A simple question in the world of Veterans Affairs, always seems to have a confabulated answer, usually one without a logical reason.
Why are benefits for disabled veterans so disparate and varied from one state to the next? Is all this States Rights stuff really good for the overall order of the American way? I think not. In fact I think it has contributed to a very unique form of City/State narcissism.
Taking on the Federal Government and its largess has become a religion. ( Religion is from the Latin root “religere” meaning to rebind oneself to nature- nothing institutional in the word.) Just talk to a Second Amendment citizen and the whole subject commences right after their Cheerios in the morning and dogs them until bedtime. As of today, their are absolutely NO changes in gun laws. My guns and yours are still clean, operating and safe. I for one do not believe this will ever change. Anything else is disguised fund raising for ego causes.
But back to disabled vets. Why do so few get lathered up about them? Why not a national movement to help families of deployed soldiers whose wives have to pawn the family car for the mortgage payment?
While one of our own veterans and State Representative Frank Antenori wants to bear down on the disenfranchised and food stamp abuse, he may do well to understand that many of the reservists and active duty soldiers and Marines are on Food Stamps to survive. Why no lather here?
Why do so many states have tuition waivers at State Universities for the dependents of disabled veterans? They take Federal monies willingly. Why not return the favor to those who provide the liberty and academic freedom to exist? Take it out of the undisclosed parking revenue. No outrage here. Largely because veteran causes do not provide a mirror to see yourself in while lathering.
Why do so many states exempt 100% disabled veterans from property taxes? Not Arizona! The home of two of the largest military bases in the nation, is the most backward in offering gratitude to its veterans. Our Senator John McCain did not even vote for the new GI Bill. He abstained on the first go around. How heroic is that? JD Hayworth would help, I am sure, if his picture was on something.
I proposed the tuition breaks for dependents of 100% disabled veterans to the State Legislature on three occasions. Not very novel, just a copy cat proposal from other states. It never gets out of committee. Yet we say; ” Support The Troops.”
Would anyone mind telling us what Arizonans or Americans at large have sacrificed to support the troops? What did you do last week to support the war effort and our young men and women coming home?
Where is Rosie the Riveter when we need her?