According to the Military Officers Association of America, the national inflation rate continued trending upward in May. This makes it nine straight months that the Consumer Price Index has ticked upward. This is important for military retirees, and those drawing VA benefits and Social Security, because the CPI is the indicator used to determine the annual cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) and adjustments to VA Disability and Compensation,Vets Pension, and other VA rates for the following year.
The May CPI was 0.5% bringing the projected CPI for FY2011 to at least 3.4%. Barring any downward trends in teh final four months of the fiscal year retirees will likely see a substantial jump in their COLA next year.
NOTE: The COLA referred to here is the annual cost-of-living-adjustment for retirees. It is not the same as the Cost-of-Living-Allowance for active duty.
Check out MOAA’s COLA Watch for the latest trend analysis.
I won't believe it untill I see it. Our greedy a$$ politicians have already frozen federal employee pay, and are trying to reduce military pay(during two wars). Have no intention of ever freezing their own pay, even though most of them are millionares. I expect them to freeze our pay again, while giving the top 3% another tax break.
I've said it once and I will say it again and again. The politicians need only to look in the mirror to find where the next budget cuts should be aimed at. We've continually have had our pay and benefits attacked and reduced. When is the last time they had a pay freeze, their COLA frozen ? Give the politicians a wake up call, the next time they need to see a doctor let them go through a regular VA hospital facility ( not Bethesda) and wait up to nine months for an appointment, or have a clinic only see them during their birth month. Dental clinics for non-disability related dental work. appts made once a year during your birth month. Leave OUR monies alone, give up YOUR pay to help OUR country's debt
B. Henthorn SrAmn ( Ret. USAF )
Amen
RetArmy…I agree…but Iraq just lost some 13 billion U.S. Taxpayers dollars….and how about some 443 billion to the war in Afghanistan ? I can't even imagine what else is spent/lost/stolen…with all this said, all I can say is why not a little consideration to this countrys Honorably Discharged Veterans !We have holidays and flag-waving patriotism….However, just how Patriotic is it for a country to deny/ignore health issues of its Veterans ? Thank you Sir for your service to this country ……
I'm with you, RetArmy, I'll believe it when I see it in the bank. I have been wondering if the Congressional heroes in D.C. have frozen their pay. Let Obama-lama pay for his own plane ticket for the rest of his final term in office – that's only 1.5 years, he can pay with that unjustified, unearned Nobel Prize money he got. It'll never happen, even as much as I hope and pray. There is still an unscrupulous difference between "them" and us.
I agree with you . The congress will most likley not give us a cola increase. They and obama don't give a dam about the retired members of the armed forces of the UNITED STATES. Lets all make sure and check who votes for the bill , the ones who vote aganst the increase in COLA lets get them out of Washington DC and get someone in there who will look out for the ACTIVE DUTY, VETERANS AND RETIREES
Two wars ? Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya…I count three going on right now…
Hey gripers, get off your retired asses and organize local and regional military retiree associations, keep them informed of crap like this and use the power of voter registration and "VOTES" to send these non-military morons back to unemployment….(which will be a paltry $80,000 plus) retirement….
Hey you'all the vote works…..it just takes the 3-5 million of us to actively vote and send Congress the "WHAT IS"
SFC Retired Malcolm W Stallard, Bristol Tennessee
if congress officials had to pay into socical security and health from their monthly income, just maybe they might think twice about messing with colas for military retirees
I've spent over an hour reading and digesting these comments. I believe that those who have come to the conclusion that we must vote only for those candidates whose voting records agree with American interests and capitalistic versus socialism values. We must think about term limits but, no Congressman is going to vote themselves out of a job! We must be diligent and at every election review our individual Congressional representatives and make our decisions based on their voting records. As others have said the only way to clean house and keep it in order is to throw out the trash every election. In time, politicians who do not want to play patriot will not run. Who wants to spend all that money and have no one vote for them? We also need to stay on the "buy American" bandwagon and help our guys returning from their tours of duty to find employment that will support them and their families. These are not the best of times, let's work together to ensure we do not ever see the worst of times. And thank you all for your service to our great America!
Agree with RetArmy, they are a;ready trying to figure out how to reduce the colas by tying them to an indicee that is historically .25% lower than the CPI. I can actuall see tham tyring to take money away from us at some point instead of tackling the real spending problems in DC and the Pentagon (which has no frigging clue where all its money goes)
yeah i agree…so….hey what ever happened to that 6 billion "we" can't account/find in Iraq? hey it's only SIX FREAKING BILLION!
