Opinions

America, by nature, is a “throw away” society. Drive anywhere and see the trash on the roads and streets. We struggle to find new land for our garbage dumps. We have the lowest recycle rate among developed nations. We are in the top 10 countries that pollute the oceans. We have, also, become a nation that throws away our people.

This week there was a movement started by the White House to “outsource” the care of our military veterans. This would cause insurance companies to bare the burden of our wounded veterans. It would, also, put the quality of that care in question.

Mr. President, I supported your run for the office of President of the United States of America. I believed (and still believe) that you could make America a country that would be respected again as a leader in the world. I strongly believe that you are on the right track to recovering the economy of the country. But, Mr. President, you are way off track in the disrespect you are showing our nation’s military members.

I served America for 21 years. I gave a lot in the sacrifices I made. I took low pay, difficult assignments, long working hours etc. with the knowledge that I would receive pension and free medical benefits.

I receive the pension but my medical benefits have been systematically taken away. I am being told (like all my other brothers-in-arms) that I, now, have to pay for something that was promised to be free for myself and family. I am, also, told that the fact that I choose to reside outside of the United States makes a difference. No matter which way you look, we veterans have been lied to. Now, you are taking that lie one more step by trying to outsource wounded veterans out to the lowest bidder-much like bidding out your garbage collection.

Mr. President, we veterans have a saying: “Today’s heroes are tomorrow’s problems.” I, as a Vietnam era veteran have never forgotten or forgave the horrible treatment I received from the American people as a member of the military. Yes, you gave us a parade 20 years later but by that time America had alienated myself and fellow veterans to the point of no return. My advice is this: how you treat your former members of the military will tell how successful you will be in recruiting new military members when you need them in the next war. As Commander-In-Chief,  with respect, Mr. President, you need to get your act together and show more understanding and compassion for the men and women who guard our country.

I hope the Congress will stop your shortsightedness and live up to the promise that was made to me and millions of military service people of free medical care.

The final answer to lowering the costs of the military is to “think twice” before starting  or entering a war or conflict. Use diplomacy  before guns. There is a famous saying that says: “No one hates war more than a soldier.” That is a true statement because the soldier pays the price of the politician’s decisions.

I will leave you with a letter that was just sent to the President by Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA):

March 17, 2009

The Honorable Barack Obama President of the United States The White House Washington, DC

Dear Mr. President,

We first want to take this opportunity to thank you for the clear commitment your administration’s budget outline makes to our nation’s veterans. The proposed 10 percent increase in discretionary funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for next fiscal year is truly historic. We believe the 2010 budget will ensure the VA never again faces the chronic under-funding that prevented countless veterans from receiving the health benefits they have earned.

While we strongly support your plans to increase funding for the VA by $25 billion over the next five years, it is with equal conviction that we oppose the proposal to bill veterans’ private health insurance plans for care and treatment of service-connected injuries or disabilities.

We do not give our veterans health care – they earn it – and it would be unacceptable for the VA to ask our veterans to pay for the treatment of injuries received while serving our nation in uniform. That responsibility belongs to the VA, and it would be wrong to outsource the responsibility of covering the care of those veterans to private insurance companies.

Additionally, this proposal could harm our veterans and their families in unintended, yet very serious ways, jeopardizing their families’ health care and even negatively affecting veterans’ employment opportunities. Billing a veteran’s private health insurance for the treatment of service-connected injuries could lead to increased health care premiums, and could potentially discourage employers from hiring veterans.

We know you are committed to expanding employment opportunities for veterans. Already this year, your administration and Congress have worked to create countless jobs for veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, but this proposal would undermine our efforts.

We urge you to take this proposal off the table, and let us instead focus on ensuring that our veterans receive the full care and benefits they have earned. The moral obligation our nation has to our veterans demands nothing less. We are happy to discuss these issues with you further as we move toward a final budget for the VA.

We would like to thank you again for your commitment to improving care for the men and women who have borne the battle, and who have sacrificed their health and well-being in serving their country. Thank you for your service to our nation.

Mr. President, you can not sweep your military veterans under the carpet or put them out with the garbage. You just may need them again.

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