Personal Message to DUers and all Americans

I marvel at how we ignore some of the most important topics, how we allow people to fall into horrible situations and yet we can only focus on things we can do little about. I have begged people to pay attention to the plight of veterans and yet I feel my efforts are wasted and ignored by too many. I wonder if we realize how this issue not only speaks to the sickness of our nation, but also shows how we have lost too much of our soul. I will break it down to a personal level and give you my reaction even though I know some will have some remark to bolster this sickness probably.

I have lost almost all use of my right arm and shoulder which seems to be a combination of at least one pinched nerve in my neck as well as degenerative joint disease in several of the joints in that area. I called the VA on July 26 and an appointment was made for Sept. 27th, which now has been changed, first to Oct. 16, then to Nov. 23 for my FIRST contact with a doctor. I went to the emergency room at the VA in Phoenix and they gave me one month's medicine and when I talked to them they told me that because I hadn't been assigned a primary care provider that nobody could act on my need to more pain management or even to see a social worker. Therefore, my Oct. 16 appointment was changed to Nov. 23 so one could be assigned and an appointment to a social worker and pain management could be made, and tomorrow I actually get to see a social worker. The reason for this is due to all the budget cuts the VA has undergone in the past several years which is from the Bush admin., and while there is some increases under Obama the cuts were so deep it will take a long time to get things back to a decent level. Meanwhile veterans just have to suffer from the broken promises as the people ignore for the most part our plights.

I hear and read those who say don't try to scare me about republicans getting back into control, well to those I say don't kill us just to try and show how they don't scare you. I have been through too much from the Vietnam draft to Katrina, to my current problems to have much sympathy for those folks. I know fear and have dealt with it and to see people say they aren't afraid of the Republican's getting back in power, I have to wonder if they know how dangerous their thoughts are. I saw what they did to us in Katrina, to the VA, to our nation and if those facts alone don't tell you that the Republicans will kill what progress we have made since Bush left office are enough to be afraid of then I would like to leave you a personal message. If they get back in power, I probably will become one of their murders and I have to say to you my blood will be on your hands.

and I`m so very sorry for what you`re going through.Please try to hang in there.

There are people out here doing everything possible to elevate veterans` issues and to see vets get every single bit of support they deserve.

~PEACE~

:pals:

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/w8liftinglady/62

Believe it or not,we remain at war.You might have forgotten.It's not mentioned anymore.3911 troops have been killed in Iraq,754 killed in Afghanistan.28,661 have been wounded in Iraq,7154 in Afghanistan.

Our nation has shown a pathetic disregard for its care of our veterans of war.Here are a few tidbits for you to consider:
-Since the end of the Viet Nam War,100,000 Viet Nam veterans have committed suicide.
-According to numbers recently released by the VA,approx. 245,000 OIF/OEF troops will suffer from PTSD.
-Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom,Twenty-two thousand soldiers have been discharged with a Section 8(dishonorable)discharge,describing "Personality Disorders" as the reason for discharge.This is a loosely veiled way to avoid paying disability to these veterans with PTSD.
-There were 378,000 disability claims pending in the VA in FY 2006,84 thousand of which had been waiting greater than six months.
-1.8 million veterans lack health insurance(86% of which are employed)
-Nearly 400,000 veterans are homeless.
-Of the 700,000 veterans who served in the Persian Gulf War,150-200 thousand are sick.Depleted uranium,Sarin gas,and controversial vaccines have left these brave troops with severe neurological disorders,immune system disorders,and cancer.Our government has largely refuted any existance of "Gulf War Syndrome".

I could go on and on.My son and father,uncles and cousins use the VA system for healthcare.They have all served at least once in battle(my son-three times).

According to the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America,Our Texas Representatives perform poorly when it comes to "Supporting Our Troops".Senator Hutchison is rated a "D" based on her voting record,Senator Cornyn is rated a "D-",and Congressman Barton is Rated a "C".These are the same individuals who want the common man to keep sending their sons and daughters to a war judged by profit,with no end in sight.

