Why aren't there more Veterans in Congress?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 12:09:08 -0400

With the number of Veterans in Congress diminishing, is it any wonder that the veterans feel frustrated about the policies that effect our lives?

What can we do as Veterans? What can Veteran candidates do to be successful?

8 Smart Ways For Veterans To Win Any Election

Here are eight steps that veteran candidates can take to be successful in increasing their representation in government.

Response by LTC Martin Metz made Oct 20 at 2014 2:17 PM

LTC Martin Metz — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 14:17:19 -0400

One of the benefits of being retired is that it frees you up to run for office. Currently I'm running for the State Senate in the 33rd Legislative District. Win or lose in November, I plan on working with the veterans organization in Washington State to encourage veterans to join the fight and get involved in all levels of government from school and water boards, to city councils, State level, and beyond. Veterans are the logical choice to do this, but its hard work and thankless in some ways.

Response by SFC Boots Attaway made Oct 20 at 2014 5:25 PM

SFC Boots Attaway — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:25:00 -0400

I wish prior service was a requirement to run for president. I would run for something but most people would see me as "UNQUALIFIED".

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Oct 20 at 2014 5:37 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 17:37:43 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, There's been a few people who've made that observation. Here's an interesting article on the divide:
http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2013-09-29/the-widening-gulf-between-americans-and-their-military

This book goes into some significant detail on the divergence, and on the three possible out-comes (spoiler: none of them are good). http://www.amazon.com/AWOL-Unexcused-Absence-Americas-Military/dp/ [login to see] /ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=8-2&keywords=military+and+civilian+disconnect

Perhaps we'll see some change with this as Veterans from our most recent wars mature into positions where running for office is more likely, like LTC Martin Metz, but I'm not holding my breath on the percentages running.

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Oct 20 at 2014 9:12 PM

CPL Jay Strickland — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 21:12:12 -0400

It is because those who came of age during the Vietnam era and its aftermath currently tend to hold federal elected office. The veterans of that era tend to have more issues and had less opportunity to rise in society.
Starting with those who began their careers mid Reagan there should be an upswing in veterans as the military was expanded and its college programs were improved several times.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Oct 21 at 2014 9:07 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 09:07:58 -0400

CPT Ingram -- To your point, it appears that it continues to get worse with each election. The number of former military personnel in Congress, and in the Administration in general, continues to diminish.

Saw an article about it on the Military Times web site today. Here is an excerpt:

The number of veterans in Congress has been steadily dropping in recent election cycles, but the legislative branch’s meager military credentials could take a major hit this year.

According to an analysis from the nonpartisan Veterans Campaign, only 183 of the 865 major-party candidates up for election to Congress this year boast military experience. It’s the first time in recent memory that fewer than 200 veterans were on the campaign trail in the congressional races.

Based on recent polling data, those sparse figures could drop the total number of veterans in the House and Senate to under 100 for the first time since the 1950s, when World War II veterans began seeking office for the first time.

The current Congress has only 106 lawmakers with military experience, and Veterans Campaign Executive Director Seth Lynn said he expects that number to drop by up to 10 percent next year.

“We’re used to seeing this steady decrease every two years, but this could be an even steeper drop than we normally expect,” he said. “This is going to be the election that puts us below earlier levels.”

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2014 11:58 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 11:58:30 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member There are some fine lines to walk as a candidate to stay within regulations, but I applaud those willing to enter the madness and further the typically quiet agenda of veteran issues.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Oct 21 at 2014 12:20 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:20:54 -0400

I think we realize we might just be too smart for the job.

Sadly, it might also be that after serving for so long and taking the abuse inherent in the system, we are not willing to continue on that path. I'm a fan of many of Robert Heinlein's positions on citizenship, and I would be interested in seeing something like that being enacted.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 21 at 2014 12:21 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 21 Oct 2014 12:21:48 -0400

There are a couple of reasons that there are less vets in Congress:

1) veterans only make up less than 10% of our population. There is simply a smaller pool of vet candidates compared to non-vets.

2) many vets (myslef included) abhor politics.

3) many vets can't afford to get into politics. Running for public office, even a local one, costs money. The higher profile the office, the more it costs to run.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 8:44 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:44:05 -0400

i am. but i would never make it. i wouldnt be anything short of bullworth. i would be straight and forward. people claim to want this, but they really dont. there would be about 42 fights on record that the media would focus on in my background. a few speeding tickets. a broken marriage. so i am not the poster boy for an election. i believe in 70% of what the republicans do, 20% of democratic ways, and 10% of my own. i think both parties are 100% full of crap. and i am sure in 20 years when i run, this post will get out and i will have committed political suicide. i am not afraid to say what i have to (within reason and ethics). and i dont go back on my word. yea, i would be a horrible politician.

