HE THINKS UNEMPLOYED AND UNEMPLOYABLE ARE THE SAME THING

My wife thinks the work I do with this web site is lots of fun...just waiting for politicians to say stupid things.  There's some truth to that...so, here we go again.

Senator Larry Craig (R-ID), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, just couldn't pass up the opportunity to get in his two cents worth after yesterday's Senate hearing on IU.  VA NEWS FLASH here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/newsflash/newsflash10-25-2005-3.htm and Senate pages on the hearing, including testimony here... http://veterans.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Hearings.CurrentHearings&rID=290 .

This afternoon, Craig's office issued a press release about the hearing and his proposals dealing with IU.  Notice that Craig confuses unemployed with unemployability.  Press release here... http://www.vawatchdog.org/senatecvanews/senatecvanews10-28-05.htm

The title of the press release refers to "unemployed" veterans...but the graph he uses represents claims awarded to "unemployable" veterans.  Right off the bat we know Craig's off-base.

For Senator Craig's sake, here is the difference (I apologize to all the veterans who read this because I know that you know the difference).

UNEMPLOYED = NOT WORKING

UNEMPLOYABLE = CAN'T WORK

Now that Senator Craig has been clued-in, let's look at what he's trying to do.

Veterans getting IU benefits have been declared unemployable because they CAN'T work.  Those veterans just didn't say, "Hey, I haven't worked in three years....so......"  Competent medical authority verified their unemployability and that information was accepted by the VA.

Now, Craig wants IU veterans employed.  Craig said, "...the presumption must be that every individual with disabilities can overcome barriers to employment."  Really?  Then why does the VA offer IU compensation?

Craig also said, "The IU benefit should be viewed as the benefit of last resort."  It already is.  If a veteran can't work...they get the benefit after the VA determines the validity of the claim.

This, folks, is about MONEY.  Just like the review of PTSD awards...this is about lots and lots of money. 

Also from Craig:  "I reject the notion, put forth by some at the hearing, that veterans with disabilities can’t work, that we shouldn’t waste resources even making the effort to try, and that looking for work is somehow demeaning. We should provide people with every opportunity for financial growth."

I challenge anyone to find testimony made during hearing that backs up Craig's above statement.  It didn't happen.

Craig's agenda is to cut IU benefits...plain and simple. 

Craig wants all you 50- and 60-something Vietnam era veterans who are collecting IU to get off your butts...go find a good paying job that isn't taken by a younger person...and make sure the employer gives you plenty of time off for VA healthcare visits and doesn't mind that you're medicated.  (Maybe a greeter at Wal-Mart?)

This is absurd...but, this is what veterans have to look forward to from this administration and a Congress that views VA benefits as just another expense.

Larry Scott

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