Why aren't the Presidential Candidates talking about vital Veterans issues?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 19:50:49 -0400

The presidential campaign that latches onto veterans in the 2016 election will have the advantage.
With the media saturated with stories about the 2016 presidential election, it’s hard to believe it’s still 16 months away until we choose the next leader of this free nation. Candidates are scrambling to assemble their teams, create their messaging, and build their platforms — all out of key issues that are close to the hearts of the American people. So far, there have been myriad issues raised — from women’s rights, to Iran, to the economy. Veterans and their families, however; the backbone, strength and protection of this nation, have taken a back burner in the national discussion.

There are no shortage of issues to be discussed — there are 22 veterans a day who commit suicide, homeless veterans without food or shelter, a Department of Veterans affairs that needs to become more accountable and effective, fraught wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and numerous veterans seeking employment after courageously serving.

http://taskandpurpose.com/the-presidential-candidates-arent-talking-about-vital-veterans-issues/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=tp-today

The Presidential Candidates Aren’t Talking About Vital Veterans Issues

The presidential campaign that latches onto veterans in the 2016 election will have the advantage.

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Sep 14 at 2015 7:53 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 19:53:37 -0400

We are a tiny piece of the population. Veterans issues won't win the election.

Response by SFC Nikhil Kumra made Sep 14 at 2015 8:08 PM

SFC Nikhil Kumra — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 20:08:05 -0400

5,000 is nothing... I wish only 5,000 total were taking... It's the several million others who don't want to work "too much" so as to lose their food stamps and FMLA bene's...

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Sep 14 at 2015 9:01 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 21:01:20 -0400

Voters can't focus on many issues (beyond one) at any one time. Thus politicians workon finding that one and focus on it

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Sep 14 at 2015 9:27 PM

Sgt Jay Jones — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 21:27:31 -0400

Because they are being whipped into a frenzy over Trumps war on undocumented immigrants! ..Oh yeah and Megan Kelly.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Sep 14 at 2015 10:45 PM

PO2 Peter Klein — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 22:45:14 -0400

Are any of them veterans? That may have something to do with it.

Response by SFC Keith Rumsey made Sep 14 at 2015 11:01 PM

SFC Keith Rumsey — Mon, 14 Sep 2015 23:01:03 -0400

its a Taboo topic they are afraid to touch it, therefore we should force them to touch it, but that could back fire on us

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Sep 15 at 2015 4:39 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 04:39:19 -0400

Didn't Trump talk about Veterans Issues?? He claims he has done a lot for Veterans and organized a march for Wounded Veterans in NYC. He also badmouthed John McCain for not doing anything for Veterans which got al lot in the senate's attention.

Response by PO3 Steven Sherrill made Sep 15 at 2015 11:23 AM

PO3 Steven Sherrill — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 11:23:42 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member veterans are important to talk about because they strike a patriotic vein in Americans. They are not important because, as SGT Jeremiah B. states, the veteran population is not going to win a person an election. What a candidate is going to want is a decorated veteran that they can parade around to show the American People that they support veterans without committing to doing anything real.

There is another thread on RP regarding Dr. Ben Carson's comments on the VA. He has made comments to the effect of the VA needs to be gutted (something that is not a secret) without going into details of how it will be done. This is what most candidates are going to do with most issues: explain why they think it is important, don't commit to resolving the issue.

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/remember-ben-carson-s-comment-on-closing-the-va-would-you-believe-he-just-doubled-down?urlhash=966628

Remember Ben Carson's comment on closing the VA? Would you believe he just doubled down? |...

"Carson: Shutter VA healthcare system" Think it is a re-post? This is from Mr. Carson's Monday comment! ---------------------------------------------------------------- GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson said on Monday that military veteran care requires such a drastic overhaul, he’ll end the Veterans Health Administration if he wins the White House. “When it comes to veterans’ care, Americans are rightfully outraged, and can no longer be...

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 15 at 2015 2:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 14:19:27 -0400

I have a feeling that talking about the military is a hot potato as our wars are an enigma, and nobody knows the doctrine for victory.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 15 at 2015 2:57 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 14:57:18 -0400

If you can show me a billionaire Vet, and I'll show you a million politicians who are going to jump through hoops to "support" our causes.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 15 at 2015 9:50 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 21:50:55 -0400

This is criminal...

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Sep 17 at 2015 9:59 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 09:59:37 -0400

That's because they don't know what the issues are... See all those people up there last night? Name ONE that has military in their past.

Response by LTC Christopher Sands made Sep 17 at 2015 8:46 PM

LTC Christopher Sands — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 20:46:59 -0400

Economy, economy, economy .....

Response by CW3 Eric W. S. made Sep 18 at 2015 9:10 AM

CW3 Eric W. S. — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 09:10:51 -0400

All good points, but the veteran population in America is still a very low percentage of the overall population. This makes us a lower priority on the scale of constituents to pander to. I am sure one of them will eventually say something later on, but right now, there is too much other "stuff" that is much more important to the general population. This is not to say that it is right, but unfortunately, that is the way it is. Nothing will come of Veteran's rights until one of the major VSOs decides to kick a large sum of "campaign donations" into a likely winner's fund.

Response by SSG John Mitchell made Feb 16 at 2016 12:51 AM

SSG John Mitchell — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 00:51:36 -0500

Because they don't give a flying FRACK! It all comes down to the same ole thing MONEY! Money that is supposed to be for Us is being funneled elsewhere. Mainly into other people's pockets. Whether it's frivolous Statues and Fountains or buildings that aren't needed. You have people that work for VA that do nothing but collect a paycheck and you have those that catually care. Just like in Service. Those that do get overworked and those that don't get the promotions because they are sent to school just to get them out of your hair. When it takes MONTHS to see a Specialist because he's a Contracter instead of fulltime then you have a problem. The money's in the Budget. It's just diverted elsewhere. VA was supposed to be an independent entity. Not the Government Jobs program that it has become for administrators that do nothing. Government hasn't fulfilled their Contract any other time, why should we expect them to fulfill the one they made to us?

Response by SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D made Oct 6 at 2019 3:22 PM

SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 15:22:12 -0400

Maybe the Democrats simply don't care about us and only themselves. The only one who ever talks about us, builds our Military Branches, expands our benefits and has compassion for those of us who returned disabled, is our President. Obama burried us, Trump reserrected us!