Eric Massa for Congress - NY 29 VETERANS BENEFITS

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Eric's Position on Veterans

As far as I'm concerned, "Support the Troops" is a serious, long-term commitment, not just a slogan - and Congress plays a crucial role here. Today, even as our soldiers are in harm's way in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Administration has instituted a cynical policy of quietly cutting veterans' benefits, in almost every area. During the first 6 years of the Bush Administration, the Republican-controlled Congress closed VA hospitals, slashed disability compensation, and cut back on educational programs and job training. This is all in the name of cost-cutting, yet they thought we could afford massive tax breaks for corporations and the very wealthy.

I will press the fight for fair treatment of men and women in uniform, and their families, who have made such enormous sacrifices to serve their country. To do any less is unconscionable. To begin with, we can take care of soldiers before they become veterans, and provide the military with adequate body armor and equipment. My top four veterans' priorities:

Fully fund the VA's health care requirements, and expand Canandaigua VA Hospital services. Iraq war veterans are returning with much higher rates of traumatic brain injury and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Facilities like the Canandaigua VA Hospital, which specializes in this field, are desperately needed and should be expanded, not shut down.

Make funding the VA budget mandatory, not discretionary. We don't give our veterans health care, disability compensation, or educational assistance; they earn it. VA funding shouldn't be up for grabs with every budget cycle.

Eliminate financial penalties on disabled veterans and survivors who also get Social Security. For survivors it's the "Widow's Tax," where the spouse of a deceased soldier gets his/her Social Security benefits reduced by a 35% to 55% "offset." For veterans it's called "concurrent receipts." These penalties should end -- now. See my 'Taxes' platform and the list of Hidden Taxes.

Improve Health and Education Benefits for the National Guard and Reserves. Guardsmen and Reservists and their families these days make similar sacrifices as the regular military -- but without the same benefits. Many return with no health care coverage whatsoever, no jobs, and little or no educational support. Veterans health care programs should cover them fully, and we should improve their educational benefits.

Blogs

Reflections on Veterans Day by a Veteran
Nov 11 by Eric Massa

On Veterans Day, in small towns and in our largest cities, in rural and in urban areas, Americans will be asked to step back and offer public recognition to the Veterans of America's Armed Services. It is fitting and just that we do so for without them there would be no America.

What Supporting the Troops Really Means
Oct 22 by Eric Massa

If you really want to support the troops you have to do more than just put a magnetic sticker on your vehicle. �Among other things, it means that you stand up for both our troops in the field and for ongoing care for our Veterans at home. �And at a time when we have tens of thousands of new disabled veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, that latter part is especially important.

This weekend has brought some disturbing news for veterans in the 29th District that directly relates to this issue. It appears that the Acute Psychiatric treatment ward at the Canandaigua VA Hospital, just down the road from Rochester, is slated for closure just after the election. (What interesting timing!) This hospital is already the only center of its kind in the area and, in recent years, has faced dramatic cuts in its other medical services. Now, with the impending loss of in-patient psychiatric treatment services, disabled veterans and their families will be forced to travel to as far away as Buffalo.

Defending Congressman Murtha: Why it matters
Aug 6 by Eric Massa

Massa for Congress

Most of you are probably aware of the opposing rallies this past week in Johnstown, PA. � A tiny group of swiftboaters hoping to publicly smear Representative Murtha was countered by a group 10 times bigger rallying in his favor. �(link, link) � I was there and I want to talk about why we have to stand strong against those attacking Murtha. �It's about a lot more than just showing that Democrats are not weak and spineless, though that can be important at times. �Sliming Congressman Murtha is central to coordinated GOP efforts to keep Democrats from retaking congress in November.

A Time to Pause
May 29 by Eric Massa

I've spent a lot of time blogging about policies and politics lately. �But today is different. � �Today is a day to reflect on the brave men and women who've died in service to our country. �Today I'd like to share some thoughts and images with you.

Eric Massa's Weekly Diary - The Sacrifice Of The Past And Our Vision Of The Future.
May 28 by Eric Massa

This weekend I was invited to join two other guest speakers as we dedicated a new Veterans Memorial Park in the small town of Odessa in Schuyler County, 30 minutes to the north of Watkins Glen in the Finger Lakes region of Western New York State. �The request came from the driving force behind the five year project to locate, fund and build this monument - the center piece of which of is a strikingly beautiful bronze statue of a mother eagle protecting two young. �

Dissent is Patriotic
March 19 by Eric Massa

First, I want to thank Andrew Horne (KY-03) for joining me today.

This last week while President Bush was visiting New York's 29th district, a marine corporal who served in Afghanistan, Iraq and Ethiopia approached a group of protesters and said (link):

I just wanted to say that a lot of the guys coming back think that you guys don't appreciate our service... Well, when I went into the service, I took an oath to honor the office of the president, and it's disrespectful to hear you be so negative about him. It feels like a personal attack.

News

On the five year anniversary of the war in Iraq, Massa demands change... Joins with fellow Congressional Candidates Dan Maffei (NY-25) and Jon Powers (NY-26) for press conference to demand more targeted funding for Veterans
March 18

CORNING, NY - On Wednesday, March 19th 2008 at 9:00 am, retired Navy Commander Eric Massa will join fellow Congressional Candidates Dan Maffei (NY-25) and Iraq Veteran Jon Powers (NY-26) for a press conference at the Rochester Veterans Outreach Center at 459 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620. During this press conference, all three candidates will observe the 5th anniversary of the invasion of Iraq. Additionally they will be calling on their opponents and the White House to provide more targeted funding for our Veterans.

Since the war in Iraq began on March 19th, 2003, 3,990 American troops have been killed, tens of thousands have been injured and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have died. While President Bush and Randy Kuhl continue to block health care for working Americans, deny us the truth of our economic situation, and create more hurdles for Veterans requiring services, they have no problem spending $3 trillion on a war of choice against a country that had no involvement in the 9/11 attacks.

"Those of us that wore the uniform honor our men and women who stood with us," said retired Navy Commander Eric Massa. "Today I call on Randy Kuhl to finally stand up to George W. Bush's failed foreign policy. Since he came into office, Mr. Kuhl has gone out of his way to rubber stamp President Bush's each and every demand for Iraq. We are currently spending almost $6,000 per second in Baghdad while thousands of children right here in Western New York cannot receive access to health care. Additionally, our returning Veterans continue to encounter more and more red tape while trying to receive the long-term care they have earned. This is the hypocrisy of incumbency and we must hold our failed leaders accountable."

WHAT: Congressional Candidates Eric Massa (NY-29), Dan Maffei (NY-25) and Jon Powers (NY-26) will be observing the five year anniversary of the start of the Iraq War and demanding change.
WHERE: The Rochester Veterans Outreach Center - 459 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 19th at 9:00 am.

Veterans Day
Nov 11

This weekend, in small towns and in our largest cities, in rural and in urban areas, Americans will be asked to step back and offer public recognition to the Veterans of America's Armed Services. It is fitting and just that we do so for without them there would be no America.

For better or for worse, over the last two years I have gained a public political persona during my bid to represent the 29th Congressional District in Washington. I want to take just a moment to discuss why I believe so many Veterans, especially those like myself who had never have been involved in politics before, are stepping forward to become involved in public policy at all levels of government. It's simple really, the Congress has fewer veterans now than at almost any other time in the history of the country. Veterans are under represented by a huge percentage. As a direct result, the benefits which all Veterans earned and deserve are being denied, compelling them to get involved. What's more, those in power who have never worn a uniform delight in standing in for photos with Veterans -- all the while attacking the service records of those who did and who disagree with them.

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