Giving Voice to Veterans Issues

The next presidential election is less than a year away. Presidential hopefuls are working hard to put their views and goals in front of the public and downplay or undermine the accomplishments of their rivals at the same time. While it can be irritating to sift through the mudslinging and drama to get to the real meat of the issues, there is no better time than now to present your views and needs as a veteran to those who may be potentially taking office in 2016. What would you like the next president to address when he or she takes office?

Veterans’ Issues

For veterans, there are a number of issues that the next president should address while in office, including:

• High rates of suicide
• Homelessness
• Low employment rates
• Need for education assistance
• Need for reform of the VA
• Increased attention to the needs of female veterans

As politicians debate the healthcare system, the ongoing budget crisis, whether or not marijuana should be legalized for medicinal use at the federal level, and how best to handle foreign policy, it’s important to remind those who are poised to take the helm of the government that there are individuals who have served their country who must be connected with the resources they need to thrive.

Speaking Out

How do you go from determining what needs to change in the systems that impact your life as a veteran to sharing that information with the people who can potentially do something about it? As a voter, your voice matters, and not a single politician wants to be the one who is seen as callous to the needs of veterans. You can reach out and share your opinions by:

· Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper

· Joining a veterans activist or lobby group

· Attending debates in person and submitting questions in advance

· Following politicians on social media, such as Twitter and Facebook, and posting your concerns there

· Writing a letter directly to the politician of your choice and then posting the response publicly so others can know their stance and vote accordingly

Tips

Though your understanding of the needs of veterans in general may come from your personal experience and that experience may be deeply emotional for you, it’s important to keep a few pointers in mind as you craft your questions and pose your suggestions for potential politicians.

• Avoid aggressive comments or hostility. If a politician has said things that you find offensive or has a professional and/or personal history that suggests that that person may not be receptive to the plight of veterans in this country, it is unlikely you will change anyone’s mind by being rude or condescending. Instead, remain professional, calm, and stick to the facts.
• Work together with others who are likeminded. There is strength in numbers.
• Do your research. The last thing you want to do is undermine your cause by presenting evidence that is inaccurate. You also don’t want to finally get the attention of someone who can do something about your requests and not have the information they need to take action.
• Be persistent. Keep talking to people, keep bringing up the issues, continue to keep the conversation alive, and don’t stop until veterans have the support they need.

This article was originally published by Michael Blackburn, retired Providence Fire Department Battalion Chief and senior VP of Business Development at American Addiction Centers, on LinkedIn.