Iraq Vets Push Comrade’s NY-26 Bid

Yes, he’s a veteran of the Iraqi war – thank you to David for his service. Now please tell me exactly how that qualifies him to serve in Congress.

It’s not a scam to support a worthy candidate. Iraq Veterans for Congress support Iraq Veterans who are principled, conservative leaders. Lalor’s endorsement goes a long way in my eyes.

Hey big red, a track record of putting your neck on the line for this country is the best qualification of all. Veterans have already demonstrated selfless service to country, a credential sorely missing in Washington, D.C. The current generation of veterans is pure volunteer. They joined up when there was no draft, when military service was the exception rather than the rule as it was in previous generations. Bellavia led troops valiently in the most arduous of conditions. when you compare a citizen soldier like Bellavia seeking to a become citizen legislator with other candidates and contrast the military pedigree of honor, service and sacrifice with the typical background of House candidates, the differences are stark.

House candidates usually fall into three categories. First, there are the career politicians. Their primary qualifications are being well-versed in spending taxpayer money for maximum political advantage and toeing the party line so as to advance. Above all they possess a strong sense that they are entitled to represent their community in Washington because it’s their turn (see Asmb. Jane Corwin).

Then, there are the “my politician-relative is my qualification” candidates. In 2008, the daughter of former New Jersey Gov. Christie Todd Whitman (R) sought the GOP nomination for a House seat in the Garden State.

Finally, there are the rich guys, qualified to serve in Congress because of the size of their wallets (see Chris Lee and Assmb. Jane Corwin). The political class loves these candidates because they are cash cows for pollsters, consultants and spin-doctors.

Not that I know nothink, but isn’t that the point?

It’s the house of “representatives.” Therefore, if the voters of a particular district choose to select and elect a playboy or a patriot, it’s their choice.

Bellavia may not have done “anything” other than his duty (read his book by the way, it’s pretty gripping, and if true, worthy of great respect) but that may be enough in this race in that place we call the 26th.

I think we sometimes forget – the first rule of sales is to get your foot in the door. If his service helps him start the conversation – great. If he can’t then complete a sentence then he will lose.

Bellavia is no Alvin Greene. If it comes to it, the voters will figure it out.

The most solemn obligation of the federal government is national defense but those who actually fight our wars and defend our shores are severely underrepresented in Congress.

Because Bellavia was an enlisted serviceman rather than an officer, his presence in Congress would have a profound impact on national security matters.

Consider that barely twenty percent of our leaders in Congress spent time in uniform and the number of combat veterans is even smaller. According to a report by the House Armed Services Committee, only five percent of House members served in combat zones, and even fewer saw actual combat.

Also quite rare is the member of Congress who served as an enlisted man. Only about forty percent of the veterans in Congress were enlisted despite the fact that eighty-five percent of our military are enlisted rather than commissioned officers.

Thus, the rarest of all members of Congress is the combat enlisted man, who makes up only six percent of the veterans in the House and a microscopic 1.3 percent of the entire body.

While generals and colonels craft the overall strategy of any conflict, the execution is done primarily by privates, corporals, and sergeants of the infantry, artillery, and cavalry. Because they operate where the metal hits the meat, enlisted men of the combat arms have valuable insights into equipment, tactics, and policies.

Moreover, much of the War on Terror is a counterinsurgency operation, which by its nature is decentralized. As a result, patrols are often commanded by corporals and sergeants, known as Non-Commissioned Officers or NCOs. Thus, many if not most life-or-death combat decisions are made by NCOs, not commissioned officers.

Someone like Bellavia who not only has this experience but demonstrated great leadership under fire is precisely the kind of person we need in Congress.