The current crop of politicians in Congress represents the lowest percentage of veterans (18%) since before World War II. How is this possible, given that the nation has been at war for over 13 years? Why is it important to have people who served in uniform also go on to serve in Congress?
Because we as a community or subgroup of the American population are not only not organized really outside of Facebook groups, but there is an apathy towards politics and lack of interest in supporting veteran candidates, at least that I’ve seen and that must change and we must organize and demand change. A big problem is that those in power are not willing to let the next generation of veterans to assume the highest levels of government; we are still advocates, activists, parade walkers… As the youngest U.S. Senate candidate in America, and potentially first Iraq-Afghanistan veteran that could be elected to the U.S. Senate in history, I certainly have not received the support I would have liked to this point, but hopefully that changes.
In two runs for U.S. Senate as a 32 year old disabled veteran, my first in 2012 as a 30 year old vet I won two of Minnesota’s eight congressional districts, nearly a third, and gathered over 44,000 votes statewide performing the best in Minnesota since 1948. Yet, I have never been contacted by and of the military newspapers or military TV. I think that says something. We are underrepresented because we keep it that way, we not only do not support each other with our time, but older more affluent and wealthy veterans have in many cases withdrawn from supporting veterans minus a check perhaps to a service organization per year for a deduction and that also must change.
Those with the power to help influence are not doing so. We are not helping fund veteran businesses, or trying to improve the Small Business Administration (SBA) Patriot Express Loan that I still have not met one veteran who has ever utilized this program that I have applied for numerous times and been rejected for lack of collateral, despite what has been described by bankers in private to me as an inadequate guarantee that doesn’t entice banks to help out. It’s about the money, and we are being left behind. We must not just ask for better programs, we must demand it.
I am a graduate of the Entrepreneurial Bootcamp for Veterans Program (EBV) at Florida State University – College of Business and my business plan was requested to be shown to students as an example of how to make a business plan, yet I have yet to ever get a business loan despite numerous large partnership agreements, letters of support from elected officials, etc. We are being left behind in this economy and we are doing little to change the reality as a community of veterans who have given so much for this nations defense. We must stand together and demand better, and when we don’t get it, kick the bums out.
One of the hot topic issues in Washington right now is immigration. Some people are in favor of a more strict policy than what is currently implemented and some support amnesty. Where do you stand in this regard?
First thing is first, I want to secure the border and if the other side is willing to work to a compromise, I am too. I want a new state-of-the-art border fence and a new tactical division of U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) that is strictly tasked with stopping the high level crime that is running rampant throughout our border. What is happening on the Southern border is treacherous, and that Washington is so broke and corrupt they can’t get it right elevates the need for new knowledgeable leaders to lead on immigration and border security.
I actually am studying U.S. Border Security at Texas A&M University – Bush School of Government and Public Service right now, and hold a Master of Science in Security Strategies and Technologies (MSST) from the University of Minnesota. I am willing to work out a deal to allow some people who’ve been hear for a set amount of time and law-abiding outside of being illegally here in America a chance at temporary green cards and possibly permanent green card status in return for securing the border, enforcing our deportations on criminal illegal aliens, and immediately halting the secret dumping of illegals across this nation in one of the most gross of violations of U.S. law I’ve witnessed in my lifetime.
I am opposed to blanket amnesty. I will work with those willing to secure the border first, properly task our USBP and not assign them to babysitting duties, demoralizing our Border Patrol, law enforcement, and our national sense of pride. I am committed to increasing our tactical ability to protect the homeland with a new force comprised of mainly former U.S. military veterans who want to continue to serve this nation in a tactical fashion. We can find a deal if we can agree that the first thing is stopping the dangerous flow of unknown illegals from around the world. Only roughly 20% of those reaching the border are children, many are gang members who want nothing other than to wreck havoc in our borders with little consequence or ways to track them. We’ve caught radical Islamic terrorists sneaking in before, and we know of some that have made it through. We cannot leave our cities and people to chance to see another day, we must act responsibly and thoroughly, with confidence and a purpose and short, medium, and long-range goals.
First thing is first; we must secure our borders, and get an out-of-control situation quick, fast, and in a hurry. We cannot sit by and watch the Southwestern U.S. invaded by criminals looking to exploit a corrupt, and inept Washington and U.S. Senate that would rather give $3.1 billion dollars to illegal immigrants than our veterans. It is unacceptable and I will fight this every step of the way.
The GOP Primary is today! If you would like to find out more about David J. Carlson and his campaign for the United States Senate, click here to visit his website, follow him on Facebook and Twitter @MN4DavidCarlson.
Buy Me A Coffee
The Havok Journal seeks to serve as a voice of the Veteran and First Responder communities through a focus on current affairs and articles of interest to the public in general, and the veteran community in particular. We strive to offer timely, current, and informative content, with the occasional piece focused on entertainment. We are continually expanding and striving to improve the readers’ experience.
© 2024 The Havok Journal
The Havok Journal welcomes re-posting of our original content as long as it is done in compliance with our Terms of Use.