We have elections coming up soon in Ellis County.I strongly encourage everyone in Ellis County to do some research on voting records for all our candidates.A photo-op with an amputee does not indicate support.Our veterans deserve sincere support from the government and people they so bravely defended

to help people like Sarge who needs pain management. Shaming these people may be our only real alternative.

Just refuse to vote for anyone who is pro-war.
That's all we need to do.

That's the reasonable and realistic thing to do if one truly cares for these young men and woman.
Yes, that makes you a single-issue voter - but saving 5 to ten THOUSAND people a year from dying or being maimed so Haliburton gets a bigger profits makes it worth it.

If your politician supports this war - simply call him up and inform him that you're not voting for him because of it.

If every "liberal" on DU actually did that a LOT less people would be dead, dying or maimed.

The Taliban is not a threat to America's security. Haliburton, Blackwater and GE are the real threats to America - THEY are the ones killing and maiming more citizen-soldiers each and every year than the 9-11 disaster.

And they've been doing it for nearly 10 years now.

Oklahoma Kansas, Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, Utah....well you get my drift. We have no control over their runaway fantasys of getting rich off the rest of us.
First they came for the Veterens............
Then they came for the elderly...........
then they came for the children...................( not necessarily in that order. & you know the rest.)

I think we have reached the tipping point.
I was told by Sen. Enzi's aid today..that they couldn't help me because I don't live in Wyoming!
Well, hello................he is SR. in the committee that decides what MY SS income will be! ANd what my health insurance is about!

as in, our elections are window dressing for the ongoing crime wave.

Crap doesn't taste any better when being fed to us by our own side.

The point isn't about my situation as much as it is why those who say they won't vote or won't let the Democrats fear them into voting for Democrats and letting the Republicans regain Congress to teach the Democrats a lesson. Fact is they aren't teaching the Democrats a lesson, they are actually help continue the inhumanity to our veterans, the poor and middle class, the senior citizens. The message they send to people like me is they are no different than the Repukes because they are willing to make sure we continue to lose our chances of survive. To me (they might not like this but it is how I feel and all their defense of it are not going to change it) they are as dangerous as the Repukes.

Remember that when you are telling people how much worse it could be.

we are all in this together that eludes the left? Why is it that we can't seem to get that into our heads? Sometimes the greater good must be addressed so that more can be done later. I don't think you can lay all of this at the feet of this administration. Take a look at Boehner and see Bush staring back at you through those dead soulless eyes. Why cause more suffering when we can all push forward together. Sarge is absolutely right on. Sitting at home is a de facto vote for the right wing and radical ultraconservative power.

then go on to say that we poor folk should sacrifice ourselves for YOUR good.

Fuck that shit.

When YOU start caring about the cuts to Food stamps that happened during this administration, (blaming that on Boner is oh, so charming!) and the purge of people on disability, and other cuts, and are on our side for those cuts, then get back to me.

Until then, don't you DARe preach to me about what YOU want.

YOU are the ones who made it all about YOU.

We're not even lower middle class. And I daresay we are probably not much different than you. I'm happy to work with you and anyone else toward better solutions to all of our grievances. You are not the only one suffering out in this vast muck. Anger and self-pity only take you so far then you have to do something. I'm not certain who the "YOUR" is for you,. but I'm pretty certain you will find that I'm not among that group. We only harm ourselves by putting the Rs back in power. If the pain is so great now, it will be excruciating should that happen. I will work to prevent that from happening, for you and for me and mine.

If you're so damned poor, then why aren't YOU speaking against these cuts?

Oh?

They don't affect you?

Geee, what a surprise......:eyes:

you go back and reread what I said. Actually, I said nothing specifically about the cuts themselves. I did address the current propensity for people rejecting working together toward resolving issues and lashing out at others when the common interest would be best served by a little cooperation. That is all I said.

