As a Vietnam combat veteran, I get as upset at guys who lie about their war experiences as anyone, but I am just as annoyed by politicians who use the so-called “Stolen Valor” law to proclaim their support for vets while doing nothing to provide housing to our homeless veterans. I have worked with Afghan and Iraq vets with both physical and mental wounds, some of whom got into trouble when they came home. Too many face discriminations in finding jobs and the services they require to restore and rebuild their lives.

Like the welfare fraud issue where stories of a few cheats in the grocery line are used to distract us from the real tax cheats in high corporate offices, the true despicables are the politicians who trumpet their legislation to stop non-veterans from obtaining benefits as a distraction from the fact they have done very little to meet the real needs of veterans.

Or trumpet tales of “welfare queens” to distract us from their tax break gifts to the richest among us.

I am supporting Jonathan Fulford in November because I know he will address the real needs of Maine veterans. He is an employer who has given second chances to individuals who have gone through rough times and has the courage, the insight, and the dedication to tackle the tough issues. He will not hide behind showboat legislation that does little to help veterans. He is all about getting things done in Augusta.

Mike Caron lives in Freedom