Job loss means jobless veterans

We learned last week that our economy lost nearly 50,000 more jobs, making it the fifth straight month of job losses, according to the Washington Post. Unfortunately, that kind of figure has become the norm this year as our economy teeters on the edge of failure. Americans are struggling to get by, many without jobs.

But for one group of Americans, those numbers don't leave much room for optimism - veterans who risked their lives and sacrificed for our future are returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, only to find an unsure future for themselves.

The nation has lost 324,000 jobs overall this year - another daunting enemy for veterans and their families to face upon their return home.

Many veterans need skills and training to obtain or retain their jobs, salaries, and benefits.

Four out of 10 members of the Guard and Reserve forces lose income when they leave their civilian jobs for active duty. Many left for the war thinking they would be deployed for six months and have ended up staying for a year or even longer and may be shipped out again.

It is critical that we take care of our veterans and invest in the educational and job-training programs that will help them re-enter the workforce upon return.

But some of our own representation in Washington has mandated that troops go to war, but hasn't honored them upon return.

For example, in 2005, Rep. John Shadegg voted against a job training reauthorization bill to provide extra assistance to veterans who are returning from conflicts overseas.

Congressional District 3, which covers Paradise Valley, Cave Creek and North Phoenix and which Shadegg represents, includes 56,000 veterans. With Shadegg in Congress, our veterans may never get what they deserve.

We have a sacred duty to support our veterans and their families because they have sacrificed for us.

We also need to make the economy work again - for all of America.

We need to keep our innovation economy going by investing in infrastructure - bridges, highways, water systems and public transportation.

Arizona is the fastest-growing state in the nation. With new, forward-thinking representation, we will fight for innovative new businesses such as solar power, which has the potential to create thousands of new jobs in Arizona.

Job training programs and new jobs are critical for our economy, but they are even more important for those veterans returning home to their families after serving our nation.

Democrat Bob Lord of Phoenix is running for the Congressional District 3 seat.