The phrase "homeless veteran" should not exist in an advanced democracy

[Recursion]

That is all. It should be a hypothetical or historical phrase only.

[NYC_SKP]

1. As should "18 Veterans commit suicide each day".

And every time I post that figure I feel like I have to Google it to verify, and when I do it turns out still to be true.

:cry:

On Edit, links:

http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/04/military_veterans_suicide_042210w/

http://www.naturalnews.com/032598_veterans_suicide.html

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2011/05/25/114777/senators-tell-va-to-reduce-veteran.html

...

[Recursion]

3. Thank you, NYC

Whenever people "thank me for my service" I say "if you do appreciate it, give to the USO".

And, yes, it's all too true (though the statistician in me has to remind you that 10 of those 18 are "normal" for the age range, which is a problem in itself). But thank you so much for caring.

[Xithras]

2. I disagree.

Veterans don't magically deserve perks that are unavailable to the rest of the population. Serving your nation is an honorable thing, but it doesn't make you better than anyone else.

The way that statement should have been written:

The phrase "homeless" should not exist in an advanced democracy

Nobody should be without a home. Veteran or otherwise.

[leftstreet]

4. 'The phrase "homeless" should not exist in an advanced democracy'

:applause:

[Morning Dew]

6. +1

[Recursion]

7. I do agree too

I guess I am kind of in a bad place because I just revisted my squad from Iraq, 1/4 of whom are at this point homeless. It took me about 3 weeks to find them all. I do agree that nobody in the richest nation in the world should be homeless, ever. But, for Christ's sake, I feel like my Marines should never have to worry.

Anyways, I get your point, and politically, you're right: decent housing is a right, not something people earn. But just bear with me as a former sergeant that I can't bear the thought of my Marines sleeping under bridges.

[Xithras]

8. They're your friends.

I get it. I found out that an old friend of mine was homeless recently, and it bugged the hell out of me. I have a nice house, and he's living in a motel room with his three kids on borrowed money. It's one thing to know that there are homeless people out there, and another to realize that it's your own family, friends, or former brothers in arms. You're feeling what we all feel when we find out that the important people in our lives are in a bad spot, and that society doesn't seem to give a damn. It's a cold mix of grief and anger.

We need to end homelessness. For everyone. The "bastion of democracy" and "richest nation on Earth" shouldn't have people sleeping under its bridges. There is no excuse for it.

[Book Lover]

9. This (nm)

[Odin2005]

5. The word "HOMELESS" should not exist is a just society, PERIOD.

In a just society there would be no homeless people.

[rainbow4321]

10. The VA has a program for homeless vets

They qualify for it if they have been homeless for 2 years...they then can get paid housing for a year as well as utilities paid. Not sure what happens after that but assuming that they are working during that year and not havning to pay rent/utilities they can save up some money. I work at a VA facility and a co worker was talking about it. I know around here, the homeless vet can access the program thru the hospital services.
Another service: the hospital hires vets who need a second chance in life into the housekeeping department. I don't know all the qualifications for that program but many have criminal background problems or other issues that may keep them from finding an outside job. As long as they want to put in an honest day's work, they get paid and I think after 6 months or a year they get benefits.