|
|
| Home |
|
|
|
What is a Congress? by Harry Riley
Ever wonder why members of United States
Congress view opposition to supporting our active warriors as
a "kiss" of political suicide but have no fear of opposing our
troops, spouses, and widows after the blood letting and threat goes
away? Isn't that the way it is?
What
about Section 8 of the United States Constitution that requires Congress
to "...provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of
the United States;..."? Does the
Constitution imply Congress should require warriors to beg for
support after giving life, blood, and limb in the "common defense"
on the battlefield? I don't think so.
Take a look at all the Bills before the
United States House of Representatives and United States Senate filed in
support of military veterans and families......you will probably see
nearly every US House member as a co-sponsor of some Bill that supports
our veterans, but you won't see them all
supporting a specific veteran Bill........why? Shouldn't
every Congressman/woman be supporting every veteran Bill with priority
funding, then prioritizing remaining funds for the "pork
barrel" projects? Isn't the
bedrock of our very "freedom and liberty" resting on the
sacrifice of our warriors?
I propose there are four primary
reasons why each politician will not support a veteran Bill:
1. They are supporting their political party lead; 2. There is no
personal political advantage; 3. There is no political threat by
ignoring the Bill; and 4. They don't personally support the Bill for one
reason or another but don't have the guts to make their position public.
In many ways, the above also applies to VSOs
(veterans service organizations) (VFW, Legion, MOAA, TREA, NAUS, DAV,
ROA, et al) in that these organizations are so closely tied to the
political apparatus they can only pressure Congress so
far.........they know their limits and stand clear. It is apparent
all VSOs have agendas that generally support military veteran
initiatives, but each has a primary focus for their specific members,
thus, their power is diffused into many differing directions........read
"Congress throwing a crumb here, there, keep each thinking they are
having some impact" but keep them operating on many fronts,
diluting the power of mass on target. This still allows
organizations to report some credit and keep the membership dues
flowing. Cessation of dues, ignoring the insurance offered,
etc., will soon get high paying VSO CEOs and staff attention.
How do we hold a politician accountable
for what he/she does or does not do? The obvious answer is to let
the ballot box speak our dissatisfaction, but, does this simply
replace one unfaithful politician with a potential clone? Most
likely a clone will appear and we start over and our issue dies
again........and we continue to let it happen.....shame on us if we let
those currently in office skate.
We need the politician in office today to
respond to constituents today........not next year. We have
all the firepower that makes politicians and VSOs tremble.........they
don't want you to recognize your power.........however, the sad reality
is this. We, as warriors make several erroneous assumptions: 1.
That someone else will carry the ammunition; 2. That government will
honor commitments; 3. Politicians will do what they promise after
arriving in Washington, DC; 4. That one party is better than the other;
5.That we can restore lost benefits later; and 6. Our individual effort
won't help... to name a few.
Each one of us must send a strong message to
our US Representative and Senators that we require them to vote in support of "every"
veteran Bill submitted in the US Congress, or offer a public, plausible
reason for voting against, or failing to vote a Bill. If they
fail, then out they go with hope of electing an honorable
representative........if we send enough into retirement, perhaps the
message "we have had enough brown bag treatment" will get
through to professional politicians.
All differing opinions welcome and that's
fair.........please, no excuses from any quarter.
To View Responses to this commentary please click here Responses To: What is a Congress? Harry, Howie I
agree that we need to have help from every one we can convince to help us.
We will not get this help if we don't work together. We need all the VSOs
working together but how do we get them there ? Each one has their own
agenda instead of working together on issues that concern most of us. It is
almost impossible to have anything published in the major media that will
get to the civilians that we need to support us as well as active duty
personnel who really don't understand where we are coming from. When
they start running into the blank walls we have run into they will
understand but it will be too late for most of us . As you know, our
representatives never see most of the mail, e-mail or hear of the phone
calls because their staff stops them at the front desk. I have contacted my
senators local office and informed them of the form letters and not
answering what I asked for in the way of retiree health care , not veterans
health care, and am waiting to see what results I have from that encounter.
The thing we can not afford to do is fight among ourselves as has been
stated. We must all stick together if we are to accomplish any thing at all.
Thanks Col. Riley for all you are doing for our cause.
I am surprised that the indefatigable leader of
the class action lawsuit by the WWII and Korean Veterans retirees is now
maintaining a blog, an almost exclusive one for the supporters of
President Bush. Others who may differ need not comment. How
can we exchange ideas if you only print rejoinders that follow your own
thoughts? I hope you read my rejoinder to your inquiry.
M.A. Cabagnot
Response:
M.A.............this Blog is
attempting to follow common sense and truth, it is not a "pro
Bush" initiative or supporting any other politician,
unless...........by some miracle, a politician actually displays some
thread of being representative of the people........there is room for
disagreement on the blog.
Harry Riley
Dear Harry,
What goes? How come in the heat of a disastrous possible vote against
Veterans benefits etc. the responses on this page are kicking the hell
out of people who support them, by snide remarks, racist innuendo and
political sniping on both sides. I can see why politicians might
be saying, "wait until tomorrow and they will be after you too, to
those who might be supporting us right now.
