Cash for Clunkers! Cash for Veterans!

When its war time, this country has so much respect and love for the troops. But, after the war ends and the troop returns as a disabled veteran, somehow the love isn't as strong.

There are thousands of veterans suffering physical and psychological injuries sustained during a war. Many have filed disability claims with the VA and have yet to be paid a dime. In many cases, the wait has extended into years. Some veterans have even died awaiting benefits. Why does it have to be like this? Why would a nation, who claims to hold its troops in such high honor and esteem, allow its veteran to suffer so indignantly?

True, there is another Administration in the White House, and there have been some improvement in claims processing. Still, there remains a long line of veterans who have been waiting and waiting and waiting. Its time for a change, and that change must happen right now!

The one thing that the Government has demonstrated since this economic disaster began is the ability to response swiftly. It took the Congress and the White House about a week to pass emergency legislation to extend the "cash for clunkers" program. Now its time for the same Congress and White House to extend immediate help to its disabled veteran. The legislation should include the following:

"On or before September 11, 2009, a 'Cash for Veterans' emergency disability payment shall be enacted. All veterans who have filed disability claims, and have been approved, and who have been waiting no less than 12 months for payment, shall be entitled to receive an expedited lump-sum payment. In accordance with the Act, the veteran shall present his VA identification card, along with proper photo ID, and a certified VA/DOD awards document (i.e., letter) to any full service bank. The full service bank shall examine and accept these documents as proof of the veteran's award status; and thus issue the veteran a stipend equal to the lump-sum award amount shown in the certified VA/DOD awards letter. The full service bank shall bill the treasury for reimbursement of said stipends."

This is how our veterans can be honored. This is the right thing to do. Just do it and do it now!