Moore letter: Politicians and veterans

I’m outraged at our politicians. Nearly every day I receive requests from groups raising money to help our veterans. Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate veterans’ service and do contribute as much as I can. The question is, why is this necessary? Our politicians were quick to send them off to foreign lands to fight for our freedoms and they did so to the best of their ability. Thousands were injured, maimed and/or psychologically damaged. They came home (if not killed) to find that our country would not commit the necessary resources to provide the best timely medical care, the best wheelchairs, prosthesis and psychological care. The excuse — we don’t have the money. That infuriates me. Politicians find funds to support dictators, to fund frivolous research projects or to waste money on every conceivable project. The various government agencies support overseas projects for countries that never support us. The $43 million to build a gas station in Afghanistan is a recent example. I would hope that the congressmen from Idaho would be outraged and would demand change. Thus far they haven’t. Our priority must be to serve our returning veterans. Anything less is unacceptable.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Moore letter: Politicians and veterans."