With Millions of Veterans in the U.S., Why is it so hard for us to get our voices heard in D.C.?

TSgt Mark Vaughn — Fri, 22 Aug 2014 09:49:40 -0400

For so long now we keep hearing that Veterans need to be recognized more, and that we are so under valued in our country. There are millions of us so why is it so hard for us to have a voice that actually does anything? I know we have a lot of organizations that "supposedly" act in our behalf but nothing ever changes. I know as Vets who have served we aren't looking to be the center of attention but come on. We keep getting treated as poster children for political gain but nothing ever changes for us.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Aug 31 at 2014 3:42 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 03:42:56 -0400

I get fed up with the manipulation and use of PR that these advertising firms get away with as well. Give a speech, put people in uniform behind you, want to sell a house, have someone posing in uniform, adult diapers, etc, etc..........
Then again, I had my combat time used against me in my case to get visitation in this red state and I am still reeling from how they treated me.

Response by SSgt James Connolly made Aug 31 at 2014 3:26 PM

SSgt James Connolly — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 15:26:24 -0400

join a veterans Org.I know(old,drinking,not inested because you weren't there for there actions,they don't know how to commucate)I fully agr and disagree,I would love to h some young trooper (M or F) set down and talk with me.
I am amazed at the difference the new and improved warfare in comparison to nat we had to use, it would be gi and take at first but once you e there attention y will listen.Try me

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2014 4:35 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 31 Aug 2014 16:35:19 -0400

TSgt Mark Vaughn The easiest answer is the Veteran Service Organizations (VSO) - VFW, DAV, etc. These orgaizations are constantly speaking and advocating for Veterans in Washington, D.C. or any other public forum where veterans need to be heard. VSO's are dedicated to speaking on behalf of every veteran, male or female, war vet or not, for any subject that relates to things that affect veterans. Contact the leadership of the VSO nearest you and express your needs. You might be surprised to hear that many of the concerns you have are concerns that millions of veterans have already expressed.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 1 at 2014 3:18 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 03:18:36 -0400

I would say you have a handful of factors:

1. Millions of vets doesn't equal a large percentage of Americans. We're a minority.

2. It's politics. Nobody likes politics because it's all BS. We don't even vote who we like, we pick an issue that makes us the most angry and vote against it. Politics get progress by money from lobbyists.

3. There's a finite amount of resources. One pie. When our cut is larger, someone else's is smaller. They feel like they deserve their chunk of money or regulation just as much as you do. Any change causes someone, somewhere to be affected negatively.

4. Most important - there is no single veteran voice. We have a number of problems and no solution to it other than ask for more money. Even worse, as Americans, half of us are far right, and the other half are far left. Each thinks they are right and the other is going to destroy the country. We're both going to because we can't compromise.

So really, it's not hard to get our voices heard. We're all trying to have our individual voices heard too loud. Instead, if we could focus on 2-3 issues at a time, give some ground to compromise, and actually vote as a collective, we would be a very powerful group.

Response by SSG Steven Niemet made Sep 1 at 2014 1:12 PM

SSG Steven Niemet — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 13:12:25 -0400

According the the VA there are approximately 23 million living veterans. According the the Census Bureau there are 313 million people in the US. that comes to a whopping 7% of the population being a veteran, and the includes veterans from pre WW2 to present. The vast majority of the population only know veterans as the old guy in a TV commercial.

Response by SSG Jim Handy made Sep 1 at 2014 10:29 PM

SSG Jim Handy — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 22:29:15 -0400

What we need is actual Veterans dealing with the VA and suffering because of their dysfunction to start picking up their pens and writing the VA , the President, and Congress on a regular basis. The American Legion, VFW, CVA, DVA, and several other Veterans groups claim to be "OUR VOICE", but that is not good enough. The people from these organizations are NOT suffering and have no clue as to what we are really going through. These people are financially secure, living nice lives, and are not dependent on the VA for anything. They can all survive quite well without the VA. What we need are Veterans who are actually fighting the battles and going through the process to let their voices be heard. I have been battling the VA for over 4 years now over my disability benefits. Both my state senators and my congressman are very familiar with my name because of the number of letters I have written. I have written the president and 3 different Secretaries if the VA. I have written both the House and Senate Committees on Veterans Affairs several times, and they have actually called me back to discuss my case. I have appeared on Fox and Friends on TV to do an interview to make people aware of how Veterans are being treated by our dysfunctional VA. The problem is, NOT ENOUGH Veterans are doing this. We need every single Veterans who is having a problem writing at least one letter to SOMEONE every single week to let them know of our problems. If we get enough Veterans writing and speaking up they WILL take us serious. To many Veterans are content to just sit on their butts and whine and expect someone else to fight their battles for them!