Guest Blog: Open Letter to Bill McCamley & Harry Teague

This is a guest blog by Col. Donald E. Jonker, USAF Ret., of Las Cruces in the form of an open letter to Bill McCamley and Harry Teague, Democratic candidates for Congress in NM-02.

The President is going to ask the Legislature to approve these additions for fiscal year 2009. An additional $1.3 billion to meet health care needs for the 350,000 military men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. $3.9 billion for mental health services and $1.5 billion for prosthetic and sensory aids. This does not include the fact that some men and women will be in pain the rest of their lives. I believe all New Mexicans are interested in these tragic numbers and those of us in Democratic District Two have a right to know where our candidates stand on these issues.

Open Letter to Bill McCamley & Harry Teague
Most of us New Mexicans believe that the economy, the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and health care are the three biggest areas of concern in the next election. Since I am not an expert on the economy or health care, I will stick to the wars. Almost all of the active duty, National Guard, Reserve, veterans and widows are deeply concerned about many aspects of the wars; however, I would like to concentrate on three areas: 1) Should we or should we not withdraw from the wars, and if so, when? 2) What health benefits should our military receive? And, 3) How should the VA be funded to ensure our brave young men and women returning from the wars after three, four and even five combat tours be treated for life long injuries?

If the wars go on, the cost of benefits could reach as high as $75 to $150 billion. During the wars, despite improved equipment, for every person killed there are 16 wounded and injured, an unprecedented number. (In Vietnam the ratio was 2.6 for every death and in Korea it was 2.8 for every death.) For 2009, the President has asked for $1.3 billion for health care needs, $3.9 billion for mental health services, and $1.5 billion for prosthetic and sensory aids. That's only $6.7 billion -- nowhere near what is necessary.

On behalf of all military and veterans, I would like to challenge both Mr. McCamley and Mr. Teague to debate these issues and these issues only. I believe these concerns are so important that the outcome of this debate should be a strong determining factor in choosing whom put forth as the Democratic nominee from District Two.

Military, veterans, widows and concerned citizens, send your comments to: www.billmccamley.com and www.harryteagueforcongress08.com.

This is a guest blog by Col. Donald E. Jonker, USAF Ret., of Las Cruces. Col. Jonker commanded a Fighter Squadron in Vietnam and flew 120 combat missions. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, eight Air Medals and others. In addition to running a consulting firm with his wife, Dr. Pat Jonker Ph.D of NMSU, Don is currently Chairman of the Dona Ana County Labor/Management Board; Chairman of the Dona Ana County Airport Advisory Board; Director of the Picacho Hills Country Club and Director of the Special Deputy Sheriff's Commission.

Guest blogs provide our readers a chance to express themselves on topics of interest to the political discourse here, and may or may not express the views of the DFNM blog. If you'd like to submit a post for consideration as a guest blog, contact me by clicking on the Email Me link on the upper left-hand corner of the page.

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