[RobH]

phuloi, it isn't so much that I "discount" most or all of the Veterans organizations.... I generally tend to rule them out.

Some have done some good, and others haven't, but I fear that most or all of them are fully vested in their own agendas....or the agendas of their national officers and they like many politicians have lost sight of the needs and desires of the legions of Veterans whose dues pay their salaries.
Many have been charmed or seduced by politicians and photo ops......again losing sight of their duties and obligations.

They have not "marshalled" the Veterans into a voting bloc and exercised that power....and in fact it is considered by many that since most of these organizations are "congressionally chartered"... they have purposely not functioned as they should have.... "in the best interest of Veterans".

Veterans are SPECIAL....we all know that!! We have been the defenders of our freedoms and values. We have answered the call of our nation even when it was unpopular, and we have suffered at the hands of our own people because of it. Given that we have served with Honor and Dignity, why is it that we can't hold our heads up and demand our due from our elected officials and clearly state to them that they are responsible to us....not just special interest groups?

We as Veterans need to throw away our separate ideologies to make a statement and remove the professional trough feeders in elected positions and maybe elect more of our own. But we of all people in this nation owe to ourselves and our nation to elect the best people to represent the people....ALL of the people, not just a few.