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 22 at 2014 8:50 AM

SPC James Mcneil — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 08:50:16 -0400

Not currently. But eventually, I'd like to run for office. I just have to get some things taken care of first.

Response by LTC Dr Richard Wasserman made Oct 22 at 2014 9:01 AM

LTC Dr Richard Wasserman — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 09:01:06 -0400

I would love to. I've called my local Republican Party on several occasions to ask for info and they fail to follow up with me.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 3:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:16:33 -0400

I'm not ready but I would love to run. I just need to get versed in some topics like economics, health care, justice system, the environment before I make that jump. We all love to share our opinions about our political leaders. However, when you actually understand what their job encompasses, you actually get an understanding of what they go through. In laymen's terms, we all talk about how our CSM or LTC/COL/CG is an idiot or doesn't have the best interest in our mind, but you never take into consideration that you're making the decision not just for your platoon which is 15-20 soldiers but an actual BN/BDE/DIV.

Response by 1LT David Moeglein made Oct 22 at 2014 3:16 PM

1LT David Moeglein — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 15:16:49 -0400

The idea is appealing to me. However, I am an alcoholic in recovery. My bottom was not so pretty. I am afraid of dragging my family through the mud. I have been involved in the campaigns of others though. There are many great candidates that are in need of support.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 22 at 2014 4:28 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:28:51 -0400

I wished to in 1998, but lost the edge due to multiple PCS assignments and still no roots. Having supported (out of uniform, off duty and no military affiliation) a retired friends quest, I have found you need a steam roller of public attention and information to even have a chance. We tend to be well spoken, stand for whats right and all the right policies, but it still comes down to the good "ole boy" who was raised where you decided to plant yourself. I watched the debate and the winner was shattered, but as I stated, the winner was elected. Not the best qualified or spoken. It seems no matter how much Rotary Club you do, Habitat for Humanity, community involvement, Cub Scouts, Church or the like, you are still an outsider to the local populace.

Desire is gone, supporting others is not.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2014 4:35 PM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 16:35:14 -0400

No, because I don't have the kind of money in the bank it would take.

Response by SrA Rex Brown made Oct 22 at 2014 6:43 PM

SrA Rex Brown — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:43:57 -0400

I'm to honest and have a very " strong" vocabulary for politics. I tell people what I think and if they don't like it they can kiss my ass.

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Oct 22 at 2014 6:58 PM

PO3 Shaun Taylor — Wed, 22 Oct 2014 18:58:06 -0400

No, I'm too politically incorrect.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 23 at 2014 9:48 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Oct 2014 21:48:00 -0400

Current numbers in Congress

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=http://www.pewresearch.org/files/2013/09/Veterans-and-Congress_2.png&w=1484

Response by Sgt Jesse Bergeron made Oct 26 at 2014 2:20 AM

Sgt Jesse Bergeron — Sun, 26 Oct 2014 02:20:03 -0400

I think there is a certain distain towards those in politics that veterans have. This same hatred stops one from trying to get in that position for fear of being "controlled" by those around them.

Response by CSM David Heidke made Nov 10 at 2014 8:54 AM

CSM David Heidke — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 08:54:31 -0500

CPT Ingram, I ran for office locally, but I had to drop out because I got mobilized. I was doing well, but I was also running in a state where my party is pretty much token representation. People here will vote the party even if the predominant party candidate is a child molester. It's pretty sad.

I've resigned to the fact that if I decide to run again, I'll have to move to another state.

As an NCO I tend to be a little less political in my dealings than an Officer. I have seen some Officers who can play the game like they world in the world series of poker. Sometimes its a good thing, and as long as they don't sell out a Soldier to advance their career then I'm OK with it. But I have seen Officers who would walk over the bodies of a hundred broken men to get an extra helping of mashed potatoes at the chow hall. I see the same qualities in politicians.

The business of politics turns my stomach, but so does government. I truly wish that I could bring some leadership to government, but I can't stand the mud.

Response by SPC Richard White made Nov 24 at 2014 3:53 AM

SPC Richard White — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 03:53:07 -0500

There is a Veterans party and we need more to join so we can get more vets into office.

Response by PFC Eric Minchey made Jan 8 at 2015 12:12 PM

PFC Eric Minchey — Thu, 08 Jan 2015 12:12:29 -0500

The reason there aren't more veterans in Congress is because Congress is NO PLACE for men & women with values such as those held by Veterans. (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, and Personal Courage.)