You just want to demand that we vote the way YOU want, for YOUR needs, and screw us.

When it comes to poverty, there IS no "common interest", because the rest of you don't give a flying fuck.

Your "common interest" is about YOU....the rest of us can take a flying leap.

So, go ahead.... snark some more. I'm sure it will endear you to *more* poor folk.

You are not alone though. Lots of people have financial, health, and any other kind of problem you could possibly identify. I don't understand why you have chosen to assign "snark" to my original comment because it was in no way intended as anything other than an observation. Hopefully your life will take a better turn, with or without others.

give energy to.

As it is, the administration can get away with all the cuts, because there is no outrage.

So, don't count on our votes... we can't care about you if you can't care about us.

Simple as that.

shouldn't throw the baby out with the bathwater, meaning that one doesn’t need to reject an entire idea, concept or practice if only part of it is good.

fucking disgrace. Man, if good wishes and vibes were a solution to your problems - you'd be taken care of by now.

This makes me so sick. Those who wave the flag and send our guys off to fight wars and then abandon them when they come home should be shot. They ARE Traitors!

All the bullshit talk about leave no man behind. Doesn't matter if he's left behind on foreign soil or he's abandoned and left behind on his own Good 'Ol USA soil. He's still being left behind!! :mad:

I'm sure Sarah Palin is praying for our veterans.

about our troops I want to rip her head off.

I noticed at least one person (I use the word person loosely) has unrec'd but failed to post because they are too chicken to have their thoughts challenged. I sure hate people who are this cowardly and spineless to just click on a button but afraid to post. You folks that do this are indeed part of the problem.

they love to do that to my lttes,too.

explanation, and then disappears from their own post?

Shocking!

Nobody but a craven coward would do such a thing...
:eyes:

I recced this post in spite of the author.

but in no way can I see any meaning because when someone DOES NOT post only unrec then they aren't making anything to respond to.

so you'll just have to think about it.

you have no idea what you mean. I remember you from another thread and once more I find you hard to have a discussion on meaning with you. I will just consider it more of you baseless ramblings.

because I don't have the internet at my place and I am going home shortly to be able to go to the VA, but I will be back online after the first if all goes as planned. At that time I would welcome you to PM me and we can have as much a discussion as you are willing to having, if it is a meaningful discussion.

I've been through the neck pain route and eventually had 3-level cervical fusion. Now I'm going through the lower lumbar problems (4 level, with disc degeneration and stenosis) since early this summer. Was having great success with PT but last week it began all over again, so now back on heavy meds and bed rest. Don't let those bastards get you down.

when the Continental Army spent a wonderful and exciting winter at Valley Forge. The Continental Congress refused to send the troops: food, shoes/boots, clothing to withstand the cold, medicines,doctors, weapons, ammunition, and/or any kind of support.

Following that war, vets of all wars have been treated the same.

Situation got worse from the Spanish/American war to the present--that is one hell of a lot of vets.

George Washington correctly pointed out that veterans were the best recruiting tool for getting the army for our defense. However, we just continue to let the ones who want to have their greed cut away the veteran's benefits, and break promises made. We not only do that with our veterans but all those who need a helping hand. Sadly too many of our side bellyache over the Democrats and Obama haven't done enough so they just decided to teach the Democrats and Obama a lesson by letting the ones who put us in this mess get more power. Then when you bring this FACT up they say you are trying to scare them. Well they are the ones that scare me.

to Vets - but I sure recommend your post for the attention you bring to Veteran's issues. We have a tight governor's race in TX and I will most likely be voting. I'm not convinced that we will see incredible improvement under Dems (as a labor supporter I feel that I have no pony in the race so to speak ...), but voting takes very little time and I don't mind doing it.

More important is to support veterans every day, to support housing for homeless, to call for JOBS, to fight for healthcare. Not just on voting day, but every day.

