Although we all applaud Rep. Kinzinger’s military service, The Veterans Jobs Act (H.R. 5712) he supports seems to be little more than an empty shell designed to offer the appearance of veteran advocacy during campaign season. The apparent lack of funding of any kind to substantially improve the lives of young military people and their families who have sacrificed so much in the name of America and democracy is startling.
The bill seems to do little more than show veterans how to fill out resumes and asks businesses to voluntarily “mentor” returning troops. Nowhere in the bill is there a guarantee of employment for returning vets. Nowhere does the bill seek to alleviate the financial burdens faced by returning vets, who are paid a fraction of what private military contractors receive for performing the same functions. Nowhere does the bill stop foreclosures and bill collecting that await many returning soldiers.
Our veterans and their families made real sacrifices; soldiers faced imminent death in the name of this country and deserve nothing less than the very best transitioning assistance when they return home. They need to go to the top of the list for jobs. They deserve a top-notch education to help jump start their civilian lives. They deserve to know their homes are still there when they get home, and that simply because they received small military paychecks they will not be hounded by bill collectors and lose their homes. And they deserve the best medical care possible for the injuries they sustained both physical and psychological.
Shell games and words won’t make this happen. We need to put our money where our desire for security is.
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