I guess we'll have to wait and see what happens and hope for the best. We retirees do need to keep up with the cost of living as living is costing us quite a bit to live.
I think that we retirees be it: Army, Navy, Marine, Coast Guard, Airforce and/or any Federal mandated retirees should get together and form a coalition to put a stop to Congress', etc. picking always on the weakest link they can find; regardless of who is responsible for the down trending of our once thriving economy.. Does this make sense to anyone? In my opinion, officers or enlisted and/or civilian federal retirees have one common, vested interest in this constant attack on benefits that we all so deserve by virtue of the fact that we have sacrifice enough to serve wihtout question and honorably, our greatest nation.
Thank you all,
G. S. DE JESUS, USN(YNC-Ret)
These jerks in Washington are undoubtly the most uninformed group on the face of the earth. They really know how to screw around with the people who protect their rear end. Along with that we have people in the command structure of the military who think the same way.
MORONS!!! Everyone of them, "that's all I've got to say about that."
You got it…no need to guild the lilly here. Short and sweet….From the Command structure, who are only politicians in uniform, to the Congress….we need a clean sweep at the voting booth.The Repoblicans have their "Tea Party" , we need our own representation with an "American Service Division"…..There have been "marches "on Washington in the past. Why do we keep electing politicians who have NO military experience and also keep their family OUT of the service? Our battle is on the horizon in 2012….we can't afford to loose this one !
Ltcwes
Jim it's not that they are not informed, they just don't give a damn about the American citizens. Now if we were illigal aliens we would be overwhelmed with food stamps, health care, 0 percent loans, free housing, and allowed to vote in 2012 election. Do I sound bitter ? Damn right I am.
The VA screwed me years ago also. As a hot tempered young vet at the time, I let it go for twenty years, vowing never to go back to the VA for hospitalization. After a relocation for my job, I found a VA that told me I needed help and I had been screwed. Point is, not all VA doctors and staff are bad, some really do want to help. Don't give up and keep records always.
I WON'T GO TO THE VA CLINIC FOR THE REASON I'M TIRED OF BEING JERKED AROUND, YOU CAN'T FIND ANYONE AT THE CLINIC WHO CAN EXPLAIN YOUR MEDICINE SO YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TAKING. THEY HAVE SOME OF THE RUDEST PEOPLE AT THE DESK WHEN YOU GO IN. IT'S LIKE THEY HATE TO SEE YOU COME IN BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE PUT FORTH A LITTLE EFFORT TO
DO YOUR PAPERWORK. I FOUGHT WITH THEM A NUMBER OF YEARS ,AND THEN JUST GIVE UP. I WON'T GO BACK.
Sorry to hear of your troubles with th VA clinics & hosp. But I know where your coming from iv been there. It took me to almost have a total melt down before I started getting any help. But in order to get some real help you must go there with a cool head. Be firm but not to aggressive keep repeating your needs / concerns. Make them see you as a person. If all else fails contact your mayor, your state rep. Your local VSO person. For those of you with prescription issues you can go on line & find way more info than your Dr will provide. Also if you are over so many miles from a VA or military facility you can ask for a Fee Base card. Let’s you see almost anyone you want.
You need help!!!! I also had a problem with the VA. Takes too long to explain but they listed me as deceased which stopped my benefits (pay included) and also stopped my military retirement. Called my congressman and the day I called him everything was reinstated. If you have a problem call your congressman. Worked for me
THE VA ALSO HAD ME LISTED AS DECEASED A FEW YEARS BACK, THE ONLY WAY I FOUND OUT WAS I CALLED THE VA OFFICE TO CHECK ON THE STATUS OF A CLAIM. WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THESE PEOPLE? iF ITS THAT EASY TO MAKE A MISTAKE WITH SOMEONES RECORDS, WHAT ELSE IS SCREWED UP. YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE GETTING ALL THE BENEFITS YOU ARE ENTITLED TO OR NOT.
