Regardless what one may think of President Obama's job creation plan, he did do the right this week encouraging corporations to hire veterans. Our nation's former military members have the highest unemployment rate than any other demographic in this country — 240,000 unemployed veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq. That's shameful. Many who served in uniform have been deployed three or more times. They've laid it on the line and did their part more than once. They deserve the nation's thanks, by making gainful, life-fulfilling employment possible. Congress has approved tax breaks for businesses who will hire veterans — all veterans, not just the disabled. The Senate voted 94-1 to open the debate on Nov. 7 and on Veteran's Day approved a series of tax credits — Vow to Hire Heroes Act 2011 — designed to make it easier for veterans to find employment. The tax incentives cleared the house last month and will return there for a final vote when its members come back from its recess. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) said he cannot support placing one American over another when it comes to employment. Well, if Affirmative Action was the right thing to do, and became the law of the land; then these tax credits are equally fair. Perhaps there should be an affirmative action law for veterans; I'll bet it'd keep a steady flow of volunteers heading for the recruiting officers. I find it incongruous that anyone who has read of the sacrifices made during Operation Desert Storm, Operation Enduring Freedom (in Afghanistan, Philippines and the Horn of Africa), Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn, the post-OIF mission, could make a statement like DeMint. To be fair, DeMint was the lone opposing vote because he thinks the government's employment promise will fail like others in the past. But still ... he must not be up for reelection this year. It's bad enough there is a disconnect in many sectors of the U.S. with military service, even if the veteran is gainfully employed; but to be a veteran who has served this country in dangerous places, and unable to find work, compounds the stress they do not deserve. Affirmative Action has been successful in creating diversity in the workplace. A program like this will accomplish the same goals. The vast majority of young citizen airmen, marines, soldiers and sailors are skilled time-managers, goal-oriented and motivated. These are ideal role models for younger workers. Why wouldn't you want someone like that on your team?