Why not contact each and everyone who is in office right now and ask
them point blank where they are heading. Are they going to listen
to their Congressional Leaders on these issues or to the voters and not
just military voters but all voters who have an interest in all of us.
They are out there but sometimes military people leave out civilians who
in a minute would join the fight for our rights. Most of the time
they are not aware of what is going on. Their rights and benefits
aren't being tossed around quite like the military's. Remember
when all this started many years ago it was "all of us" who
stuck together and joined in the battle whether it was contributing
iron, fat, etc. to the war effort or "victory gardens" we
stood in line for butter and other rations and worked in the factories
and built the ships planes guns you needed to fight the good fight for
your Country and I'm telling you if you got the word out to the
civilians AND military that your support would rise up and choke those
people who are now trying to eviscerate the benefits of all veterans.
I can think of a few million people who if they read the last few
letters would boil in their blood because of remarks about different
groups, all of which we need to be behind us or is the fashion still
" to cut off our noses to spite our faces!"
Smarten up people if you want people to vote and assist you in your
quest for honest benefits earned and promised don't believe that
politicians can't be talked into standing behind you. Get out and
talk not just on these pages but in the newspapers and parades and TV
and every other form there is to educate our fellow citizens.
Remember if the politicians don't care about the military they will care
if the military and their civilian friends (some of whom served just for
four years or two or six in the guards and reserves) join each other to
make one great society again. One that takes care of those who
took care of them and believe me they haven't forgotten any of you.
I am not on a soap box and I apologize if I have ruffled anyone's
feathers, but I read this column just now for the first time in a long
time. I think Harry is doing a great job, but you must be
careful not to loose anyone in your fight. Each and every person
is too valuable if getting shot "from the hip!" so to
speak.
Circle the wagons and get help from everyone you can. May I just
give one suggestion. In almost all towns with cable tv the local
area contributes a local or regional station that lets everyone
contribute their "point of view", why not get those
organizations that don't have "mouth pieces on" because of
Congressional constraints and you know who they are get in there and
hold a nightly or every other night or weekly show telling the citizens
who watch of our plight. I would be happy to help in any way I can
to check on that and report to Harry of any response I might be able to
get and maybe this will be a very good "platform" for all of
those who are still fighting and those who have already fought and ought
not to have to continue to fight for their entitlements.
Warm Regards,
Don Abbott
Response:
Don,
You make good points..........having worked in
this business of persuading politicians for several years now, I can
tell you...........a politician is swayed by two
variables...........pressure and vote potential..............much of
what you say is on target and we have in particular, been trying to
reach the public in general for nearly 10 years..........it is not easy
but every initiative, opportunity is worthy of pursuit..........thanks
for your note and help.........we call it the way we see it and there is
always room for respectful disagreement.........
Harry Riley
One thing I would like to advise all Veterans and Military Retirees is: Let us get behind "THE VETERANS PARTY of AMERICA" and this way we can send rep's to congress.
The Republicans and Democrats that are not helping Veterans--Join the
Vet's Party and vote to replace the one's that are not helping us Vet's.
If we don't help ourselves why should we ask others to do so??
Robert J Jock, RET USAF
Interesting question.
Ideally, as set forth
in our founding documents and elaborated over the past two centuries, a
duly elected body of senators and representatives assembled to propound
the wishes of their constituents, consistent with the legality, morality
and the common good for all citizens of the United States.
To provide for the
common defense of the United States through the maintenance of a
standing military force to insure the continuing peace and
tranquility of our citizenry.
To serve
faithfully and honorably and to support and defend the Constitution of
the United States against all enemies whatsoever.
This is a broad brush
of the job description of a Congress person. I might add that
it also applies to the President of the United States.
Oh, that it
would be this simple! Folks, we are on the wildest roller coaster
ride that could ever be imagined. The latest and worst dip is the
reelection of President Bush and the ensuing all consuming hatred of him
by the Democratic party. There is no ground for accommodation
between the left and right wings of Congress. The
incompetents in our Defense Department are doing everything within their
power to subvert our medical care unaware that those costs were diverted
from the DD top line for all future beneficiaries.
The
Boltion Ambush and the continuing obstruction of judicial
nominations for the past four years or so are but a few examples of the
dangerous schism that is strangling our congress in its own vomit
I fear
that to look for any possible movement in our efforts to gain Congress's
passage of our promised medical care for life will be in the form of a memorial
sometime after our demise. I also fear the President Bush has
little or no interest in our efforts.
