Our Legislature, leaders disregard vets
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No Comments [ Add Comment ]By John L. Ulibarri
Guest commentary
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uring the 2007 session of the state Legislature, I followed lawmakers' actions with interest. While I do believe some members view their legislative responsibilities as serving the public good, there are those who go to the Legislature to gain power and to serve their own interests.
A case in point is legislative leadership's disregard for Utah veterans. I despaired at the decision by the Legislature to not fund a new veterans' nursing home in Utah. The rationale was that the federal government has not provided matching funds. Sadly, that excuse seems to be accepted by a large number of Utah citizens. If I am not mistaken, the U.S. Congress has never provided federal matching funds if there is nothing to match, especially when there is no commitment on the part of the receiving state. In spite of the huge budget surplus this past year, the Legislature somehow could not find money in support of a veterans' home.
Providing legislation for bonding after federal funds are delivered is a public relations tactic, not a commitment. This is from a Legislature that verbally prides itself in supporting American troops. They cheer, wave the flag, pound their chests, pat themselves on the back and give advice to disabled veterans, making a great public display of their support for armed service personnel, and then do nothing.
They did provide legislation to fund a well-to-do man's soccer stadium when that person threatened to take the franchise to St. Louis. The legislative leadership stated that it was not really tax money. I wonder just how naive the Legislature believes the citizens of Utah are. Do not misunderstand me, I like soccer; I merely question providing public money because of a threat.
In Utah, funding for a veterans' nursing home is not a new issue. If memory serves me correctly, the 1977-78 Legislature passed a bill designating the old St. Benedict's Hospital in Ogden as the site of a Utah veterans' home. Sadly, time eroded that idea, as subsequent legislatures never provided funding to make that concept a reality. At the present time, Utah has only one VA hospital, in Salt Lake City, with 70 beds for 200,000 veterans living in this state.
Subsequent letters to the editor over the past few weeks favor providing a veterans' nursing home in Ogden. However, it appears that those in power don't seem to care what Utah citizens ask for. Veterans from Utah and across the country gave, and continue to give, parts of their lives with no guarantees that they will not be placed in harm's way. Several other states, such as Ohio, Minnesota and West Virginia, for example, provide veterans' homes for their citizens who did more than talk patriotism by actively serving their country.
After pondering the veterans' nursing home issue, I question why the Legislature and its leadership disregard veterans. My question is: Of the 29 state senators, 75 representatives and the governor, how many are veterans? The sad fact may be that the majority are not veterans, and consequently have no interest in providing for veterans. I will gladly admit to being wrong if this observation is incorrect, and a majority are veterans. I doubt the answer to this question will be forthcoming from the legislative offices, probably under the disguise that it is a privacy issue and therefore not available to the public.
Recognizing there is no draft today, there is no need for individuals with influence and financial means to apply for exemptions. The armed conflict in Afghanistan and Iraq is being fought with volunteers. Thus, the burden of the present war not only falls on the shoulders of young volunteers, but also on older Americans in the armed services reserves. These conflicts are also fought with a smaller contingency, requiring individuals to serve multiple and extended tours.
Sadly, war inflicts more than physical wounds on military personnel. Who is going to take care of these men and women when they return home to Utah?
God has given me a good life that continues to treat me well. Consequently, I probably will not need assistance for veterans' care as many other Utahns now need health care. Within my own mind I have reconciled that if I ever need help, it will not be forthcoming from the state of Utah, and sadly also not in the lifetime of many Utah veterans now needing care.
I recognize that representative movement is never perfect and that is why power brokers in the Legislature who have never served their country still reap the benefits of living in a free society without ever having sacrificed their time, lives and money, or provided for those who have.
Ulibarri is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and a former member of the Utah House of Representatives (1977-78). He lives in South Ogden.
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