War On The Va Challenge

[Speaking Out]

I pledge to track Indiana politicians on their actions for Veterans. I am challenging others on this board to pledge to do the same for their state. Any thoughts? We can keep each other aware of what the politicians are doing and what they are not doing and publish telephone numbers when an important issue is coming up and send a message to these people that WE will not be ignored anymore,nor will we be split by our conflicts we served in, and that the voting Veteran block will stand united to elect officials that are committed to keeping the promises made to Veterans. We are all a family and WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN.

[Testvet]

it's easy to track your elected officials go to VA Watchdog.org and go down to the bottom and they have a section where it says see how your rep votes it has grades from DAV and another vet group as avergae Republicans support vet issues 30% of the time while Democrats have a 70% or better voting record on vet issues maybe it was just because they have been the minority party for the past 15 years and were voting to spite republicans but so far this year is seems to still be the same ration Dems support vets and the republicans vote against stuff that costs money this isn't a political statement just a statement of fact I hope the future keeps the same voting ratio and the vets and troops get 70-80% support from the majority party WE DESERVE IT

[rentalguy1]

I pledge to keep an eye on the Tennessee politicians and to hound them to no end on issues of veteran's care. I am also about "this close" to changing my party affilliation over this one issue. I hate to be a one issue voter, and I disagree morally with about everything the democrats stand for, but something has to give, and the republicans are getting worse and worse on most issues. Political rant over, sorry to offend anyone.

[Speaking Out]

This is what I did today. I called the Indiana Dept. of Veterans Affairs. I got to speak to the Director, Tom Applegate. I asked for a meeting to put our heads together at a state level to help our Indiana Veterans. He was unaware of the CNN broadcast, I informed him about it. I will be meeting with him after the holiday. I contacted my local news media and informed them of the CNN story and I have a meeting with an Indianapolis Star reporter on Wednesday. I called my Congressman, and 2 Senators. I got return calls from two and I plan to put their feet to fire about Veteran issues. I've contacted these guys before when I needed help getting my computer proposal to the VA and it was a horrendous ordeal. I let them know that I'd like to give them an opportunity to make things right and start supporting Veteran's issues. I found out that another Congressman, Joe Donelly from Indiana is introducing a bill for the VA to start paying compensation when a claim is filed. I have to do the research on what his idea actually says and I find the timing suspect, but I requested a sit down with him and we'll see if when he gets back to me if it ever happens. I was so afraid to make this challenge because I want this to not become partisan. A Veteran is a Veteran no matter what party he or she is affiliated with and this is not a right or left issue it is our issue, a Veteran issue. I am not voicing my political preference because what I prefer is private, but what I prefer right now is that our elected officials pull their heads out of the sand and take a stand for us because we have been willing to stand up for our country.

I also called the Obama and Clinton offices and told them they need to come out with a pledge in writing before Thanksgiving that they will support Veteran issues. Let's use our Voices as Veterans to give'em the whole nine yards!!!!

Edited November 19, 2007 by Speaking Out

[Stretch]

Indiana's rep Buyer, seems to have his eye on CEO of QTC job and maybe even the Secretary of Veterans Administration position. He has voted in line with former position holders. This could be a great help to Veterans.

http://www.vawatchdog.org/old%20newsflashe...0-30-2006-1.htm

[Testvet]

Hillary has endorsed full mandatory funding and has an extensive veterans group and LTG McPeak AF is Barack Obama's veterans leader they are both is full support of veterans issues they both fully support veterans. I agree this is not about left or right politics this is about wallet issues for us the American veterans we can't spend good intentions we need action and support not campaign promises

"A Promise Made Is A Promise Kept" didn't go to far did it, campaign promises are worthless show me the MONEY

[Speaking Out]

I just spoke to Marty Morris, Chief of Staff, for Senator Lugar's office. I asked him if the Senator would sign a pledge to support Veteran issues as long as what comes across his desk is done in a responsible manner. He informed me the Senator does not sign pledges. I asked him the same question and asked for a yes or no answer. His answer was YES. I asked him if someone in his office could put something in writing to post and he said that he speaks for the Senator and his answer was YES. He then went on to say..."The only thing the Senator can do is vote more money." I tried to express that is not the case that money isn't the only answer. He said...."I'm not going to argue this with you." Now, I thought we were having a discussion. Our voices were not raised, we were not interupting each other, he returned my call and I thanked him for returning it. Arguing? I'm a wife, a mother of a 6 year old, a rape survivor, 50% PTSD rating, I know arguing and we were having a discussion. It sent a loud message to me though. When ever a Veteran uses their voice to question the system to make it better, we are perceived incorrectly. I don't know this guy. I might like him, I know he'd like me becuase I am a nice person, but my point is that he had already made up his mind about me before he had his assistant dial my number. I called Mr. Lugar's office to give my home state Senator a chance to let me know that Veteran issues are important to him and he'll be better than what he has been in his 31 years from today forward. I got a yes answer, but actions speak louder than words. Please post things here that I can comprise together and take to the Senator to ask him to keep his word. I phrased the question in a way to show good faith that he would not be expected to vote yes or support something dumb like free golf for all Veterans. My point with that is, I have seen some really great ideas posted on hadit and there are people here who know which regs need changed, done away with, and enforced. I'm looking for those types of suggestions. Put on your thinking caps and let's go.