Comments on: More Veterans Calling The Streets Home

An Estimated 200,000 U.S. War Veterans Are Homless

JackSteen1
The push to move mentally ill patients out of
in-patient mental hospital settings began in the 1950s,and achieved its full vigor with John F. Kennedy's signing of the Community Mental Health Act in October 1963. The state mental hospitals in California had already begun to move patients back into community treatment facilities years before Reagan became governor of California in 1966, and of course Reagan had nothing to do with the identical moves occurring in other states.

[jacksteen1]

These poor veterans are the legacy of the Great Communicator, Ronnie Ragoon, who should have been buried in a garbage can instead of with the pomp he was afforded.

Reagan emptied the state hospitals, was the first to cut veterans' benefits and shut down free clinics and began the give-away to the corporations that his Republishit Party has been so famous for ever since.

Thank God the Republicrap Party is DONE in the USA for at least the next dozen years !

[truthword]

Dirty Dog, all the "isms" are a ploy, conservatism, liberalism, communism, fascism, they're all the same old garbage with a different name.... enough of the stupid labels and lets just call it all what it is, corruption and tyranny. Fact is these people all sit at the top laughing at all the people dumb enough to buy into all of their stupid labels. We're all Americans, we need to help our fellow citizens and if the government doesn't want to help them then they need to get a real job and start working for their own money while we put ours to better uses..

[dirtydog55]

Conservatism is a ploy. A ploy to get you (the middle class or non-wealthy) to help the wealthy and super wealthy in this country to protect their positions and possessions. They do that by using the military to fight wars that make them more wealth. Conservatives invest heavily in 'war industries' and war promotes their wealth.

Conservatism is a morally bankrupt belief system centered on self-interest. What conservatives seek is not to protect America (or the sanctity of America as they often claim) but rather the positions and the possessions of the most affluent Americans.

We need only look at the basic positions of conservatives to see that conservative lore is based upon self-preservation and not (for example) self-sacrifice.

Wealthy conservatives and their family members DO NOT serve in the military. However, many ex-military members, mostly generals and admirals, become wealthy conservatives and you can easily find them hanging around Washington as lobbyists, or as talking heads on news shows.

Middle-class conservatives are another story. They are mis-guided individuals who are led to believe the lies that spew from the conservative leadership. But, Ha! Try rubbing shoulders with the wealthy conservatives and you will soon find where you really belong, unless of course, you can afford those $2,500.00/plate dinners.

[down-ndirty]

Funny... I worked with a French expatriot who retired here not too long ago. In addition to the social security and company benefits he earned here, he also drew a small stipend from the French government for his service in the French military. And he only did FOUR years!

Try getting anything here after only four years, or even 14 years. And if you do retire with 20 or more years, they will give a large portion of it to your ex-spouse as community property FOR LIFE, if you are unfortunate enough to have one of those.

Fortunately, the family tradition of serving in the military ended with me. My children didn't, and my grandchildren won't if I have anything to say about it.

[truthword]

Reject this corrupt system they created for us and start helping each other out, forget about corporations, television, republicans and democrats and politicians, they're never going to help anyone but themselves. It's up to all of us to help our fellow citizens, no matter what their race, religion, looks, and status are, it's up to turn ourselves into doers instead of talkers... It's time to Git er done America. They got most of you so busy chasing that paper which is only the illusion of money that you're willing to let everything else go, yourselves, your friends, your families, your kids, your communities, and even your souls... this nation has lost its soul, but we can get it back, they can't keep it from us forever, and we will overcome, because we're stronger than they are, they might be living high on the hog right now on the suffering of others but they know themselves it isn't going to last forever, it's going to take a massive change of conciousness to take our country back, not anger, hate, and violence, so get out there next chance you get and make a difference and I'll definitely be doing the same, it's up to you.

[bellal-2009]

Think about it the military service personnel risk their life basically to secure the assets of major corporations and their employees and then the lousy CORPORATIONS don't even give vets jobs after their service. They owe America that much.

[bellal-2009]

No the troops are not canon fodder nor are they worthless, pathetic, or helpless. They can do just fine if the CORPORATIONS of America would step up to the plate and give the vets the good jobs they need and deserve.

[nynative1340]

"Sadly, you are right - those who have fought in previous wars have been neglected by numerous Governments - and we should speak up for those who have been "forgotten" by Government."
Posted by mcdazz

Sadly, veterans don't stand up for their rights. I am in a class-action suit against the government to regain my military retired pay that Reagan awarded to my ex. Amazing enough, out the thousands of military retirees who were screwwed by Reagan, only about 50 were willing to join the law suit. The law suit is going to the Supreme Court in the near future.

I find it unbelievable that anyone who is willing to die in war for the likes of Reagan or Bush would not have the courage to stand up for his/her own rights regarding hard-earned benefits and retired pay.

Granted, the government doesn't make it easy to get veterans' benefits, however, there is strength in numbers.

The way this country treats its veterans is a disgrace and our congressmen and women are worthless pieces of ***** when it comes to getting help in that regard. Helping veterans does not get the selfish bastardos any votes.

[billlies]

The way America throws away its' soldiers, no wonder Bush, Cheney, Defence Secretary Gates, Mel Gibson, Rice, etc., never served. Can you blame them. Cheney made $20 million in 2000. Sure beats being homeless. The recruits are cannon-fodder. In Shakespeares' words "Food for powder". It's a cliche how few of the people who supported the attack on Iraq served. Now they want to attack Iran. They say Iran has Weapons of Mass Destruction. We all know how Bush found Iraqi Wespons of Mass Destruction.

