Other Columns by Thomas D. Segel
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From the early days of World War II veterans were promised that any and all service related health issues would be treated by the best of modern medicine. Instead, they were given sub standard VA hospitals and clinics, long lines, and the denial of many medical claims.

Veterans who so valiantly participated in the many atomic tests conducted by the United States were among those promised quality care. Some of them have been waiting 30 years and longer to have their claims approved.

The federal government is still moving those shells around for disabled retirees who endure a dollar per dollar deduction from their retired pay to cover their disability compensation. After more than 100 years of cheating military retirees, the disability compensation offset is being removed. However, most of the disabled fall under a ten-year phase-in provision of the law. This means all but a sprinkling of World War II retired veterans and most of the Korean War disabled military retirees will have heard the final sounding of Taps before the first check is written - another move in the political shell game.

Once this nation saw three out of every four members of Congress come from the ranks of military veterans. Today only 35 of 100 Senators have worn the uniform of this country. In the House of Representatives only 119 out of 435 can boast being veterans. This is a smaller percentage of veterans than is found in the national population. With so few lawmakers even understanding the needs of veterans, getting legislation passed to honor the promises of long ago is extremely difficult.

Added to the mix is a Defense Department that views every tax dollar as its private property. Dr. David Chu, a despicable individual, who serves as an Under Secretary of Defense, spends his time giving false testimony denying that promises were made to veterans and military retirees. It is his job to make unsubstantiated claims or send up trial balloons for the Defense Department and the Administration. If there are few screams of rage, another move can be made in the political shell game.

Some members of Congress are truly engaged in the fight to get those many false promises converted into law. But, even they must fight a majority of their members who have no understanding of the military, see nothing wrong with breaking one's word and really believe political shell games are a normal way of life. Just as on the carnival midway, the only winners in that game are the ones moving those shells.

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Note -- The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, views, and/or philosophy of GOPUSA.

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