AMEN! GI Joe, you got that right. I went to 2 separate facilities for VA help and finally got it through the office in Lawton, OK. My advice is the same as yours and Winston Churchill's "Never give up! Never, never, never give up." There are souls in the VA system that actually want to and do help we soldiers. Do not be discouraged, help is the next person or phone call away. Hooah!
agree GI JOE, my father was wounded in the korean war and initially sought help from the VA. he didnt get much help at that time (around 1955) in 1995 my mother made a appointment for him at the va hospital. he hadnt gone as his records were destroyed in the big fire in st. louis. they took a look at his problems and immediatly got him help. we have been truely blessed to have the VA help my father with meds, treatments, and a small pension. so, moral of the story, don't give up, keep trying.take care
I GOT THE SAME BS FROM ST. LOUIS ABOUT MY RECORDS. THIS TIME IT WAS A FLOOD THAT DESTROYED THE RECORDS. I TOLD THE LADY I WASN;T STUPID!! I KNEW THE MILITARY HAD MORE THAN ONE SET OF RECORDS ON A SOLDIER. AFTER A TRIP TO MY LOCAL CONGRESSMAN'S OFFICE I HAD THE RECORDS IN 2 WEEKS.
SORRY TO SAY MY CONGRESSMAN HAS PASSED AWAY, HE WAS A GREAT HELP TO ME AND MANY OTHERS. HE WAS UNDERSTANDING OF THE VETS NEEDS. WE WILL MISS HIM.
Good that you recieved your records. I hope that you continue to have good servicemen that can help you throuhg your ordeals.
Label Light
Retires have not gotten a COLA in 2 yrs, I'm not planning on getting on in 2012. There is a lot of budget cutting going on in DoD.
I dont expect any cola either. I agree with cutting the budget but I think all congressmen and woman also have their pay and benifits cut. SFC retired
ADD THIS TO ALL THE LIES WE HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM DAY 1 OF ENLISTMENT!!!!
Why don't someone help the vet's with mental condition who sign away their rights while in the hospitals around the USA. The had not can of legal help,An the cannot get nothing from the armservice,that is wrong and unlawful. They should get full retired from the military but they dont,It need to be something done about this.
Hmmmm, my military family. Perhaps if we STOPPED voting in politicians who decry "socialism" and vote in politicians who believe in a safety net for ALL citizens we wouldn't get screwed. For the military is the largest government organization in the country and by definition ALL of our benefits are socialism. So maybe it hasn't worked in other countries but we are AMERICANS and if WE can't do it, NO ONE can. Instead of saying the providing a safety net for all American citizens while at the same time keeping our American way of life is impossible we need to step up to the plate and show 'em just what Americans are made of and can do!
There is a difference between a "safety NET" and a "security blanket". A net has holes in it so not everything is covered. What you seem to want is a cradle to grave security blanket. Grow up and start taking responsibility for you and yours!
Giving a soldier the financial and health services to help counter the losses he suffers as a result of risking his life to protect my and everyone else's freedom is NOT socialism. It is JUSTICE: a recognition of a debt owed by us to every soldier who took that risk and spared the rest of us the cost of bearing that burden. If you want to advocate socialism, do so openly, but do not hide behind the honorable commitment and EARNED services veterans receive. The financial payments and health services veterans receive are not handouts.
AMEN!
Idiot!!
Nice input to a complicated subject. Name calling always solves the problem.
Vote for the party that wants tax cuts….tax cuts means no money in the bin to distribute.
Vote for the party that doesn't want to tax the rich that YOU all protect……keep digging your retirement pays grave.
FailureIsImpossible have you even served a day in the military? If not perhaps you shouldn't even comment. Maybe you did serve and were dishonorable discharged and couldn't receive benefits. Either way stick it! I served over twenty one years on active duty and spent four combat tours in the desert. I know what I am entitled to.
I wouldn't mind giving a little if Congress would give a like percentage oftheir money toward the Federal Deficit-but they won't and they are still going to task me for additional increased taxes.
Since Congress is NO LONGER our elected officials in DC don't look for any sensible laws or any help of any kind that would improve the militray lives or the retirees lives. They no longer pretend nor do they hide behind theor clock of secrecy as before. They no longer fear being removed from office EVER since all of the elections have been more or less "rigged" in their favor….. They have neatly paved their road to Congress as a lifetime appointment….. So if you think any COLAS are soon forget it, the new phrase in Congress is reducion in pay and benefits for the military….They now show their true colors in that area as well as passing of laws that screw the public
“The times they are a changing” (Bob Dylan)
Pretty soon it will be back to the draft, after all
the broken promises, cutbacks and decreases in
pay and benefits take effect.
