Why I want to support our veterans — The Paradise Progressive

*A decorated veteran takes his stand in Naples, Fla., as part of the No Kings protest on March 28, 2026. (Photo: Author)*

May 21, 2026 by David Silverberg, candidate for Florida Senate, District 28

When we say “thank you for your service” to an American veteran, we need to provide that person with more than lip service. Veterans living in Florida need some real effort to solve some very real problems. Memorial Day is a time to remember their sacrifice and service—but equally importantly, pursue solutions.

My name is David Silverberg and I’m running for the Florida Senate in District 28, which consists of Collier, Hendry and eastern Lee County.

Like all other Americans, Florida’s estimated 1.6 million veterans are being battered from all sides. The rise in prices that affect everyone hit senior and disabled veterans on fixed incomes especially hard.

Make no mistake where these costs are coming from: a war that America’s vets had no say in starting because it was never submitted to congressional approval; absurd tariffs on imports on which they were likewise never consulted; and an increasingly brutal rate of inflation.

And remember Donald Trump’s immortal words in response to all this: “I don’t think about Americans’ financial situation. I don’t think about anybody.” So he’s certainly not going to help.

At the federal level, vast and destructive cuts to the Veterans Administration by Elon Musk and his fleeting Department of Government Efficiency slashed the number of personnel who were attending to veterans. On the ground, that translated into longer wait times in hospitals and slower responses to veterans’ needs, even the most urgent ones.

Then, there are the Florida-specific problems. One independent journalist who has focused on these issues is Edmond Thorne, based in Fort Lauderdale.

In his article, “Disgraceful: Florida Veterans Face Nation’s Highest Foreclosure Rates After Key Aid Ends” Thorne detailed how rising insurance rates and other costs are driving veteran foreclosures and homelessness. On top of this was the VA’s termination of the VA Servicing Purchase Program, which helped veterans pay loans and reduce interest rates on their homes.

As Thorne put it: “Behind the numbers are stories that hit close to home and hearts. Veterans who bought houses years ago at stable rates now face rising bills they never expected. Some have already drained their savings. Others have taken on second jobs or leaned on family. For many, the home is more than an asset. It represents stability after years of service and sacrifice. Losing it carries both financial and emotional weight. Many veterans are asking how it came to this point so quickly.”

In addition there are costs imposed by the Florida governor and legislature – what I call “Big Tallahassee” – refusing to admit the dangers of climate change. That means that as the next storm season approaches, the costs of either preparing for those storms or cleaning up after them will fall on individual homeowners. In Florida, that includes senior veterans on fixed incomes.

Veterans need relief and this Memorial Day is a good time to consider the options. What can Florida do?

In another article, “Veterans Left Dying: Federal Cuts Push Florida VA Hospitals to the Breaking Point” Thorne had some good suggestions:

“Solutions will require focused effort and investment. This means targeted recruitment to fill empty medical positions in Florida’s VA hospitals, streamlining the community care program to prevent veterans from falling through the cracks, and making serious upgrades to harden facilities against hurricanes.”

He continued: “The state’s 1.6 million veterans represent a vast and diverse community. Their health needs are as varied as their service records, but their right to expect timely, competent care is universal. The coming years will test whether the system can adapt to meet that most basic obligation, or if the delays and disruptions will become the new, unacceptable norm.”

I find this norm “unacceptable.” If elected as state Senator from District 28 in November, I intend implement these suggestions and work in any way I can to improve the situation of Florida’s veterans.

I hope that you’ll check out my website Silverberg4Florida.com. If you do agree with me, I hope that you’ll donate, volunteer, and most importantly, vote for me in the general election on November 3rd.

We need to do much more than just pay lip service to our veterans. I thank our veterans for their service—and if they give me the chance, I intend to serve their needs as well.

See Silverberg4Florida.com for more positions and opportunities to volunteer.

To donate to the campaign, please click here.