Here’s my “two cents” – with tariff fueled, inflationary impacts costs me “twenty cents”!

Months before the U.S. government shutdown ground federal operations to a halt, the current administration was already engaged in a widespread purge of federal agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Over 1,000 staff members were let go from the VA as part of the Trump Administration's purge of federal bureaucracy, which exacerbated the ineffectiveness that was already rampant within the VA, causing years of delays in the delivery of services to the nation’s heroes.

Since the shutdown and the increase in employees being furloughed, vital programs that reportedly operate off of an “advanced appropriation” are not as impacted, but do not get off scot-free from the pains of inadequate resources and staffing. 

Other programs that include transition services, burial assistance and prevention initiatives do not fare as well, which leaves many veterans and their families in serious limbo without vital safety nets, including counseling and other supports, just to survive. VA regional offices are closed, and roughly 15,000 employees to date have been furloughed.

Many local organizations have increased their support services to fill in the gaps and desperately needed. The work being done by the VA, which was compromised at the start of this administration, is further strained, causing more hardship for veterans who have consistently struggled to transition to civilian life.

Expect suicides within the veteran community to rise

Coupled with the unfounded attacks on DEI and the disparaging remarks that diminish the contributions of women and people of color within the military, there is a strong indication that there will be an uptick in the rates of suicide ideation within these groups.

Addressing debt in this scenario presents both opportunities and challenges, offering more options to tackle the debt and fill the gaps in the system that were previously broken and exposed during the furlough.

When the Stench Comes from the Top…

…how can you keep the smell from reaching the lower ranks?

Whether it is the societal or healthcare challenges that impact the already strained existence of Indigenous people in this country, or the derision against DEI and the few gains it provided to communities of color, particularly Black and Brown people or the blatant attacks on women and the dismissive approach to their freedom of their own bodies; we are currently experiencing a societal shift that is mimicking previous eras where words such as “freedom”, “liberty”, and “justice” were whisps of smoke that vanished quickly in the air.

 Meanwhile, there is an expression, “The fish stinks from the head.” How does one address the stench and return to the fresh air of core principles and factual narratives to counteract the false premises and misinformation?

Number One: Acknowledge the contributions of Indigenous people, the First Nations, who are the most protective of the land today, and incorporate their approaches into land management and conservation. 

Indigenous people have always practiced sustainable land management and ecological adaptations that have saved millions of acres of land for future generations, despite too often being left out of policy decisions and resource allocations.

Number Two: fully examine and showcase the excellence of Black and Brown people to refute the false narrative that only one ethnic group is capable of leading and making America meet its promise. Those of African and Hispanic descent have made, and continue to make, stellar contributions to this country. As veterans, they have put their lives on the line to bring freedom to those in other countries that they did not even have at home. 

Number Three: Give women full equality, respect, and a secure place at the table. 

Women of all ethnic groups, over time and across borders, have tenaciously claimed their rights, whether it be to own property, claim dominion over their own bodies, exercise free speech, or vote. It should come as no surprise that they will fight to serve in the Armed Forces of their country – in spite of current policies. 

By employing the above, great and positive societal change can and will happen, and soon.

It’s as easy as one, two, three.