Posted on Sep 22, 2015
Why Are Veterans Not An Issue in the Debates?
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Why Are Veterans Not An Issue in the Debates?
RP Members do you agree with the article and the lack of concern for Veterans in this upcoming election or are there more important issues?
Your thoughts and comments welcome!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dustin-demoss/veterans-debate_b_8164118.html
With the 2016 presidential election quickly approaching, campaign season is in full swing and boasts no shortage of candidates. Presidential hopefuls from all sides of the political spectrum have pulled no punches when it comes to the multitude of issues currently concerning the American public. In fact, candidates have weighed in on any number of topics, from immigration reform to civil liberties, with incredible diverse and aggressive opinions. Perhaps this willingness to engage and volunteer opinions is what makes the lack of attention to one topic in particular so striking, especially in the glare of the ongoing G.O.P. presidential debates.
Do you know where the candidates stand when it comes to veterans' affairs and healthcare needs?
A Growing Lack of Attention to Veterans
The lack of attention to American veterans and the care they receive once they return home is not necessarily a new development when it comes to presidential debates. Veterans and their supporters faced this same problem in the 2012 debates, for example, where only repeated urging convinced the candidates to briefly consider the topic. And as more and more people are aware, the number of candidates with any sort of military service background is constantly shrinking. Not only is this concerning for a country that is still in the midst of a war that has already spanned 14 years, but it's especially worrisome considering that one of the major topics up for debate is the looming ISIS/ISIL threat and how the United States will engage with it.
RP Members do you agree with the article and the lack of concern for Veterans in this upcoming election or are there more important issues?
Your thoughts and comments welcome!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dustin-demoss/veterans-debate_b_8164118.html
With the 2016 presidential election quickly approaching, campaign season is in full swing and boasts no shortage of candidates. Presidential hopefuls from all sides of the political spectrum have pulled no punches when it comes to the multitude of issues currently concerning the American public. In fact, candidates have weighed in on any number of topics, from immigration reform to civil liberties, with incredible diverse and aggressive opinions. Perhaps this willingness to engage and volunteer opinions is what makes the lack of attention to one topic in particular so striking, especially in the glare of the ongoing G.O.P. presidential debates.
Do you know where the candidates stand when it comes to veterans' affairs and healthcare needs?
A Growing Lack of Attention to Veterans
The lack of attention to American veterans and the care they receive once they return home is not necessarily a new development when it comes to presidential debates. Veterans and their supporters faced this same problem in the 2012 debates, for example, where only repeated urging convinced the candidates to briefly consider the topic. And as more and more people are aware, the number of candidates with any sort of military service background is constantly shrinking. Not only is this concerning for a country that is still in the midst of a war that has already spanned 14 years, but it's especially worrisome considering that one of the major topics up for debate is the looming ISIS/ISIL threat and how the United States will engage with it.
Election 2016
Elections
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Issues
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 121
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs Because we're not a large enough percentage of the total population. In addition I've watched both debates and I have not seen them really address any issue. They are too busy promoting themselves as "I'm the first to ...", "I'm the only one who", to busy talking about each other's records and taking snipes at each other, and cutting down POTUS to even get close to talking about a real issue concerning anything/one.
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Maj John D Benedict
My thoughts exactly. Veterans are about 1% of the population. Not saying I like it, but they aren't going to sink a lot of time into such a small quantity. Veterans healthcare seems to be something they both agree on, so even less reason to see it as a topic...
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SSG Angela Harris
Sir it's a lot of things bother me about this election. No ever talks about God anymore in politics. Veterans and soldiers always come last to any type news in the world. I just pray we can all get it together. To God be the Glory
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we do not matter after we serve our purpose and as CPT (Join to see) stated "not a large enough percentage of the total population" for them to worry about our votes.
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MSG Brad Sand
SSgt Terry P.
Need to make one correction to your comment, you DO matter. They may not think so or they may not act like it BUT you, and all of our veterans, ABSOLUTELY DO matter.
Need to make one correction to your comment, you DO matter. They may not think so or they may not act like it BUT you, and all of our veterans, ABSOLUTELY DO matter.
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SSgt Terry P.
MSG Brad Sand - The comment was sarcastic in it's nature,as a Veteran of Vietnam,the political attitude has changed for the better.
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We are "expendable" assets to our civilian masters. Veterans conversation only surfaces when there is an end to the means with large amounts of money are involved. 100% can be traced back to funds somewhere. Bases closing, government contracts to constituents from that Congressman or Senators. Back door deals, whatever... They are ALL dirty on both sides of the isle. A quick way to measure who is a true statesman and who is in politics for the money? take their incentives away (lifetime medical, lifetime full salary, contributions, donations, lobbyist etc...) and see who decides to stick around to make laws and govern our nation.
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PFC Don Palumbo
I agree with you sir. All the more reason to vote for Trump. We sorely need to rid ourselves from the criminals we have in office right now.
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LTC Thomas Rumsey
I'm sorry Jerry but I couldn't disagree with your statement more. No one forced any of us to serve, no one promised us a life of riches or entitlement. Your example of asking them to work for free could easily be applied to us...how many of us would go to Iraq for nothing or have joined if it was simply for the experience? I'd go now with the guys I was deployed with for nothing, but that's due to my loyalty and love for them, not some higher calling to go suck sand and watch camel spider fights again. You put two soldiers in the middle of the desert and they can fight their way through anything...that attitude doesn't need to stay in the desert when the soldier comes home. Does the VA need to be fixed, of course it does...but that isn't going to happen overnight so take a knee, drink some water and then move out...just make sure your brothers are doing the same...we need to take care of each other back home like we did over there...
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