Politically Threatening Disabled, Seniors, and Veterans

Introduction

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Republican from Kentucky, has made certain statements recently that are profoundly anti-disability and anti-senior.

Main Digest

Understand that it is the Congress in America that controls the finances in this nation. Mr. McConnell makes statements in attempts to divert responsibility for an incredibly brutal effort to deny America's People with Disabilities, Seniors, and Veterans of the support that keeps us from utter and complete poverty and homelessness.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell states:

"What will happen is the administration will send out notices to 80 million Social Security recipients and to military families and they will all start attacking members of Congress. That is not a useful place to take us."

Mr. McConnell has no concern whatsoever for the millions of People with Disabilities, Seniors, and Veterans in America who would find themselves unable to pay rent, utility bills, buy food to eat, pay co-pays for health care, or purchase a prescription medication. Instead, Mr. McConnell is more concerned about the Republican Party's, 'place.' He is more concerned about the response the Republican leadership will receive than the People with Disabilities, Seniors, and Veterans who would suffer should their support be yanked out from underneath them.

These are not the last of Mr. McConnell's selfish worries; he also states:

"And all of a sudden we have co-ownership of a bad economy. That is a very bad position going into an election. My first choice was to do something important for the country. But my second obligation is to my party and my conference to prevent them from being sucked into a horrible position politically...."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell speaks for the Republican Party. From a disability perspective, his words are saying the Republican leadership is far more concerned about being re-elected than anything else. Mr. McConnell's statement of wanting to do something good for this nation is worthless from a disability perspective - he didn't even bother to mention People with Disabilities, Seniors, or the Veterans of this nation with any level of real concern. All Mr. McConnell is concerned about is ensuring that the Republican Party saves face and that its leadership gets re-elected. There is no concern at all for the 80 Million people who will be affected should the government fail to send out Social Security and Veterans checks.

Nancy Pelosi stated:

"I've heard some on the other side say we should pay the Chinese government before we send out a Social Security check." When Nancy says, 'some on the other side,' she is referring to the Republican leadership. Remember the fact that it is the Congress that controls the financial matters in America, and that it is controlled by Republicans.

Another Republican is attempting to place the blame for this on the Democrats; Senator John Cornyn. Senator Cornyn is a Republican from the State of Texas. Senator Cornyn states:

"The Obama Administration may go so far as to send letters to Social Security and Medicare recipients, or to federal employees, including members of our armed forces, in the days ahead claiming that they may not receive their due compensation and benefits."

Should such letters go out, it is important to remember that they have been sent out because the Republicans have failed to recognize the 80 Million People with Disabilities, Seniors, and Veterans of this nation and are more concerned with being re-elected than anything else. These are the same Republicans who would pay back debt to China before ensuring that People with Disabilities and Seniors have food to eat, or a roof over their heads.

The Veterans Administration (VA) presents soldiers who become disabled while serving this nation with the lowest possible disability rating it can on a regular basis. The VA does this to save taxpayer dollars. The VA also uses a grossly outdated disability rating system from World War II. For these reasons, many Veterans with Disabilities find themselves on Social Security Disability as well as receiving VA benefits.

The veterans who have served this nation honorably deserve more than neglect. It is incredibly negligent for the Republican leadership to even consider failing to present us with the benefits we have earned. Using the Veterans of this nation as political pawns is not only immoral, it is hateful.

If the Republican leadership in this nation prevents veterans benefits from being distributed they will be breaking a trust between America and every single member of the Armed Forces. Veterans who have served this nation did so with the understanding that this nation would be here for us when our service was done. We served this nation in agreement with America that we would receive the benefits we have earned. If the Republican leadership breaks this trust, they can never be trusted again.

Author Credentials:

Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant Thomas has assisted people from a variety of racial, religious, gender, class, and age groups by providing care for people with all forms of disabilities from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson's; para and quadriplegia to Spina Bifida. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.

Related Publications▶ Share This Page

Page Information, Citing and Disclaimer

Disabled World is a comprehensive online resource that provides information and news related to disabilities, assistive technologies, and accessibility issues. Founded in 2004 our website covers a wide range of topics, including disability rights, healthcare, education, employment, and independent living, with the goal of supporting the disability community and their families.

Cite This Page (APA): Weiss, T. C. (2011, July 14 - Last revised: 2022, February 14). Politically Threatening Disabled, Seniors, and Veterans. Disabled World. Retrieved September 17, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/editorials/political/threatening.php

Permalink: <a href="https://www.disabled-world.com/editorials/political/threatening.php">Politically Threatening Disabled, Seniors, and Veterans</a>: If the Republican leadership prevents veterans benefits from being distributed they will be breaking a trust between America and members of the Armed Forces.

Disabled World provides general information only. Materials presented are never meant to substitute for qualified medical care. Any 3rd party offering or advertising does not constitute an endorsement.