(NEW)  As a long-time supporter of Swords to Ploughshares here in San Francisco, I was pleased to receive your email about the legislation you introduced that will further support our HOMELESS!,
Pam, San Francisco

(NEW)  KUDOS for your effort to help the homeless veterans. As a retired Navy, Viet Nam era veteran, it breaks my heart to see so many guys my own age, and some older and some much younger, that are homeless for any number of reasons. I also believe the benefits we were promised when we were drafted or enlisted, should never, ever be cut or taken away. I watched as my own father, a WWII MIA/POW, suffer with some of the physical impairments as a result of his service, and later realized he also had mental issues as well. Fortunately, he was able to cope with his problems until late in his life, and had to sell his house, the house I was born in, in order to get the care he needed. He was one of the fortunate ones, compared to so many others. I do thank you for your efforts, and for your service to our country.
Michael, Moreno Valley

(NEW)  That's a great idea about putting a space on our income tax to support our veterans' programs to reduce homelessness. My dad was a vet from WWII so this is very important to our family. I hope your legislation passes.
Dolores, Palm Desert

(NEW)  Thank god someone is thinking about them. They thought about us when they were serving this country so why should we forget about them.
Laura, Moreno Valley

(NEW)  Your concern about veterans homelessness is commendable and appropriate. However, a check off box to make voluntary donations is an insult and an outrage!!!! We need a surtax on income that is mandatory. Low income people may not be able to spare much but a ten percent tax on all income over $100,000 per year to fund veteran housing and healthcare would be totally appropriate. Our veterans should not be dependent on charity! Tax payers owe them the care they need including medical and psyhcological! It is not a charitable act to care for our veterans. It is a duty and an obligation! Make congressional pay dependent on a check off contribution. Make veteran care a mandatory obligation!
Al, Mill Valley

(NEW)  I want to thank you for your efforts in honoring our Vietnam Veterans I myself being a Vietnam Veteran that returned home to a ungrateful nation, I am now scarred with PTSD and the horrible memories of that terrible War. I think you are a wonderful person for what you are doing for our country and our Veterans.
Tom, Mira Loma

(NEW)  While I applaud your desire to help our veterans. I am sure you know that through churches and other non government organizations there are many ways one can help without giving money to the government. It is painfully obvious that the government does not know how to allocate dollars without wasting most of them. You might not admit that publicly but you know it is true. That fact has nothing to do with political parties it is the nature of the beast. I don't see why we need the government to spend yet more money to more public employees to do something that the community can do far more effectively.
Steve, Yucaipa

(NEW)  Does the donation become deductible? Who decides where the money goes? It seems like a nice thought, but excess tax legislation. Currently legitimate organizations that help homeless veterans receive donations that are tax deductible. My veteran brother has been homeless, and I appreciate the services that he received.
Robert, Murrieta

(NEW)  Great move! I will instruct my accountant to check this box and contribute from our funds on this year’s tax return. Thank you. I'm a vet and although not homeless I understand some of their problems.
John, Goleta
 

Thank you for all that you do to help fight for our homeless veterans. For years I lived two blocks from the VA hospital in San Francisco. Every day I talked to homeless vets. I heard about their struggles, I heard how many were denied housing because of addiction issues. I talked to men who were in the trenches, who saw terrible things, who won medals. I heard their poetry and their songs. Every day I got angrier and angrier that these men were on the streets. More so because, once on the streets, they become throw away people. I hear "not my problem" and "get a job." Thank you Barbara Boxer for consistently shining a light on this issue. No one should have to live in deep poverty and illness. And for us to be shouting "Support our Troops!" while so many vets live this way is just appalling to me. Thank you.
Marsh, San Francisco

I think it is awesome that you are supporting veterans now to try to stop them from being homeless. I am married to a Vietnam vet who still remembers being spit upon by his fellow Americans when he returned after two tours in Vietnam. While having his ischemic heart disease accepted as a presumption of agent orange he has to receive that small extra amount of money cause we are married… My husband is not alone in his belief that the remaining Vietnam vets will be dead before they are adequately compensated.
Sherry, Moreno Valley

Finally something I can back a Democrate in a cause. We donate what little we can to the paralized Vets, but had no idea how to help others. our troops go through hell and get so little help and support. I am a registered Republican but will support you 100% on this. by the way we are not vets and no one in my immediate family is a vet.. Thank you
Jean, Tehachapi

I agree we need to extend more help to our veterans who are homeless. We need to start with Mental Health first. They did their best to help our nation. The war in the middle east will never end. We need to bring our men and women home and provide jobs for them. We need to help them in every way possible.
Linda, Sun City

Why just Veerans? What about children? Veterans already have a life where if they are homeless they cannot assimilate into society and have other issues. Children are our future and we need to focus on that.
Michael, Temecula

With prices going up, and buying power going down every day, where do you expect to find taxpayers who would choose to donate more money to the government so they can do the job they should have been doing all along with the trillions they are collectinbg and mismanaging? Seriously, this veteran would first like to see more fiscal responsibility with the trilliions you have been entrusted with. You may want to consider such things as a balanced budget amendment for one... Since I have a choice, I know of a number of charities that I believe will do a more responsible job with my money. And several of them help veterans too. Respectfully,
George, Yucaipa