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TechnoCultural Activist, Cultural Health and Physical Health Practitioner
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Poll: Veterans Day, My Dad, Health Care and Me

News Type: Opinion — Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:26 PM EST

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I think our vets should get no charge health care

Strongly Agree
Somewhat Agree
Somewhat Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Other Explain
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My Dad on the left WWII and me Vietnam Era

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Veterans day came this week and it reminded me of my dad and my time in the service. We both needed health care while serving and we got the best the Army had to offer. Shouldn't all citizens have access to quality health care?

Did you know that most veterans don't get Veterans Administration health care unless they have a service related illness/injury or meet means test requirements? This means many "middle class" Vets don't have VA or any other health care. 25% of the nation's homeless are veterans. Somehow these realities don't seem to me like we are remembering our veterans like we should.

Health Care Reform just passed the House and is moving through the Senate, did you notice that there are no provisions in these bills for "no cost health care" for all veterans? It strikes me today, that on these days of remembrance, we can and should do more for our vets and their families.

Veterans day and Memoral day are both special to me. They are days to remember and honor our country's serving, served and fallen and our Culture's serving, served and fallen. On these days I especially remember my dad Marlin in World War II, and his fathers in World War Zero (WW0).

Every Holy Day (holiday) is a Cultural Literacy opportunity. To learn more about World War Zero, hit the link and tell me what you think. Newsvine - Memorial Day - My Dad and My Culture If you are one of the 2+ Billion Black people in the world you should know about WW0. All human beings should know about all the major wars, for it is our best defense against having them happen again. If you are an African American in the military you have a duty to know about WW0, WWI and WWII, not just the last two.

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{"commentId":10693548,"authorDomain":"Aunk"}
Aunk (The Cultural Health Guy)

Don't Just vote Talk back. Do you know or have Vets in your family?

{"commentId":10693548,"threadId":"725165","contentId":"3504935","authorDomain":"Aunk"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#1 - Sun Nov 15, 2009 7:29 PM EST
{"commentId":10694803,"authorDomain":"mooncrow"}
MoonCrow

Aunk ... Thank you ... and your dad ... for serving our country.

My husband is a Korean War veteran. He gets some health-care benefits from a VA Clinic in our area, because he served four years. I am not privy to those benefits. Personally, I think that if someone serves four or more years ... especially when a war or conflict is involved ... then they and their spouse (and kids up to 18 years of age) should have life-time health-care benefits through the Veterans Administration. This is not a benefit that would impact the private health-care provider sector, and many veterans may not wish to take advantage of this service. It would, however, be available to those who served our country and had need of this service.

I don't think anyone else should be privy to the Veterans Administration health-care system, unless it is somehow overhauled to include other citizens for whatever reason.

My husband is not African-American or from any other ethnic group. I don't think this should make any difference.

{"commentId":10694803,"threadId":"725165","contentId":"3504935","authorDomain":"mooncrow"}
  • 2 votes
Reply#2 - Sun Nov 15, 2009 9:41 PM EST
{"commentId":10697134,"authorDomain":"Aunk"}
Aunk (The Cultural Health Guy)

Hetep and Respect MoonCrow, thanks for sharing. I too get some VA health benefits (not dental).

Personally, I think that if someone serves four or more years ... especially when a war or conflict is involved ... then they and their spouse (and kids up to 18 years of age) should have life-time health-care benefits through the Veterans Administration.

I think most Americans would agree with you. However, our representatives in congress, including many Democrats, do not represent this reality. The challenge is how to connect the two, any ideas?

My husband is not African-American or from any other ethnic group. I don't think this should make any difference.

Agreed, a Vet is a Vet. Things that don't make a difference in a foxhole should not make a difference in a life poll.

- I am neither a democrat nor a republican nor an independent, but have voted for all of them.

I am a Dem, but in many ways feel this way.

P.S. How did you get your handle MoonCrow and what does it mean? (always trying to improve my Cultural Literacy). Love your avatar.

{"commentId":10697134,"threadId":"725165","contentId":"3504935","authorDomain":"Aunk"}
  • 2 votes
#2.1 - Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:45 AM EST
{"commentId":10699074,"authorDomain":"mooncrow"}
MoonCrow

Thanks Aunk. MoonCrow is the name I use for my artwork, in hopes of marketing it under that business name when I retire. I love the moon, and absolutely adore crows and ravens. I created the avatar in CorelDraw/Photopaint.

{"commentId":10699074,"threadId":"725165","contentId":"3504935","authorDomain":"mooncrow"}
  • 3 votes
#2.2 - Mon Nov 16, 2009 10:06 AM EST
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{"commentId":10702062,"authorDomain":"havens11"}
Ozark Mountain Sage

My Dad and my Uncles served in WWII. My older Second Cousins served in Korea. For my Brothers and I it was not a mater of if, it was a mater of when we would enlist. I was the oldest and served in the US Navy, enlisting in 1963 and a extremely high security clearance kept me out of Vietnam. My younger Brother served in the US Army and went to Vietnam where he received a Purple Heart. My youngest Brother served in the US Air Force and did not have to serve in Vietnam. Many of my Cousins and friends served in Vietnam, a few of my Cousins and friends received Purple Hearts.

Many of us are now in the care of the VA where our only charge is the co-payment for our medication ($8.00). The VA has come through for us and is giving us very good care. All disabled Veterans should receive this kind of care without charge except for the co-payment for the medication.

Even if I have mine, I think all needy Americans should receive medical care with a minimum co-payment ($3.00 payable to the Doctor). There should also be a minimum co-payment for medication($2.00 payable to the Pharmacist).

{"commentId":10702062,"threadId":"725165","contentId":"3504935","authorDomain":"havens11"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#3 - Mon Nov 16, 2009 12:36 PM EST
{"commentId":10712767,"authorDomain":"Aunk"}
Aunk (The Cultural Health Guy)

Hetep and Respect Ozark Mountain Sage, thanks for sharing you family and friends service to our nation.

Even if I have mine, I think all needy Americans should receive medical care with a minimum co-payment ($3.00 payable to the Doctor). There should also be a minimum co-payment for medication($2.00 payable to the Pharmacist).

I agree, if some one is to get money from us, it should be the people doing the work, doctors, nurses, etc. It is interesting to note that people who have served our nation in a positive spirit, want all American to have access to reasonable care if they get sick.

{"commentId":10712767,"threadId":"725165","contentId":"3504935","authorDomain":"Aunk"}
  • 3 votes
#3.1 - Mon Nov 16, 2009 8:35 PM EST
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