Love your quote!! Yes, Mr. D sang a lot of truths. How about Masters of War (B. Dylan)?
Hey Einstein:
We are in terrible need of the DRAFT so that every eligible American,
male and female have an invested interest in the protection of their
country. When was the last time that you wore a uniform?
The President , and Congress need to remember that the United States has Millions of mad Veterans and military members that will be Veterans soon who VOTE. Together we can control Congress with our Vote. We have nothing else that we can use besides working together to make a better life for us and our kids now and for the future. We can all see what type of life Congress wants for us. Look how after the wars that the veteran has always been treated. We do not matter to Congress until we are needed, and now they proved that because most of our Rights have been taken away from us and all of the American People that we have no power to do any thing about it. As read the comments, I see that many of you feel you can not help your self. That is almost true you can not be much help by your self. But together we can just about do any thing we want and need to do to have a better United States. Gen. Washington and his men were few and out numbered but he knew as long as they fought together in time would win and have a new Country that would last as long as the people worked together and wanted it. Our Congress , and President have for got who put them in office with a single vote each, but together can replace them with a person that will do the all of us and not just for the people who make up the Congress. I feel that any law that has been and will be made is for every body. Congress is not above the law as some are finding out fast these days.
AMEN!
Yup need to do a little march on DC and show the scumsucking pigs were not gonna put up with it anymore. With Tricare costs going up were all the meds etc were supposed to be at no cost to me when I joined this is pissing me off more everyday. They need to be on the same plans for med and SS that everybody else in the country is on. These assholes think they are better than we are
If you add the people on SS to the Military retirees and get most everyone on the same page, we should be able to run the rats out of office. Am i just dreaming? Sometimes dreams do come true. Don't they???
I agree. They don't care about us at all. They say they do but we have a President with no experience but has much wealth. I guarantee the next time I vote, the so called team of 6 will not have any vote from me. Anyone who would take from a soldier or threaten to not pay them does not deserve to be my President. Who has kept and continue keeping America safe? Not the suits. They don't have the nads for it.
The goverment has already taken 47:76 $from mr retirement every month How much more do they want?
Get out and VOTE, vote for term limits and vote the bums who think it ok to s**t on our military.our retired military and our disabled Veterans out of office. Time to run them out of town on a rail.They depended on us to keep them safe and then turn their backs on us. If you're disabled and can't get to the polls, call the DAV and I'm sure they will find you a ride. we can do something about this country we fought and some of our brothers died for!! Calling all Soldiers and Sailors, Marines and Veterans. It's time we put an end to this BS and stand up for our rights.
We would vote for term limits if it were ever to be put on the ballot, but the courts have determined that this constituted prior restraint. Just vote the bums out when re-election time rolls around. And see who is bankrolling their campaign to see who they are beholden to after the election if they were to win.
Voting will not accomplishing anything. We need immediate action
in the same vein that our military should be fighting our foreign wars.
Get in and get out, and no procrastination. Procrastination is what is
costing the United States money. Why are the Allies, still in the
Middle East after 10 years? Our Western Allies have not learned
anything from the total war concept practiced by the Ancient Romans.
In the same vein, we retirees have procrastinated long enough. It is
time to step to the plate and hit that home run in favor of we retirees, but
we do not have a home run king that is willing to run interference in
Washington. Does anyone have any suggestions, besides a velvet
march on Washington, D.C., that we retirees mean business in taking
back the country that we retirees had to fight for in the past? The active
are loath to react because this type of action would adversely affect
their careers, therefore, it is up to we retirees to come up with a plan
of immediate action. We retirees can no longer procrastinate.
Why are the Allies still in the Middle East after 10 years? Why are we still in Germany, England, Japan, Italy, Spain, and the rest SIXTY years after WWII and TWENTY years after the Cold War? Why do we feel we owe every third-world country that doesn't bomb our embassy (and some who do) hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in "aid" every year? Shut *all* overseas bases down, bring everyone home, right-size the remainder, and pay our bills. Do it now.
