Americans on the Edge of Survival - Veterans

We should be ashamed. The treatment of our veterans is inexcusable. These are men and women who did their jobs, who went to war in good faith, convinced of the rightness of their action, and they come back to a Nation that loves to say how much we honor them, but does little to actually help them.

Let us for the moment forget how we feel about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Just for the record, I opposed them, however, once we were involved, I thought we should end it as quickly and efficiently as possible, then get out. None of us, including those who were sent to fight, thought we were going to be involved in a never ending engagement. We were also told that we were after ben Laden in Afghanistan and that his death would make a difference in the War on Terror. It did not. We were told that Iraq had the infamous 'weapons of mass destruction.' They did not. We were told that those who had lived under Sadam's dictatorship would welcome us with open arms. They did not. But, put that aside for now.

We know that something funny happened in the First Gulf War and that a lot of soldiers came back with Gulf War Syndrome., a peculiar disease. Smart money says that something 'experimental' was tried on them. Remember that during the MKUltra, the Military and Intelligence agencies dosed folks with a mind numbing array of chemicals, so they have an established record of using soldiers as guinea pigs. Again, leaving aside what we cannot prove, we know that many came home physically damaged. Things have only grown worse during the last 2 wars.

The situation with the Veterans Administration is not acceptable.  Waiting lists are far too long and by all accounts the hospitals are filthy. Things were not always this way. My Dad, a WW2 veteran, got fine treatment. Things began going awry during the Vietnam debacle and have gone downhill ever since.

There also seems to be little in the way of counselling available for those having difficulty coping with the return to civilian life. That, combined with the horrible economy, has led to the deplorable fact that many of the Nation's homeless are veterans.

Folks, it is all too easy to go on and on about how much we appreciate the efforts and sacrifice of our veterans. Politicians do that all the time,  but the time has come for the Nation to put some money where its mouth is and actually do something to help these men and women. 

Americans on the Edge, of Survival - Introduction

Today, I am beginning a multipart series on Americans who are struggling just to get by, to survive in the Nation's current climate. Because the weekend is upon us, the next 2 blogs will be of a lighter nature, but Monday I will get back to this topic. Most of what I write is just me sounding off about things that I find humorous or things that anger me, but this series is about what I believe is the most serious problem in America.

This is an incredibly wealthy land but there are many, many of its citizens who are ignored, even abused, and left to suffer. Homelessness is far more prevalent than it should be and many who do have homes are sharing overcrowded dwellings with relatives or living in tiny, pay-by-the-week efficiencies. Trust me, the latter are often barely fit for human habitation and yet, you often find children, often several per room, dwelling in them.

Medical care is woeful. Do not tell me about the wonders of Obamacare. There are many who fall between the cracks, folks with just enough not to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to pay for a half way decent insurance policy. Medicare is expensive and does not cover a whole lot of procedures. Many states did not go along with the Federal plan and have not increased Medicaid funding and those living in said states are left hanging. Dental care, not for cosmetic issues but for necessary procedures is just not there. And still, costs of Medical care rise.

Many in this land, which produces so much of the World's food, go hungry. Even if those folks are not actually hungry, they are malnourished because they can afford only the cheapest foods, starchy, fatty, sugary junk that fills the stomach without providing a damn bit of nutrition.

Mental health is said to be a vital concern and, when someone acts out enough to get in trouble they may be given a handful of ridiculously powerful drugs to stun them into submission but that is no way to treat human beings.  Are we really all so busy that we cannot take a little time to help those who are having trouble coping with this mad World we have created. Unfortunately, often  those who are force fed pills and told to behave are those least able to help themselves, children.

We, the American people are guilty of ignoring, shunning, and on occasion, abusing the elderly, children, damaged war veterans, impoverished young women and men, the physically and mentally disadvantaged and should hang our collective heads in shame. Those who run this land should be taken from their positions of wealth and power and imprisoned for this unconscionable behavior. Jesus taught that "he who does these things to the least of you, does them to me." He also said that "as you sow, so shall you reap." A day of reckoning will come and answers will have to be given for this detestable behavior.  Good luck to those who choose to ignore these really very easily solved problems.

Have fun, it is the weekend and I truly do wish everyone a fine one. I hope you read my next 2 posts. They will be lighthearted and interesting, but, more importantly, I want you to read the next few after that and give some thought to them.