I became a veteran under Reagan and watched as he and his brought down the VA. I remember Clinton do more to bring the VA up and then Bush the moron ruin that progress. Now I see Obama doing some things that are slowing improving the VA again but the damage was so great it will take a long time to even get it back to where Clinton had it.

And I agree with you that there is no question that the VA does better under Democratic admins than Republican Admins. There is no doubt.

But I also do not want to be a single issue voter. There is so much more at stake here - The Patriot Act, the 100K servicepeople still in harm's way, the unconstitutional rendition of American citizens, the transfer of wealth from the poor and middle class to the rich ... and so much more.

This November I want my vote to send a meaningful message and I have three choices.

I can vote Democratic.
I can vote Republican
I can not vote at all.

We all will have to make one of those choices and live with the consequences of the message that we send.

Little Boot's actually cut veterans services and privatized some of it (just like in the military). VA services have an increased budget, I believe, by about three billion dollars under the democratic administration.

Now, the new meme of the teabaggers, like Angle and other repugs, is that VA services should be privatized, even though most vets are happy with their services. They want to privatize VA services, privatize SS, so their greedy friends can make even more profit off of us and give us even more crappy services (cause ya know they just have to make a buck). Some things should not be privatized, corporations do not do it better and it's funneling public money, our money, into for profit greedy corporations. Just like the for profit prisons in AZ-two escapes both were in the for profit prisons, not a public facility.

My daughter got out of the military in January of this year for disability (same as you, neck/back surgery and deteriorating discs), and she was just informed that her benefit package had finally been signed off. It took a while, but I have more faith in the current public VA than privatizing it.

which in turn created pressure to end the war in Vietnam.

Today we've come to rely so much on surreptitious for profit mercenaries, the public doesn't feel the pain.

How many "contractors" aka; mercenaries have died in Iraq and Afghanistan?

This is great for politicians allowing them to wage war without pissing off too much of the public as much of it is done under the radar, but this dynamic will increasingly bleed the publics' military dry in both financial resources and human power.

This isn't just happening to the military, it's happening to the correctional/prison institutions as well.

As some of the posters upthread pointed out, the Veterans Administration has been shortchanged for a long time, but I see the for profit mercenaries as creating a growing major adverse affect against the budget dedicated to taking care of our nation's veterans.

I hope things work out well for you soon.

Thanks for the thread, Sarge.

Hang in there, Sarge. Thanks for bringing attention to this.

:patriot:

When I needed chemo and my new public insurance plan told me to take a hike 3 years ago - the VA came through and cured me. Would possibly not be alive today if the VA hadn't been there for me - if I hadn't have Served.

I am a Veteran and although I respect your opinion and your right to state it I will not be scared into voting a certain way. Your blood, Sir, is always in your own hands. I have no influence over that.

What I do have influence though is over my vote - perhaps the only power America these days still allows me. I can use that vote any which way that I like - or withhold it from those who don't deserve it . That is one of the few Constitutional protections I still have .

I voted two years ago, as a Veteran , to get our young Servicemen and Servicewoman out of an ill conceived war based on a lie. See today's DU front page for confirmations of that which we already knew. What I now see is 100,000 men and woman still in that war and over five thousand of them being killed or injured in it each year.

Their blood, Sir, is in my hands. It is in my vote. I voted two years ago based on a promise that those men and woman (or at least the bulk of them) would be returning home.

I voted based on that promise.
This November I shall have much thinking to do .
I do know that I do not want to be a continued willing participant in their continued death and injury, that much I do know.

I do not want to see the republicans back in power, but neither do I wish to see their failed policies continued by the opposition party.

Change I can believe in means just that: change I can believe in.

It wasn't Hillary. Was it Dennis Kucinich?

Just wondering.

It's as bogus then as it is now.
Obama promised to bring our troops back home. He gave (several) timetables on that matter.
He was outspoken against the war as a Senator and during his campaign.