YOU ARE RIGHT WILLIAM. WHEN THESE POLITICIANS IN YOUR STATE COME AROUND SOLICITING VOTES, REMIND THEM THAT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN LOOKING OUT FOR THE RETIRED VETS. SEND THEM PACKING, THEY WILL REALIZE THE VOTES MIGHT NOT BE THERE TO PUT THEM BACK IN OFFICE.
teerm limits one session no bennies
I say, if someone who is trying to gain office, if they ARE NOT retired military, DON’T VOTE for them!
We need to start some kind of "Revolution!"
Omar Smith
USN/RET
That is correct, and the revolution needs to commence in
Washington, D.C. What are we going to do about it?
Evidently most American have forgotten the results of the
French Revolution in 1789. Bloodshed need not be spilled, but
the American voice needs to be heard in Washington, D.C., and of
late, the voice of the American people have never been heard
sufficiently. Remember, the U.S. government in Washington, D.C.,
works for we the people. We do not work for the U.S. government,
a concept that the American people have long forgotten. I am waiting
patiently for this inevitable Revolution.
Count me in!!!
i agree with all of you. lets band together power in numbers. to help us help our self's houstonmcneill@gmail.com
retireeUSA
Omar i agree with you. My husband served 25 years in the Air Force and i am his widow. He is rolling in his grave with anger.They cut my SS and my Military pay. They are disgusting. We need to clean house. Why we are not speaking up/ let's all rally to DC. We must ask for back pay. We must ask for 9% pay raise.
Then who you gonna vote for??? NONE of the GOP/TEA PARTY candidates are "retired military" and even though they talk a good game they could care less about us. THEY are in it for BIG Business and the powerful…
sign me up KMC USARMY RETIRED
I agree with Omar, I feel it should be a requirement to hold a public office. Then they would understand the sacrifices service men and women really face.
Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and numerous other founding fathers along with other great Americans never served, guess they shouldn't never been allowed to serve in other ways. If the founding fathers wanted only former military members to be president they would have put it in the constitution.
The politicians are bought and paid for by big business to do their bidding. So many Vets and Active Duty just don't band together like we should. When the supreme court said big business was a person and could but a politician things went south in a hurry. Good people can't afford to run against these bought and paid creeps are going to keep getting re-elected time after time unless we can all group together and force some positive changes for the average American be they a Vet or just a working stiff. We need to use the energy used in calling each other vile names and work together for once.
I agree with everything said above. B Hussein O and his liberal/leftist Dem's in the House and Senate are in for a rude awakening in 18 months. They didn't "see" us coming last election and they don't see MORE of us coming now. Not to worry….they just don't know what makes real Americans tick…Vet or Civilian!! Lib/Left Dem's haven't changed, they are doing just what they always do (remember the Carter years), it is just that when they are in charge (before Nov 10, and now Senate & BHO), we have to pay for their misdeeds. You can't be an American patriot and accept these European style socialists, progressives and anti American, blame America first idiots.
How long does that take??
Well said Jack, but i can't believe how some of our fellows veterans worship the ground Obama walks on, drives me nuts. I would hope to see him shipped on down the road, but he's got a line of BS a mile long he's selling and alot of people are buying, hope for the best, but i'm also planning for the worst.
That's because the President gave the VA 30 billion dollars a year ago. More than any other President in decades. The troops like him. It's the tea party having our Congress and Senate make cuts or they won't get re-elected. The tea party is the snake here. Semper Fi
Soaringeagle you are spot on. I can't believe people ,regular folks like us, actually vote for politicians as the tea party. Too, those that are so far to the right there is no compromise.
I've written to my senator and congressman in the past. The answers I receive come from the DNC template. They try to placate us with BS. Unfortunately others in my state think he's doing a good job and he is retired military. But he is just a mouth piece for his party with no original thought.
Coastie90, I'm in Arizona and my Senators is McCain and Kyl. Now you would think that McCain would be on top of it, but two years before he ran for the Pres spot, I wrote more than half a dozen email to his site and never got a reply. I wrote twice that number to Kyl and always got a reply, but seldom did any of his form letter replies (I really mean his staff's replies) have anything to do with my question or problem.
Too much power, too little concern. My point is that DNC or RNC, it's all the same same, when it comes to us, the retired military. If we were still in uniform . . . who knows. As a retiree, we might as well be trying to push a boulder up a hill with a cotton rope. We need to get some back bone in our point of view and find out what the real, unfiltered, un-contorted facts are, really are concerning our benefits. Are they sacrosant or just more BS we've fed to do the duty that the spineless who couldn't, wouldn't or were totally afraid to do. Good Luck Buddy!
