Why Does the US Treat Veterans so Poorly?

[Roose]

The numbers for vets are all over the web. We send them off to fight, and they come back physically and/or mentally impaired.

The VA has been there to help many, but they still keep falling short. Now with new cuts to spending the process for vets to get medical attention is even worse.

America’s 23 million veterans are facing an unprecedented crisis as the backlog of disability claims at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has grown to nearly 1 million—more than double what it was when President Obama took office.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/article...president.html

This is by no means a bash Obama thread. He is the man in office now. I just think that this is yet another failure of the administration. How are we not more prepared to handle all of these vets coming home? Why does it seem that vets are so incredibly important when they are still considered active soldiers, yet when they get home they are brushed to the side?

[Kujako]

Because for the first time in history we went to war without raising taxes to pay for it. Taking care of returning veterans costs money, and we dont have any.

[Deleted]

It's sad that they are treated so poorly, at least here our Veterans get all the medical care they need, I hope you guys can fix the system.

[Roose]

This is not the first time that our veterans are receiving less than stellar care. This is also not our first rodeo. Did we learn nothing in all other times of combat?

[procne]

23 million veterans? That's like 14% of USA population. :O
And they all need help?

[Roose]

23 million veterans? That's like 14% of USA population. :O
And they all need help?

Yes. They are all entitled to the services that they were promised. The VA does not just treat soldiers injured in combat. In my town we have men and women from all over the state come here for a majority of their health care needs. They served and do not have money to get help elsewhere.

[Landin55]

This is not the first time that our veterans are receiving less than stellar care. This is also not our first rodeo. Did we learn nothing in all other times of combat?

Well to be honest IDK how people can join the marines and the army, it wasn't a draft it was all volunteer and we all know how the Vietnam vets were. Part of me feels sad for them another part of me feels they knew what was coming and if they didn't they should read more into history.

[Kathandira]

It definitely sucks to go to war in a time of economic stability and come home to an economy in shambles. Perhaps, just maybe, cut spending on the military and use the money to supplement the veterans funds.

The US is a HUUUGE country, larger than most. We have quite a large population to boot. It is difficult/Nearly impossible to financially prioritize, i'll totally admit that. But I do think our priorities should be reconsidered. We spend too much money on external issues. If you ask me, we need to focus more on internal issues.

[Deleted]

Well to be honest IDK how people can join the marines and the army, it wasn't a draft it was all volunteer and we all know how the Vietnam vets were. Part of me feels sad for them another part of me feels they knew what was coming and if they didn't they should read more into history.

If you don't have enough volunteers it is time to start drafting, you should be thanking those folks for taking your place.

[Rukentuts]

23 million veterans? That's like 14% of USA population. :O
And they all need help?

The USA has like 330M iirc. So really it's like 8-9%, but still.

This is because once they get out, they have served their "use" and become a silent problem. At least, that's how politicians view it: they only care until you get out.

[Deleted]

You don't want to pay taxes... that's why!

[Fugus]

23 million veterans? That's like 14% of USA population. :O
And they all need help?

There are 313 million Americans and about 1.5 million active duty military.

23 million isn't that much when given that many active duty, but overall about 8% of the population.

But to be honest, they could easily pay for all that if they would just stop wasting so much money on toys they don't need, if the next closest nation has 3 aircraft carriers, why do we need 13? Especially when they can cost over 6 BILLION dollars each to produce, enough to pay for their entire healthcare shortage. Or spending trillions on an aircraft design that was flawed from the start and they keep pouring money into it trying to get it to work rather than own up and admit they fucked up funding a lemon.

[Landin55]

It definitely sucks to go to war in a time of economic stability and come home to an economy in shambles. Perhaps, just maybe, cut spending on the military and use the money to supplement the veterans funds.

The US is a HUUUGE country, larger than most. We have quite a large population to boot. It is difficult/Nearly impossible to financially prioritize, i'll totally admit that. But I do think our priorities should be reconsidered. We spend too much money on external issues. If you ask me, we need to focus more on internal issues.

Its weird, I know a lot of republicans that cry out that we need all that money (or even more) for the military cause if we did cut any of it the Veterens would feel the most of the "lack of funds", makes you wonder wtf they are using that money and if it is really worth it.

[Gratlim]

It's a shame a country like the US, using war as a way to get maintain economical domination, can't spend more to help their vets :s

They should at least get some of the petrodollars they fought for and psychological help.

[Alvito]

The government has used them up and no longer needs them so they are cast aside as much as they can be without raising public uproar. The public treats them poorly because they do not understand them or agree with things they did regardless of that service man or women's own beliefs. Far too many people are too quick or find it too easy to judge and hate then to help and love.

[procne]

The USA has like 330M iirc. So really it's like 8-9%, but still.

This is because once they get out, they have served their "use" and become a silent problem. At least, that's how politicians view it: they only care until you get out.

Yeah, made typo, sorry.

But still, "America’s 23 million veterans are facing an unprecedented crisis" sounds as if those 23 million were at the government's mercy, unable to live on their own. Are they all crippled? Or do I misunderstand "veteran" word? Are those people who fought in wars and have been relieved of their service? Or is it just anyone who has ever been in military, even as a cook?

[Rukentuts]

Yeah, made typo, sorry.

But still, "America’s 23 million veterans are facing an unprecedented crisis" sounds as if those 23 million were at the government's mercy, unable to live on their own. Are they all crippled? Or do I misunderstand "veteran" word? Are those people who fought in wars and have been relieved of their service? Or is it just anyone who has ever been in military, even as a cook?

Military veterans are anyone who has served in the military. War veterans are those that have actually seen combat. I believe the 23M figure is for the former.

[Slummish]

Misappropriation of funds surely has something to do with it. My father-in-law is retired Air Force and receives excellent medical care at the cost of the taxpayer. Whenever he has any medical problem, he checks himself into a posh local heart clinic because he likes the large private rooms, the wide menu selection and the cute nurses. Then the government is forced to send specialists to see him at the heart hospital to treat his neuropathy of the feet and legs, his melanoma on his face, his colon and rectal cancers, etc. He doesn't have heart problems...

He also earns more money per month in retirement than most white collar Americans do from working full time. He receives an Air Force retirement, an Air Force disability, Social Security and a Civil Service retirement. I don't know exactly how much he pulls in, but it's nothing for him to make impulse purchases of $3,000 massage chairs at Costco and take 6-week vacations with his wife and eldest daughter to England and Ireland two or three times per year.

Young vets have to recover in military hospitals that are falling apart because the 70 year-olds are bleeding the system dry.

[Reg]

Daily Show clip, so take it as you will.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/we...teran-benefits
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/th...terans-affairs

[Roose]

Well to be honest IDK how people can join the marines and the army, it wasn't a draft it was all volunteer and we all know how the Vietnam vets were. Part of me feels sad for them another part of me feels they knew what was coming and if they didn't they should read more into history.

Many have no other options, or see it that way. Many actually think that they are making a noble sacrifice and fighting for their country. I applaud them, but ya, many are mislead into enlisting.