Rep. Filner, champion of veterans, coming to Fallbrook

“Any planned military surge must be accompanied by a surge for healthcare for veterans. We must be prepared to serve those who have served us – and we are not prepared at this time,” spoke Rep. Bob Filner of San Diego June 21 as he led a bitter fight against Republicans in the House. Filner, the liberal Democratic congressman from San Diego, is the bold champion for veterans and the new chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.

Filner will conduct a community forum in Fallbrook on July 5 at the Democratic Club meeting at FPUD at 7 p.m. The meeting, open to all, includes a Q-and-A session afterward.

Filner champions what his House Republican counterparts have refused to: healthcare and rehabilitation of our 56,000 wounded and disabled in the Bush War, although it is going to cost the nation hundreds of billions of dollars. In the long run, veterans’ care may cost as much as the war itself. Filner believes the nation absolutely has a moral obligation to fully fund care for our war-wounded.

A 2004 survey showed 1.8 million veterans had no health insurance and were not receiving VA care. An additional 3.8 million persons living with these veterans also lack health coverage. Filner said Washington has been shortchanging our vets for too many years.

Filner is being bitterly opposed by Rep. Steve Buyer (R., IN) the committee former chairman and other Republicans. Buyer suggested Democrats want VA healthcare open to all veterans as a ruse toward a national health program. Filner shot back that Buyer and Republican colleagues are all too willing to “support a surge when it comes to military action but cannot have a ‘surge,’ in your words, when it comes to treating our veterans.”

Few communities have as many veterans as Fallbrook. It is indeed a great opportunity to meet with this champion for veterans in our own town. The hour is guaranteed to be one you will always remember.

Joe Howard Crews