I am not going to engage you in this totally bogus argument. Experience has shown me that people who use your bogus argument are either too cognitively dissonant or too disingenuous to be worth the time to discuss this with.

Here is the bottom line: The Obama Administration has continued, and in fact strengthened on one front, this ill conceived war we ALL agree was based on a lie. The Obama administration is exactly like the Bush administration in the matter of being responsible for the killing and maiming of five to ten thousand American soldiers each and every year. No difference.

Wake up.

I didn't vote for this. Spin it all you like and the more you do than the more that YOU have the blood of those soldiers on your hands as well.

I served in the military for seven years. I KNOW what it's like and I KNOW what I am talking about.

that is your problem. Don't blame the candidates, if you didn't pay attention to what they were saying.

He has brought home the combat troops in Iraq, as he promised. By the date he promised.

Neither Obama nor Hillary Clinton campaigned on ending the war in Afghanistan, except to fulfill the mission as quickly as possible. They both believed in that war, as the home of AQ, who killed the Americans. That was the war that should have been fought, O said. Not Iraq.

The Taliban is not even in Afghanistan.
Why do some people support so ardently the very same people who are oppressing them so badly?
It's hardly a phenomenon restricted to the teabagger contingent.

VA hospitals were closed. It was all over the news. Maybe you are lucky in that where you live, the budget cuts didn't affect that much.

But to totally ignore the factual statements of the OP is to be somewhat narcissistic, don't you think? I mean, it's not only you who matters, is it? It's all veterans. Right?

The OP wasn't just describing his personal experiences (which is a valid point), but was also stating facts about VA medical budget cuts. That's been somewhat corrected by the Democrats lately. If Repubs are back in power, there's no reason to think they wouldn't cut the budget back to where Bush cut it, again.

Those are the facts.

:patriot:

thoracic outlet disorder with complications. Take it easy and get plenty of rest.

:hug: I send you best wishes and positive vibes during this trying time. Keep up the good fight and always know that there are people who care. :)

You are never alone.

I have a very similar condition. I hope you can find relief.

Exercise great care with your pain medication. We have a family member that recently fell prey to narcotic addiction. This addiction has been one of the very worst experiences of his/our lives.

The fucking Republicans were talking about privatizing some of the VA healthcare program just 2 years ago.
Rachel Maddow, bless her pea-picking heart, did a long segment on this last night on her program.

closed in the last 30 years!!!!

And then people wonder why the Army's slogan "Be all you can be, join the Army" didn't work!!

Fuck, they started closing the VA down as a system for veterans in the early 80s, and they reclassified sick veterans as "whiners" and now they send them to "a doc in a box" instead of a hospital!!!

Veterans in need of care in Idaho for some specific operations, have to go to Portland now.
Or clear to Salt Lake City.
The don't do some of those procedures here in Boise anymore.

"Sorry folks, we're closed for 2 weeks to clean and repair America's favorite family fun park. Sorry. Yuk, yuk, yuk."


They wanted to close the VA Hospital here in Boise, but they could only get half of it shut down.
Which they sold to the state!!
Which sold those buildings to the city.
At the time, it was at the height of the Iraq War!!!

In-fucking-credible!!

and they sincerely thank you for your service.

:sarcasm:

What more do you want from them? You're useless to them now.

Not only am I a Vet,too, but I'm a retired Navy Nurse, and have lots of experience in getting through the system. One thing for sure, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. This is especially true with the VA and military. They hate bad press!

Have you talked to the patient care rep at the Va? If not, please check into it. If you have and this is the end result, then I'd strongly urge you to contact your elected reps and your local news organizations. I'd even consider sending your story to Big Ed, Keith, and Rachel, if nothing else works.

I realize the VA is understaffed, underfunded, and overworked, but suffering in silence only enables the dysfunction in the system to continue. What's happening to you and other vets is totally unacceptable.

