The coming retirement of everybody’s favorite congressman this year has caused so many to suddenly come out of the woodwork seeking his seat. What scares me is allowing yet another useless bottom-feeder at the trough at the expense of Americans, Alabamians and, more than anything, the poor local folk who will no doubt face yet another four years of Washingtonian criminality, insanity and malfeasance.

With all these new faces showing up and all the TV ads making the usual pre-election promises, none of the candidates has addressed the No. 1 problem facing our nation. And with the close proximity of Fort Rucker and other military installations, there is no doubt many in our communities that want to know what the candidates plan to do for our veterans. We have about 140,000 men and women in Iraq and another 50,000 or so in Afghanistan.

Assuming that one of our presidential candidates might keep the promise to bring them home, what is America and Alabama going to do with the hurting and damaged honorable generation of warriors? Will Congress do as it has in the past and ignore them? Will our communities sweep them under the rug again, or will there be an outpouring of love and true thanks for their sacrifices?

Not only is it important to address what to do about this generation’s warriors, but what about the old vets who are still fighting the system? What about all of our local candidates for Terry Everett’s seat? None has addressed this problem yet, and I am sure that I’m not the only one wondering about their plans for health care for returning veterans, appropriate compensation for wounds, illnesses, injuries and lifelong disabilities.

What about jobs, housing, education and help in all facets of reclaiming their lives? With the election just a few short months away, I think all of them need to speak out and let the veteran community know what they have to say, concerning this very important issue — if they want our votes. The time for answers is now.

Steve Mungie
Kinsey