Here and Now: Congressman Mitchell

As a vet with PTSD yet refused VA benefits for 17 years, I would like to know how he is going to help get all vets competent VA diagnosis', funding and real and viable treatment, especially with the vets suicide rate at 120 per week, and 131 vets from war who have returned to kill others and some then kill themselves? Why is it the VA systems is so disjointed medical, from mental health, from treatment and then the regional offices, we don't have the where with all to chase these systems to help us- I can't imagine COngress ever getting through it either so why do vets have to go through these mazes? Why is it said via Katie Couric that it will take $2 Million dollars per vet to bring us back from PTSD, this is not true if they look into Brain State Technologies headquartered in Scottsdale, AZ. This coupled with several real programs a 30 recoping program, 2 to 3 intensives with Brain State Technologies and follow on with various treatments and vets will come through the PTSD.

From multiple polls of the Iraqi population, it's obvious that the majority of Iraqis believe that our military presence is hurting more than helping. And worse, that at least 50% of the population believes attacks on our troops is justified. Global terrorism has increased since our invasion of Iraq and our own CIA has said that our occupation is likely to increase terrorism rather than weaken it.

Mr Mitchell: Since you came into office last year, the House has had the power to stop this war by not passing funding for it. Why do you continue to fund something that is hurting Iraqis and increasing terrorism for Americans?

I know that you have tried to pass some bills that were killed in the Senate, but ultimately our involvement in Iraq would be exactly the same today if JD Hayworth were still in office. This is disappointing.

Does he supports the continued presence of U.S. troops in Iraq ??

Congressman Mitchell:
I am a veteran who has experienced PTSD. I was discharged from the Military in 1966. In 1999 The V.A. determined, "Service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been established as directly related to military service."
I have made it my goal to be sure that no returning veteran will ever have to wait 33 years to recieve treatment. I have worked with the Veterans Committee for the AZ Democratic Party. I am also working with the Maricopa County Democratic Party Veterans committee. A person who is connected with your campaign has told me that since I am do not live in your Congressional District that I can not be part of your Veterans Advisory group.
Why Not?

I visited the U.S.-Mexican border in Arizona over the weekend. It runs a few miles, then stops. It's patched in many places where it's been breeched, an apparently common occurrance. Locals report that coyotes use sophisticated equipment and can get 20 people over the fence in a couple of minutes. Optionally, they can simply detour a few miles and cross where there is no fence.

I came away shaking my head at the apparently dismal attempt my government has made to secure that border. The experience strengthened my feeling that the only thing our U.S. congressmen are good at is partisan bickering.

RE: status of farm bill. I am a partner in family farm operation that grows cotton and grain. Farming has a significant effect on Arizona's economy and the pocket books of Americans. The delays in the passing of the farm bill is of real concern to farmers, particularly the family and small farmer (as oppossed to corporate farms). Can Congressman Mitchell give some idea of the status and the possibility of its passage before the Nov elections. I also want to compliment Congressman Mitchell for his dedication to his elected office. Thank you

Recently there has been a significant expansion of uranium exploration activity next to the Grand Canyon. This has resulted in over 2000 mining claims in the area immediately south of the Grand Canyon. Uranium mining in the southwest has left a legacy health problems and environmental contamination.

The Coconino Board of Supervisors and Governor Napolitano have officially requested that the area be withdrawn from mining. Congressman Raúl Grijalva has introduced H.B. 5583, The Grand Canyon Watersheds Protection Act of 2008 to, in part, remove the area next to the Grand Canyon from uranium mining.

Can you speak to your opinions about mining uranium next to Grand Canyon and about possible reform of the 1872 mining law?

Congressman Mitchel:

This week I received an offer in the mail from Chase Bank for a home equity line. It promised low payments and interest rates less than prime. When I read the fine print, I found that the loan has a 10 year draw period where only the interest is being paid, then "payments may increase, possibly substantially to pay the principal." This is exactly the kind of predatory offer that led to the current housing crisis, and banks are continuing to set up similar situations far into the future. Credit card companies are able to change terms on a whim, able to raise interest rates to 30 % when a customer is two hours late on a payment to another unrelated loan.

How can the economy recover when these predatory practices are allowed to continue? I am greatly angered at the credit industry, and at Congress for not taking action to regulate these immoral practices which hurt all Americans except for the few that profit from them. Why has Congress failed to do anything about them?

Terry,

Can you call in and ask your question. It may be too lenghy to have Steve read.

please call 480.774.8200

Social Security & Medicare were just reported as predicted to run out of money sometime between 2010 & 2041 (Medicare sooner than Soc Security).
Does Congressman Mitchell have any hope that Congress will pass legislation to improve the financial base .... since this is such a politically charged issue????

My question is with the stimulus package and the checks that are to be sent out. My income is less than $3000 so when I called the IRS, I was told that I was not going to get the stimulus check. I certainly need it more than some tax payers that have an income of $150,000. Why was the $3000 lower limit set? My social security does not equal $3000 per year.

Chris