While I'm eligible for care at the VA (70% service connected,non-combat disability), I chose to use TRICARE Standard and get an outside provider for the routine stuff. I guess if I needed a more expensive level of care, I'd be forced back into the system, but until then, I'll stay with my civilian Dr.

Lest there be some misunderstanding, let me be clear. I got excellent care in the VA system. I had a torn rotator cuff and frozen shoulder, and they were able to treat me effectively without the need for surgery.

My problem was with access to the system, long waits, and a long commute from my home to the hospital. When the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan cranked up, I decided the situation would only get worse, so I chose to get care on the outside.

I hope you get your problems taken care soon, but please consider contacting your congress critters if you haven't already done so. I realize you're living in Red State Hell, but even more reason to let them know about your situation.

:patriot:

Bernie Sanders is the fiercest advocate for vets that I know. He recently got a new clinic built in Brattleboro which will make life easier for many, many veterans. I know he'd be responsive to you. (My initial post was to contact your Congressmen and Senators, then I looked to see where you live. My condolences on that.)

Also probably difficult for a low income person to move their things across the entire country.

for the necessary pep talk... you are correct in what you say and we need to heed your words... :patriot:

I can't get any help from them because my wife works and gets paid about half as much as a man would make if he had her job. I did my time and I heard all the promises but those promises were all lies it turns out. We go to jail if we lie to the government, but the government lies to us and we are expected to just forget about it and die and go to hell.

The US government was about as honest to we veterans as they were to the Native Americans who's land they systematically stole for 100 years.

if you have an honorable discharge.
Even if your are making around 35K a year you STILL get VA care but you gave to pay a deductible (ranges from 25 to 40 a visit) which is still darn good

If your wife making over 40K a year? If not than I am at a loss to understand why you say you cannot get VA care. Can you elaborate a bit.

I'm left out. I got "Under Honorable Conditions" but I served in war. I'm also not good enough for Veterans of Foreign Wars even though that is exactly what I am.

The definition of a general discharge is as follows:

"General (Under Honorable Conditions). If a member's service has been honest and faithful, it is appropriate to characterize that service under honorable conditions. Characterization of service as General (under honorable conditions) is warranted when significant negative aspects of the member's conduct or performance of duty outweigh positive aspects of the member's military conduct or performance of duty outweigh positive aspects of the record. A General (under honorable conditions) characterization of discharge may jeopardize a member's ability to benefit from the Montgomery G.I. Bill if they, in fact, had contributed. Moreover, the member will not normally be allowed to reenlist or enter a different military service."

Which means you did something during your service that caused them to discharge you before your commitment ended - sometimes this occurs in the first 2 weeks of basic training. Sometimes after 2 years if the service member does something that would cause him to be kicked out of the service.

In cases like that you are not eligible for benefits because you did not complete your commitment.

I said I got one. Anyways the definition doesn't exactly fit my characterization of service as far negatives outweigh positives. I didn't get in trouble once for 2 and a half years, no article 15's company or field grade (while others got several) but the one time I did do something wrong I get chaptered. It was a case of me being the first one to get in trouble under a new commander so I was made an example of.

Or thought that because it's not complained about, or not in the news, maybe the cuts weren't that bad, or maybe they didn't happen at all (I was misremembering?).

But no, they happened. Hospitals were closed. People who didn't have someone to drive them to a VA hospital miles away lost their care entirely.

You are right to remind us of this.

I hope you get the care you need as soon as possible.

...including getting a primary care physician assigned to you, as soon as you were eligible for VA benefits.

This is not to criticize you, just asking for information that others might find interesting or useful.

(One of my best friends delayed getting into the VA health care system for almost 20 years after he got out of the Navy. He neglected himself, now he has some major problems as a result.)

That's just a guess based on some things he said in his original post.
At any rate the Phoenix VA is one that does not have a good rep (nor does the Las Vegas or Los Angeles area VA).

If he moved to Reno, Nv - the VA here is outstanding and he would receive faster and better care.

