As if we need something else to be ashamed of.
Veterans make up one in four homeless people in the United States, though they are only 11 percent of the general adult population, according to a report to be released Thursday.
And homelessness is not just a problem among middle-age and elderly veterans. Younger veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are trickling into shelters and soup kitchens seeking services, treatment or help with finding a job.
Another headline this morning: Returning to work a problem for reservists.
This is right in line with the "save the fetus, but don't help the child" thinking among neocons. Support our troops, but screw 'em when they come home.
The data in the article on homeless veterans is from 2005. We don't know how many more returning veterans are now homeless, but given the problems in workplace discrimination, lack of mental health services, and poor medical treatment on top of the financial stresses we all experience in housing costs, heating costs, transportation costs, food costs, I imagine it's only getting worse.
This just makes me want to cry. We ask our soldiers to do their best, to go into horrible situations and (sometimes) do horrible things. Then when they get home, they're no longer honored soldiers but bums.
I have to confess that when I see a homeless person, I assume they're in that situation because they screwed up by drinking, taking drugs, and not making the effort to work. Yep, screwed up thinking I know. And it's ridiculous to blame the folks who drink and drug because many are self-medicating for physical or mental health issues they can't afford to have treated. Apart from that, so many of us are a job loss away from homelessness.
This holiday season will be tightly budgeted. Heating costs are going to be through the roof, as will fuel costs. I won't have much to spare. But what I do have will go to those who don't have a home to heat or a car to fuel.
As you're budgeting for the holidays, please include some money and time for the homeless. You'll be supporting the troops.
Consider your local charities, as well as:
National Alliance to End Homelessness
US Vets