The government should not tax retirees, all those years they had been worked for our country they should enjoy their pay. Since they were in the service they had been paying tax, and they retired and are still paying tax. They have already spent half of their lives for our country, and they should deserve something . When they retire paying tax should end so they can enjoy their retirement while they can. Unless they work again in a second job then go ahead and tax that. My husband retired, and we both work to death to pay bills, and all the taxes we pay looks like we have three people working . It looks like we make lots of money, but its nothing . Our Country is one of the most beautiful and richest places to live, that is why other people want to come here to take advantage of what we have. We should realize how important our military is and it should be our first priority, because they spent their lives to protect our country .Also they are human too. Many of our Soldiers served in foreign countries, and left their family, and loved ones, because of their love for America. America should take care of America more than anything else , life is short. America is the most beautiful and hard working, we should be taking care of ours first instead of trying to care for the whole world. It looks like we try to be the Mother of every country in the world . But we forgot what we have to do to care for our own people first. We try to solve problems everywhere overseas , why can't we focus on our own problems before we go out to do things for other countries. They have their own leaders and Presidents to run their own Country , and if they kill each other its their own business and thats how they like to run their country. Here we are trying to interfere what they like to do. They do it to themselves. No matter how much we pay them to be friendly to us they just don't care about us.
Luisa I agree with you!
I agree. The retired officer's association has for years tried to have the state of Georgia to not tax military retirees pay in tg the court system using the argument that FBI agents other federal govt retirees pay are not taxed by the state. why should the military retiree always get the shaft?
I wondered why I paid taxes for my 20 years. I figured out I was either getting taxed so they could pay me part of my pay (Charging me to have a job) , or so I could pay part of someone elses pay. Never made sense to me.
So much for Retiree COLA increases…here is what the article states: "In addition the Senate mark-up limits future annual increases of the fee to the amount equal to the percentage increase in retired pay (COLA) beginning on October 1, 2012."
To me that means Tricare Premium increases will be equal to my COLA increase, therefore, in 10 years or more inflation would have erroded my retirement to "nothing".
Do the Math. If your premium is $500 a year, a 3.5% increase equals $17.50 a year. If your retired pay is $1500 a month, a 3.5% cola equals
$630 a year. Not exactly losing your retirement pay over the next 10 years.
All the whining and voting is pointless. Do you really think you have a "choice" when you go to the polls? Look at who is there. Do you really think there is a difference in the republican or democrat parties? They ALL work for the same masters my friends, and that is big business. The money lenders OWN our congress, senators, presidential "hopefuls" beltway "insiders" and most other politicians. Look what happened to Ross Perot, and others who would have pulled our country out of NAFTA, etc. Look what happened to JFK when he wanted to abolish the "Federal" reserve. Nothing short of flushing that entire toilet (DC) twice and hanging those TRAITORS who have sold our Country out to these international "mobsters" is going to have one iota of effect.
You tell them Boats, have you looked at Belize as a possible refuge for the future?
You forgot to mention all those bond holders from Other countries.
BMC, USN (ret), I have to disagree with you for no other reason than to believe that, I would have to give up hope. Never have and never will. Somehow, someway, the real people of the world have to unify against, the radicals who think guns are better than uniform solidarity and the vote.
The point is we really don't have all the facts and therefore the means to know what the right way doing things really is or should be. I went to an American Legion in my home town and I was horrified to find a bunch of Military retirees sitting around with a glass of whiskey and no clue what the real world was like beyond the bar. I am no condemning the American Legion, but I really can't see myself becoming numb and dumb as the answer to our problems. That evidently we've already done that for the pasts 50 years letting the politicians run amuck. Lots of Luck Buddy.
Amen Brother
Chief, I have to agree with you on this one shipmate!
The Federal Reserve and the FDIC are nothing but money laundering faciltilities that is used to STEAL our money! You think that Wall Street bail out was a necessity to help this country? It was the BIGGEST FRAUD SCHEME those bastards did to this country – strong arming congress to give them da money!!! And then the Federal Reserve strong armed the banks to take money to lend out to people to stimulate the economy, HEH! These businesses FAILED and should have not been bailed out!!!
