Veterans Slam Michele Bachmann’s Plan To Cut Vet Benefits

[MoltenRock III]

Can I just say something that annoys me? Cause I'm gonna go on an assumption that a ton of you guys are older than I and from a different generation. Since your generation fucked things up and reaped the benefits, how about this, you don't get to take it away from us, and you're still going to pay for it so stop bitching and just be glad we are letting you stay on US soil.

I think that's a pretty fair assessment. As I've said repeatedly, the Baby Boomers have known since 1981 (30 years!) that they would be a crushing burden on the rest of us working. What did they do? Nothing! But had they done "nothing" it wouldn't have left us all so bad off, but rather they ran deficits and not surpluses like they needed to.

It's really hard to take these people seriously who did nothing, and yet today support tax cuts, and slashing spending! It's unreal. Talk about denial.

 

[Just_Believe18]

We're broke and cuts have to be made. That's the way life is going to be from now on. Let's get out of the mind set that everybody gets everything they want. That's why we're $14,000,000,000,000 in the hole.

I think there needs to be a percentage cut across the board just to make it fair.

I completely disagree with you. You don't send men and women to war to die, then spit in their face when the survivors come home as heroes. If you can't afford to pay for their healthcare to meet the various health issues they incur coming back from war, then you don't send them to war.

I am enraged by any Republican who uses the troops to their political advantage, and then would even consider cutting their healthcare or benefits as returning heroes to this country. If you say, "I support the troops" then you say that during and AFTER they come home from war.

 

[White Eagle]

I completely disagree with you. You don't send men and women to war to die, then spit in their face when the survivors come home as heroes. If you can't afford to pay for their healthcare to meet the various health issues they incur coming back from war, then you don't send them to war.

I am enraged by any Republican who uses the troops to their political advantage, and then would even consider cutting their healthcare or benefits as returning heroes to this country. If you say, "I support the troops" then you say that during and AFTER they come home from war.

Thank you, you said much better than I. I let my anger of Bachmann even suggesting such a cut affect my post.
Men and women with PTSD need all the help we can give them. Even troops from Kuwait's fires and gasses need continued help, and I'm not sure they have found all the disabilities caused by the gasses. I'll go further and say Vets from Vietnam, Korea and if there are any left from WWII need continued help.

 

[White Eagle]

IIRC, reports said the VA was underfunded even before Bush decided we needed more kids shot and blown up. Calling for more cuts is ridiculous.

How about we slash all federal salaries to the U.S. median for five years, instead.

Or, how about cutting that tax break for the rich, make a tax on Banks and their employees getting all that money in bonuses and raise that tax on the rich. They are benefiting from all the wars.

 

[Centexfarmer]

Proof, once again, that the Tea Party "Movement" is nothing more than a mouth piece for Corporate Interests.

Why should the Federal Government take care of those who "volunteer" to fight for democracy, freedom, and defending all that's sacred in our country beyond being a tool for electing Republicans?


I agree with Michele Bachmann.

When it comes to cutting the federal deficit, the first place that we should focus is cutting spending on those double dipping losers who put their lives on the line defending our Democracy!

/end sarcasm.

 

[rareboy]

Bachmann’s idea of cutting costs by reducing veterans’ disability compensation by the amount received in Social Security Disability Income is not new. The proposal, which would affect more than 150,000 veterans, has long been on a list of possible budget options prepared by the Congressional Budget Office, which describes the option as a way to “eliminate duplicate payment of public compensation for a single disability.”

The average SSDI benefit is $12,800 a year, according to CBO

The two veterans’ program cuts now advocated by Bachman were included in an Oct. 28 report from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, about ways to cut $343 billion in federal spending. The think tank’s report projects that a freeze in VA health care costs would save $2.5 billion.

The report said cutting veterans’ disability compensation for those receiving veterans’ disability income would save $1.9 billion, which is roughly the same savings now claimed by Bachmann.

According to CBO’s estimates, saving $1.9 billion in one year would require applying the change to all veterans receiving both payments. Applying it only to those who become eligible in the future would save only about $40 million in the first year, according to CBO.

From the Air Force Times.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/01/military-michele-bachmann-veterans-budget-cuts-012811w/

 

[Kulindahr]

^
I see the logic of that. But if anyone shouldn't be stuck with just $12,500 it's people on disability. I've lived on that, and even able-bodied it's harsh.

Minimum wage in general brings ~$15,000/yr. Disability payments should be that much plus twenty percent to take care of all the medical costs not covered by insurance, etc. So if Bachman wants disabled vets to get less than $18,000/yr, she is just cruel.

 

[chrisrobin]

Proof, once again, that the Tea Party "Movement" is nothing more than a mouth piece for Corporate Interests.

Why should the Federal Government take care of those who "volunteer" to fight for democracy, freedom, and defending all that's sacred in our country beyond being a tool for electing Republicans?


I agree with Michele Bachmann.

When it comes to cutting the federal deficit, the first place that we should focus is cutting spending on those double dipping losers who put their lives on the line defending our Democracy!

/end sarcasm.

Regarding wounded veterans, their disabilities are their own fault. If they hadn't enlisted in the first place, they wouldn't need assistance. Hey, you make choices. If one recalls, the somewhat dubious claim that returning Viet Nam veterans had been spat upon, that would pale by comparison with what the Republicans like Michelle Bachman are attempting to do.

 

[chrisrobin]

I haven't uttered a single word being critical of any type of program not being of some benefit. I've simply said we can't afford them all anymore. But you are wise to plan yor life without government assistance. This way you won't suffer a disappointment once it's gone.

We all need a plan "B" in case things turn to shit, as it appears that they are. We've got states looking to be included in bankruptcy laws or to get bailed out by Uncle Sam. I personally could care less if SS is there for me. Just give me what I've put in and we'll call it even.

SS... you mean Schutz Staffel?