Veterans part of big political issues in next election

By Julia Romero Gusse

The critical issues and political rhetoric discussed in the next election cycle will be more of the same issues involving immigration reform/control, healthcare reform, with the added bonus of gender equality as Hillary Clinton makes her push to be elected as the first female President of the United States of America. These issues also relate to veterans.

Immigration
On Memorial Day I received a few emails recognizing the contributions and ultimate sacrifice of our fallen brothers and sisters who lost their lives in the service of our country. One of those individuals was Marine Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez, who died in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was born in Guatemala and made his journey to the United States without entry papers or documentation – an illegal immigrant, who was granted American citizenship posthumously.

President Bush’s 2002 executive order declared that immigrants in the military were eligible for expedited naturalization and went as far as to grant citizenship on the spot, at the hospital beds of two wounded non-citizen veterans.

The Immigration and Nationality Act Section 329A followed, allowing for posthumous U.S. citizenship to be granted to non-citizens who served honorably. No matter what your stance is on immigration reform, this “Act” seemed a bit condescending. A human being is good enough to die for this country but not good enough to live a productive life in this country.

Healthcare
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), aka ObamaCare, is a convoluted law that has started a storm of rage among many Americans. The Phoenix VA was at the epicenter of the inadequate healthcare that is provided to our nation’s veterans. It was reported that veterans died on a waiting list because they did not receive the adequate services they were in need of, services that they deserved and services that they had earned.

Gender Equality
Women are the fastest growing group of veterans in this country. Females have been serving in the military since the Spanish-American War and it is estimated that women comprise 14.5 percent of all active duty military (as of September 2011). When many of these veterans enter civilian life, they will not only make 78 cents for every dollar earned by men, they will also have to live with MST. Military sexual trauma is the term used by VA for sexual assault or sexual harassment. A woman who signs up to protect her county in our U.S. military is more likely to be raped by a fellow comrade than be killed by enemy fire.

America’s veterans are a small population and it is estimated that every day 22 veterans commit suicide. Contributing factors are PTSD, MST, drug abuse, other psychological issues, lack of employment, financial issues and the unfortunate lack of proper services available. I have been working with and for our veterans for several years now and it is unfortunate that those in the most need will be the last ones to ask for help.

Julia Romero Gusse is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.