We need to get rid of both parties and elect someone (Independent, Libertarian, greenpeace) to make the changes that this country needs. Both the GOP & Dems had their shots MANY times and neither ONE can get it right! Never mind that the majority of these people elected into office are already in the 250K plus tax bracket (BREAKS!) and their interest lay in lobbyists, greedy corporations, pharmecutical companies, etc. IF we the people want to form a more perfect union then we have to VOTE another way and not only on the two party ticket. UNFORTUNATELY, too many Americans are not educated enough to realize that there are more parties on the ticket. And we know that these folks (Ron Paul) and others do not have the greenback to BUY them in offfice!! Off my soapbox…and spreading the word to educate people.
Amen, last election I did not vote for either republican or democrat. I voted all third party. I knew I wasn't going to win but wanted to make a statement
So true BMC. The powers to be with the big bucks have all the say so.
You are right on point. My baby brother has been saying this for years now. They will take out or destroy anybody who messes with the Federal Reserve. America is one of the most hypocritical counties in the world.
Insanity. Definition: Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
As long as Democrats OR Republicans are voted into office, NOTHING will change. It's their little club and as long as it stays that way, they don't have to answer up to the real problems/questions of the day.
The only way out of this farce is to start voting in (or at least "for")Independents, or, my personal preference, Libertarians. Once we get a "non"- professional politician base forming, the Dems and Reps will at least be accountable to folks who are "really" challenging the staus-quo.
If you find yourself voting out of fear, as in: "Well, I don't like McCain, but I'm terrified by Obama!", (or the reverse) you will always be trapped into voting Republican or Democrat – and THAT preserves their little club. Don't be naive. Next election vote for someone that you WANT. As soon as enough of us wake up to the fact that they're playing us for fools, and start voting with confidence instead, they'll start to fall – and fast.
I agree with all the comments from other service members. I served my country for 20 years and expected to be able to retire with the promises given to me when I enlisted. I also did a tour as a recruiter and promised these same things to those young men when I enlisted them. So lets every one keep our promises.
I had 2 surgeries at Fitzsimmons Army Med Center in Denver when it was open. Most of the beds were filled with vets that told me, don't believe what they promise you son, we did and they lied to us, they will lie to you too.
Look at all the Congressmen who R cutting r thoarts and must r x-navy types. Now Adm Mullen is trying to kill us, along with Gates. Enlisted men need to get off their duffs and go after these guys. If they cut my retired pay, Its Katie bar the door. Also stay away from my tricare 4 life.
I keep writing my Senators and Congressman – I mean constantly in the most valid sense. Bug the snot out of them. They are supposed to be our voice in DC. Make 'em talk. Don't pull any punches. Speak politely but firmly. Make them explain their stances, votes and ideas on bills and laws that concern THOSE WHO FOUGHT FOR THEM. I have 2 bronze stars on my NDSM. You can bet your sweet bippy they are going to hear from me.
I agree I write my Senators and Congressman all the time also.
Not only do I not expect a cola rase in 2012 I xepect to se a increase in heathcare tricare premiums. but hey we only risked our bodys and lives we were not suppose to come back most of us so they would not have to pay us anything. I am not bitter JUst cant stand to listen to any more BS from DC
Heres how the system works for those of you who have been sleeping for the last 20+ years. The party in power picks a few key industries as their friends to fight for their programs say like Dow Chemical, Phiser and GE and a few others to push for the Managed care system that Obama wanted. then they blame all the rest as being fat cats for not supporting it. its the Same when Bush was in Office. we change parties and still the same old game is played with our country just different people. Time for term limits and how about no more lawyers in DC . and any bill that is over 100 pages should be burned automatically. too easy to hide fraud and waste. also if a High School Graduate cant understand it then burn it also its got to be hiding something bad. next all ballots must not list any candidates only the offices that are up to replace and make it illeagal to promote yourself for election. Save us a lot of money and time and who watches those political adds anyway.
Obama, why does so many people seem t hate him? He seems to be the ONLY one that is actualy trying to get something done. He is the ONLY one that wanted to actually take out bin Laden. Everyone else was too busy trying to make money from a war.
He seems to be the ONLY one willing to compromise for the greater good, everyone else seems to be only interested in their "special interest"
I say keep Obama and vote out EVERYONE else that is causing this foolishness.
you must be one of those illegals he just told INS to stop prosecuting. He needs the illegals here so he can get the hispanic vote for his re-election.
