to weigh in on veteran issues. Being wounded and losing a body part is a great loss that is visible, but consider the taking of lives, the sons, daughters, mothers and fathers of your opponent.
1
A natural fact of capitalism is that some will succeed and many will fail. Among those who succeed will be a few who attain unimaginable wealth while among those who fail most will do so catastrophically. Neither the government nor charities should attempt to alter this on either end of the spectrum. Taxes to redistribute wealth and charity to create a safety net are inappropriate.
Yes, all countries have homeless, but while the US and Britain have the highest rates of homelessness (6.2% and 7.1% respectively) in Germany the rate is 2%. In Russia the right to a home is in the constitution, but this is unobserved since the advent of capitalist landlords.