Posted on Sep 22, 2015
Why Are Veterans Not An Issue in the Debates?
37.7K
438
294
50
50
0
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
1
1
0
I believe we are a significant percentage of the population.It has been estimated that upwards of 300,000 vets have died because of lack of care from the VA.No bashing or racial issue intended,but our numbers are larger that the LGBT,immigrants crossing the border,and many other fringe groups that dominate the debates.The only candidate ( suspended campaign ) that I have heard address the veterans issues was Rick Perry.( a veteran).The questions are so presented to the candidates,to not allow them to broach many other subjects.I believe that veterans are not bitchers,so our voice is small.We have been taught to make do with what we have and move on.
(1)
(0)
PFC Don Palumbo
You have a good point Sgt. However I find that far too many veterans are bitching about the VA being so bad, but I have yet to hear any of our members say what their problems with the service at the VA is. Give me some meat guys, I need something to chew on. There are plenty of ways to resolve problems, but you have to state what the VA has done to you in order to address your problems. Most of what I hear are empty complaints.
(0)
(0)
1
1
0
I became fully aware just after I retired that we are EXPENDABLE. The more distractions, such as electronics and just plain affluence out society has, the more they care only for their own comfort. Having the rug pulled out from under us should come as no surprise.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Are any of the candidates even veterans? Politicians only care about veterans when they are embarrassed into it. You have to look for a candidate who is not on the military industry's payroll and will keep us out of unnecessary wars. Right now, there's only one, and he's not a conservative.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Honestly, iI think it's because the republicans are traditionally the ones to bring the topic to the table but they've done a shit job for vets lately and don't want people to start bringing it up.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
It's simple, the majority don't care. The VA system is broken and needs a complete overhaul. The civilian providers that the VA sends us to for our initial evaluations don't care. They are simply in it for the money. If you do have some type of mental health issue, the civilian doctors automatic may assume it's PTSD or some form of anxiety. If you try to explain for example: OPSEC, where if you see someone out of place for long durations, they really start to think you're paranoid. The over all answer to everything comes town to numbers and the candidates not giving a damn along with much of the population.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
Several republican candidates mentioned the importance of Veterans and their proper treatment during their own time. Unfortunately, the media doesn't seem to care much about the issue and hasn't asked questions about it. With so many candidates on the stage, time is at a premium for each because they get relatively few questions addressed to them. I doubt that the issue will ever come up in the demogogic party candidates' debate - too embarrassing and they won't want to remind people of the disgrace of the past seven years.
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
It only matters when there is a war....then we count as an issue. Sad but true! WE...must make our lives relevant to us...for ourselves!!
(1)
(0)
1
1
0
1
1
0
The media so far have not addressed those issues in the Republican debates. Probably on purpose as they're centered on social issues in their gotcha mode. The Republicans are still being weeded out at this point.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google