[bellal-2009]

Military personell are not honored by our country. I've heard many vets complain about not being able to find a job after their service. They tell me that because they don't have a BA or BS degree they're not qualified for any jobs except minimum wage. That's after having years of experience in jobs with a high or critical level of responsibility. The media doesn't honor these people they make them appear as victims to be pitied. It's clearly the media that perpetuates this.

I counceled a Vietnam vet the other day who had obviously been living a very difficult if not homeless life for a long period of time. Even though it was financial counceling I just thought I'd give this guy the dignity he deserved and let him ramble and rant for as long as he wanted. As it turns out this street bum was one of the smartest people I've heard lately. He was an MIT and UC Berkeley grad. And I just thought how did we let this happen. Because we live in denial and the media continues to present the military service as victims to be pitied. They need to be held in high regard and given good jobs with good companies based on their SERVICE and EXPERIENCE not some two bit BA or BS degree which isn't worth the paper it's written on.

[truthword]

You sound very angry newster, I'll be praying for you also, you can't help anyone else out because you need to help yourself get right first.... You want to fight evil with evil which only begets more evil.

Matthew 24:12
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Mark 10:34
34And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

[nothappyatall]

"I spent 23 years of my life and my health to defend this country's freedom and this is how they treat us. You civilians just don't know what we go through keeping you free.
Posted by SSarge45"

You learned NOTHING from Vietnam and how vets were used, abused and then trashed by a Govt who used you like yesterday's condumb and tossed you? Forgot about the agent orange denial etc? why would you think anything has changed since?

Why anyone would sign up today to go to Iraq is a real mystery! especially given the whole thing was and is a farce and a total waste, 3,400 of our people died over there for ~NOTHING~ but a total lie propagated by the Bush regime, and the proof of that has been slowly coming out as well as the crooked dealings.
Someday people will wake up!

[ssarge45-2009]

I am 100% service connected and the funds have been cut so much that it takes up to a year to get an appointment to see a Doctor. I need another hip revision, my 5th, now and they are telling me it will take up to 18 months for me to get an appointment. What are we supposed to do in the mean time??? You are the best thing since popcorn when the war is going on, but get out or let the war be over and then you are the forgotten one that is their pain in the butt because you have medical or mental problems. I spent 23 years of my life and my health to defend this country's freedom and this is how they treat us. You civilians just don't know what we go through keeping you free. Enjoy and I still have to say to you, you are welcome and I was proud to serve you.

[truthword]

The Government isn't going to do anything for these guys, it's up to all of us, remember that, you know it and I know it and the Lord knows it. Who killed Jesus Christ? That's right, the government at the time did, he was a threat to their kingdom. It's up to you and I to help these people and all homeless people. It's our burden to bear, because we all know the government will let them rot in the street. Join the cause, turn off the boob tube, and get out there and make a difference. There's 3 kinds of people in this world, those that don't do anything, those that sit around and complain, and those that make things happen, we need to start being the ones that make things happen instead of all the evil powers in high places.

[truthword]

These men not only need food, shelter, clothes, and help getting their lives back on track, they need redemption that only comes through Jesus Christ. I'm not talking about the unholy bastions of churchianity who should be out there helping these men and aren't (God bless those that are), I'm talking about forgiveness, atonement, enlightment, and grace that only Jesus Christ can give. This world has hardened most of our hearts at one time or another and none of us are perfect nor ever will be, but you can regain your innocence. The military begins with bootcamp, which is brainwashing, a lot of these guys did and took part in things that they aren't proud of (we all have) that they now feel bad about and they need to find peace within themselves. I know a lot of you reject god because of the false prophets that come in his name (bush, pat robertson, etc) but they did that for a reason to turn you away from the lord, they paid off the churches to hide the truth not tell it. The true word of god is coming back though and we all have our part to play, I plan on helping some of these men even if it's just taking them out for a meal and having a talk with them or telling them Jesus told me to give you $20 and handing them a $20, it's all about planting seeds. We all have our part to play in this world and it's time we did Gods will instead of our will for a change.

[djermano1]

Ok America let's wake up, and start shaking that piggy bank. We are going to build a City on the Ocean, to create jobs and renewable energy. We can do it and bring the future onboard. Don't feel down on your luck, lets get to work. Let's build the world. Think of it....a floating road to a city on the Ocean. SugarCityCane.

http://ww.sugarcitycane.com

We need engineers and designs. Also computer programmers to create a better and ever moving new view of SugarCityCane on the Ocean. We have alot to do. So Let's go. email me.

[emhawks]

macusweil(10:20pm post): An excellent post; I completely agree!

This is a national disgrace!

"As long as the money flows so will the blood."
- Unknown

[iiffv]

Government and big corporations. Pretty much synonymous. General officers are, for the most part, recruited as executives immediatly upon retirement. Granted, they have a great deal of experience in handling large oufits. But the other aspect is that these men have many close political connections. Generals aren't promoted without the approval of congress.

IIFFV wrote:

"Veterans health care funding has been lacking for many, many years. While by no means has he sufficiently funded the VA, I can't lay the entire blame on Bush. Government itself is largely to blame and until, something like this comes to light and makes the news, veterans are, forgotten by the public also."

I absolutely agree with you on this.

I also think that because they are involved in fighting a war started by GW Bush (at least the Iraq war), he should be at least have the guts to look after them and to provide better facilities.

Sadly, you are right - those who have fought in previous wars have been neglected by numerous Governments - and we should speak up for those who have been "forgotten" by Government.