U.S. Congressional Candidate Greg Rabidoux Releases Calls to Action on Veteran Issues

Introduction

Main Item

Here is the link to the forum recorded live on ustream today: www.ustream.tv/recorded/8421028

"We need to do a better job of keeping our promise to Veterans to honor them as they kept their promise to all of us on the field of battle," said Rabidoux. "This touches upon the areas of ensuring quality medical care, benefit eligibility, transferability of benefits, educational assistance, civilian workplace job readiness and training, eradicating veterans homelessness and promoting lifelong veteran, military family and spouse financial security. After a year of campaigning- listening to and talking with veterans across the district and our state and in reviewing the voting record of incumbent Marsha Blackburn, it is clear to me that our veterans do not have the advocate they need right now in Congress. They will have such a champion for them when I am elected to serve them and my fellow Tennesseans in the 7th District."

After Rabidoux welcomed the audience, he cited vital statistics:

• Almost a TRILLION dollars of U.S. taxpayers' funds have been spent or approved for spending on war-related expenses through 9/2010.
• In 2009 the monthly spending in Iraq averaged $7.3 billion as of Oct
• The Congressional Research Service asserts that the cost of deploying one soldier for one year in Iraq is $390,000
• 56% of all homeless veterans are African American or Hispanic, even though African Americans make up about 12.9% of the general population and Hispanics about 15%.
• 1.5 million veterans are considered at-risk to be homeless and below poverty level
• The US ICH reports 75% of our veterans say they experience problems with alcohol, drugs or mental health issues.

Rabidoux asserted that incumbent Blackburn has not given veterans anything but lip service for their service to our country. Her voting record is clear on this issue:

• Blackburn voted "NO" on HR 3159 which set a mandatory troop rest period between deployments
• She voted "NO" on HR 2642, the GI Bill expansion
• She voted "NO" on HR 2206, the survivors and dependents education assistance program

Rabidoux then outlined 10 Calls to Action to Improve the Health, Security and Safety of Veterans:

1. Improved collaboration and cooperation between the Department of Defense and Department of Veteran Affairs to improve veteran understanding of benefit eligibility & use.
2. Reduce backlog of veteran disability claims and fund disbursements
3. Improve screening, diagnosis, treatment and care of traumatic injuries, both physical and emotional as well as Traumatic Brain Injury
4. Fully Implement and enforce 21st century GI Bill, allow educational benefit transferability
5. Improve the workforce readiness and hiring of veterans through targeted tax incentives and wage subsidies
6. Improve marketing, educating and counseling to veterans for home loan eligibility and loan debt/default forgiveness
7. Address and attack serious veteran homelessness issue
8. Establish a specific fund through the Department of Veteran Affairs to finance the retro-fitting of homes for disabled veterans
9. Make permanent and improve oversight in line with Inspector General's finding of VA hospitals
10. Support the Military Officer's Association of America's call on Pentagon to review and repeal recent decision to limit military spouse's eligibility for participation in the successful 'My Career Advancement Account Program'

Rabidoux announced that he supports the establishment of a National Veterans and Military Family Savings Bond Program.

Rabidoux also noted a recent Gallup Poll and article in Time magazine have revealed health disparities in Veterans, especially in female veterans. "And yet, incumbent Congressman Blackburn has a voting record of not supporting the well-being of our veterans. This is unacceptable. We have to pay more than lip service. Our Veterans kept their promise to serve their country. Now we need to make good on our promise to take care of them."

In addition Rabidoux also announced several key endorsements:

Bob Tuke was an active duty Marine officer and served in Vietnam where he was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry in combat. He is a director of the TN State Veterans Homes Board. He also is a member of the Nashville Marine Corps Coordinating Council. Tuke served as Chairman of the TN Democratic Party in 2005-06.

Jim Jones is a Vietnam Veteran in Williamson County. "Greg has convinced me that he would represent veterans, military and military family rights," said Jones. "Our current representative, Blackburn, voted against the GI Bill that would have greatly helped current military and veterans. We need someone who will truly represent our district.- we need Greg Rabidoux."

Jesse Lee is a Vietnam Veteran (Army, Sgt E5) and Chair of Perry County Veteran's Association "As a Vietnam Veteran, I support Greg for Congress," said Lee. "Greg is a good man who understands the needs and issues that Veterans face. I know he will do everything he can to improve the health and safety of Veterans."

Robert Lewis is a Veteran (SGM) of 24+ years of a military service including tours in Vietnam, Germany and Iraq. Lewis said, "Since retiring in 1994, I have witnessed first hand the lip service handed out to military service veterans. I have watched representatives turn a deaf ear to the needs of veterans, while catering to the wishes of corporations. After speaking with Greg and examining his position on issues, I provide my endorsement. We have a chance to elect a Rep who will fight for the needs of Veterans. We need to elect Greg, a Representative who cares and is willing to fight for us."

Maura Satchell identifies herself as a "Blue Star Mom and a Veterans Advocate." She is also the Southern Regional Coor for the DNC Veteran and Military Families. Satchell said, "Painfully aware of the negative voting record of Rep. Blackburn when it comes to veteran and military family issues, I am very pleased to lend my support to Rabidoux. As a military family member himself, Greg knows what it is like to have a loved one "transition back" to civilian life after serving. The sacrifice of serving one's country does not end when the Uniform is retired, and is not limited to the service member herself. As a teacher of college students who have deigned to put themselves in harm's way, Greg recognizes the cost of fighting wars includes not only the expense of going to war, but supporting them once they've come home. Blackburn has never gotten that concept and while her votes have enriched defense contractors and military weapons manufacturers through no-bid contracts and blank checks, her thriftiness when it comes to supporting those who've worn the uniform is shameful. It is time TN's 7th District have a representative that understands all the costs of war and is willing to back up those who've served. It is time for Greg Rabidoux."

"I am honored by these endorsements from our veterans and those who have devoted themselves to serving their needs," said Rabidoux. "I will fulfill the promise our nation has made to our veterans. I will not let them or their families down."

Rabidoux is running for US Congress in the 7th District. He currently teaches American Politics and Constitutional Law at Austin Peay State Univ in Clarksville. Rabidoux also wrote a book, Hollywood Politicos, Then and Now, which was published in 2009 and has received top reviews. Dr. Rabidoux wants his grassroots campaign to bring back power to the people of District 7 of Tennessee. "This campaign isn't about party labels; it is about the best person for the job," says Rabidoux. "Tennesseans want someone to work for their family. And I will do that."