Sincerely,
Bob Roberts
US Army Retired Korea/Vietnam
No doubt that Saddam was a very evil person, pity that Bush had to declare a war (that has killed and wounded our troops as well as many other innocents) when he could have been captured by elite forces etc. in due time , or by putting a price on his head as was / is done to capture terrorists. For the money this President and politicians have spent making Iraq a democratic state; think of the benefits it could pay for that it owes our Warriors of past and present. Amazing how we can pay the price to reform another country yet we can't keep illegal immigrants from entering ours...(including the Mexican border). Why not ask Bush why he wants to let illegal immigrants that worked in this country to draw on our Social Security (they didn't pay into) that they claim is going broke. Any the Warriors are wondering why they don't get their benefits.... Ya gotta own a cattle ranch or an oil well...fella's/ladies :-) You're batting a 100 Riley. Ginny, Veteran from GA/VA The retired, military
veteran is forgotten by the politicians except when it is to their benefit
to wave the flag to seek favor with the voter. Not much is being
said by the media about the men and women returning from Iraq with
disabling injuries. These young people are going to be seeking the
promised medical care that present veterans are attempting to publicize by
the "Brown Bag" effort. They too will find that with
continuing closure of military installations that "space
available" medical treatment is not what the promised medical care
implied. BROKEN PROMISES is, not only a problem of the retired,
military veteran, but a contractual part of the military pay that can be
given in times of strife and taken away when "pork barrel"
funding becomes a priority. James Stone, CMSgt Retired From: Leo Boatright This Congress is the WORST one I can ever remember, I am 83 years old, they should all resign and pay back all the monies they have received under the table, they can't do anything worth while.
THE WAY WE GET THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN CONGRESS
GUARANTEED TO SUPPORT OUR CAUSES AND REQUIREMENTS IS FOR EVERY VET,
RETIREE, AND ACTIVE DUTY TO REGISTER AS A MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN
VETERANS PARTY AND PUT FORTH CANDIDATES WHO MUST BE VETS,
RETIREES OR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY. IF WE VOTE AS A BLOCK, WE CAN ELECT
ANY CONGRESSMAN, SENATOR, OR PRES THAT WE BELIEVE SUPPORTS US FOR A
CHANGE!
GENE MATHEWS, USN, RET
Col. Riley, as usual you've hit the nails right on the head! I
greatly appreciate your comments and continue to press my Senators and
Representative. I'm an iternal optimist, and continue to
have faith that if we hit these guys with enough rocks some of our
comments will penetrate their thik, self-effacing skulls.
Thanks again to you, your son and Col. Day!
Sincerely,
Jack Hagopian
From: Anonymous
WHY DO I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE ROMAN
EMPIRE?
An excellent article. I agree with it in total, and have
experienced the same attitude from our representatives in congress
and the senate. They simply do not reply or, tell me they
will study the problem or bill and respond later which does not
happen.
Thank you, Renneck Wilson From: Anonymous
Bush is a good man and I do not doubt but what he cares for the
on duty military a lot, but he sure as hell does not give a darn
about those who are veterans except when he wants a photo op.
From: Donna Stello
The one thing that just
amazes me about some of our soldiers today, as well as their
families, is how they are looking for compensation for a
myriad of things from the government. Unfortunately,
promises were made to our soldiers who fought many
of the past wars, and most every one of those promises have
been squelched by Congress over the years. Especially in
their older years, when the veterans really need the medical
and financial support. When my father joined the
military (he was not drafted into WWII), he knew what could
happen to him and never asked for a handout. He spent 3
1/2 years in a Japanese Prison Camp and later died from long
term medical difficulties brought on by his captivity.
So when I hear people whining about what's in it for
me.....and increasing compensations to see them into the
"future", it really angers me! Where were
these soldiers and families of today when we were trying to
fight Congress in trying to get back the promises taken away
from our older veterans??? I guess because it didn't
affect them at the time, it just didn't seem important!
I can't imagine why
any thinking person, especially those who have (like me)
been in the military, can applaud any part of Bush's war on
Iraq. I too support the troops there. I want to
bring them home!!!
Cecil Currey
COL, USAR (Ret.)
GOOD WORK- KEEP IT UP.
I recommend that you look
at the "MOAA" [=Military Officers of America,
formerly The Retired Officers Assoc.] and the ROA
[=Reserve Officers Association] we sites for possible
additional information.
These organizations are NOT intended to be political BUT, UNFORTUNATELY the actions of the Party in Power must be the actions that get either the praise of the criticism. At present, criticism predominates.
Ben Lehman Rear Admiral USN Ret.
Harry: You are right, we do have the manpower, but
how to unite all the VSO's under one roof. Maybe someone
with more management skills then l could propose some
type of merger for the benefit of all Vets.
The only other solution l know of would be to start a
union of
'non union' workers. This vast majority, with dues
of less then $1.00 a month, would soon have enough money
to buy the right politicians to get the job done, just
like is done now by others. But l admit getting average
Americans to join with us, would be a tough sell.
As a group, our Congressional leaders are a cesspool of
corruption, consistently seeking to bestow more benefits
unto themselves, caring less then a damn about those who
kept this Country free.
Harry Boone, Eastport, Me. Air Force
Very handy and useful. Great job! I can certainly use this. Greg Atmore, Santa Paula, CA
Nice, Thank You
Frank C. Galford
Chief Petty Officer U.S. Navy, Retired Mr. President:
Well
done...outstanding photos and graphics!
Bob Sawallesh
If you would like to comment, please click here! Submit your ideas to us for posting to our site.
|
||
|
Sure to
Create a Wide Variety of Opinion and Commentary.
Please Return to This Site Often to Become a Part of Our Community. |
||
If you have a comment about this or any other subject matter, please Click Here
©2005 PresidentBushBlog.com |