I know these sons-of-b---hes have pissed you off to the utmost by playing games with your health,life, and welfare.But you are doing the right thing by letting the average person know what you are going through.There will be someone who reads this and will be of the same mind. Who hadn't given it any thought about their Veteran's rights and benefits. Think about all the soldiers who have returned in need. Remember to stay connected with other vets and remind them what it was like and how we are correcting some problems now so that we can help those vets who are with us now and the future vets coming from these two ginned up unpaid for wars.:patriot: :patriot: :patriot: Thanks for your service to our country.

are fighting for Veteran's benefits. And with Beau having been sent to Iraq...even tho he probably had a cushy job...it's personal to them.
You can find his contact info at Whitehouse.gov

Hope I get to meet you one of these days.

Thank you for your service to our country and I am so sorry how you are being forced to suffer. I stand with you!

Bush/Cheney didn't protect us concerning the disasters on 911...

and a :hug: for you, Sarge, hang in there.

The Dems disappoint me A LOT, but the alternative is so much worse - especially here in AZ.

Hang in there! :pals:

The Dems are like your kids, yes they disappoint sometimes, but you wouldn't trade them for anything. If we don't all vote for the Dems in our areas, and the rethugs get back the house, we will be in for a shit load of trouble.

I went to my apartment on Thursday afternoon only to find my apartment had been flooded. The apartment on the 3rd floor had their air conditioning leak for days, they didn't report it to management and so several apartments as well as mine was flooded. I reported the problem which means at least 3 days this problem went on without being reported, and my carpet was like a small lake. The management reacted quickly but the smell of the chemicals to treat the problem was so bad I got a sick headache. I went to my VA appointment and finally got a social worker assigned to me who gave me some options to help me with the income problems and the pain management she felt should be put off since there has been a little improvement in my arm in the last few days and my range of motion has shown a slight increase. I came back here to a friend's place because of the condition of my apartment and since I did live in the Katrina crap for over a year and half the thought of possible mold and milldew has me a little concerned about going back there. I am considering breaking the lease and getting the Housing Authority here to back me due to the problem I just had.

Just make sure that you secure your next apartment before you break your lease.
What can they do? Sue you? Can't get blood out of a stone Sarge - you probably are judgment proof.

Before you break the lease write them a letter about the chemical small - back it up with witnesses who would testify for you and/or try to go to a legal aid (best advise is to go to legal aid btw).
Tell them you intend to sue if they put you on the national list for people who broke leases, etc - frankly in this economy most people don't give a damn about that list .


Phoenix has a rep for having a VA - I can tell you from experience that Reno has a wonderful VA. Also it is cheaper to live and rent here then it is in Phoenix - fyi.

Anger? Yes. Opposition? Yes. Fear? Not a chance.

If I were going to indulge in fear, I wouldn't label the source "Republicans." I'd label the sources of potential fear thus:

neoliberals, neoconservatives, robber barons, organized religion, the MIC, the mega-corporations, the capitalists, the war-mongers, the corrupt.

I don't choose to indulge in fear, though, so my response to those sources of harm above is one of anger and opposition, regardless of what group, clan, gang, party, or denomination they belong to.

They are already "in power." The shift between political parties doesn't bother them. They thrive regardless of what party is in the WH. If you don't like it, then don't vote them, and their enablers, into office. On either side of the aisle.

I am very sorry to hear of the health issues you are facing. I'm glad you have the VA to turn to for help. It's not okay that they are not fully funded and helping veterans who need that help NOW.

I have health issues myself. I'm going without care because, while I have insurance that I pay more than I can afford for, I can't afford actual CARE. The premiums are already draining my resources to the last drop. There's nothing else left for deductibles. It's too bad ONE of those two parties didn't reject for-profit health insurance in favor of national health care; then both of us would be receiving care.

I'm not afraid. And your blood is not on my hands. I didn't, and won't be, voting to put any of the above in power, regardless of what political party they work for.