This Clown's track record is abysmal. He's kept very few if any of his campaign promises, and just like the last DemoRat in the office, he's made use of the military, while defunding it as much as possible.
If the US went the way of New Zeland and cut 100% of it's defense budget, we would ___STILL___ be running a deficit.
Get a clue alexislj1
Really? How do you expect him to keep ALL of his promises when no matter what he says the Republicans say it is wrong, even if they proposed it a few years back.
Nobody gets EVERYTHING wrong, not even you.
De-funding the military? (is that even a word?) You must be confused. So you think we should still be paying for projects that seem to go on forever with no results?
If it wasn't for him the military would actually be getting a decrease in pay as proposed by the chain of command just so they won't lose their pet projects. Read some of the back issues of military.com
Please enlighten me on his track record and what happened when he tried to get it through. Bet it was the republicans that block it with their spin-doctor, fear mongering.
I am really starting to believe it is racism.
Please enlighten me with facts. Please include all the filibusters that were stage whenever he tried to pass something.
Nobody and I mean NOBODY is wrong 100% of the time.
My suggestion is we all need to call our elected ass's and start complaining, contact talk radio, bring this discression to the public, let them know what these ass's are up to. We have alot more support from the public then we did after Vietnam. Flood the sen. and congress with phone calls have all your neighbors and friends call, this will get their attention. then in November throw the bums out.
Let's also call for an end to automatic retirement for public officials after one term.
You can call for the end to automatic retirement after 1 term, but it was instituted in 1946, when Congress put itself under CSRS. They updated it in 1984 when they put all new federal civil servants under FERS, themselves included.
Learn the facts before posting
Part I:
Ask yourself why you hate your government and then ask yourself
what can you do to correct the problem. Voting will not help. Voting
is in reality, Catch-22. The American people do not have equal
representation in the halls of Congress because 99% of our
Congressman have not worn the uniform. Once an active member
in the military has been retired, his entire world changes. He is no
longer a part of the American fighting team, and is treated so
accordingly, therefore the rules in Congress must change to reflect
the times of change in Washington, by implementing rules that
Congressional members are no longer to maintain a career to exceed
8 years, in the same likeness as the American President. Perhaps
this would weed-out the good-old-boy mentality and issues would
be resolved at a quicker pace. Congressmen's initial annual pay has
been quoted as $174,000.00, whereas most teachers in our public
(to be continued) Reference Part II.
Part II:
schools annually earn approximately $37,000.00. And myself, as a
military retiree, earns just over $2000,00 per month. Please quote
me the difference between the responsibility and pay of a
Congressman, versus the pay and resonsibility and pay of a public
school teacher. There is not comparison in favor of the public
school teacher. The teacher has more responsibility than the
Congressman, but they are not payed equally for their more
important endeavors, and neither is the military retiree that has had
to brave the hazards on the battle field. I really do not want to hear
that Congressmen have other expenses, because most
individuals in Congress do not live within their means; teachers and
Part III:
retirees do. Everyone is entitled to received equal pay for equal
work, and therefore, we retirees have had to work in the past,
under conditions that the average has no concept, to include
the many hours of over-time that has never compensated.
Therefore, when the going gets tough, the American
government gets going, but let not anyone interfere with their
congressional pay, but in the meantime, Congress soon forgets
about we retirees, on a fixed income budget, but as soon as
funds become "TIGHT," the American government seeks ways to
reduce retirees pay and benefits, never themselves incurring
(to be continued-see part IV)
I hear all of my fellow retirees griping about the shape of things and the shape of the way things are going, but we don't seem to be anymore than Tea baggers when it comes to knowing what is true and false. The Repub Tea Baggers are crying cut, cut, cut, but they personally haven't got a clue what needs and could be cut without turning us into a third world country.
The Dems may have some right ideas but they seem gutless when it come to a fight.
Like one my fellow Retirees here put his finger one it. The Pentagon doesn't have a clue where all their money goes, but when it comes to cutting, they start with overall benefits and then they get around to Retiree pay. Sometimes by the back door.
There has to be cuts. But they need to start looking at the TAX situation. All the money is going to the top ten percent in this country and the some in Congress are bound by some blood oath to big business to cut taxes on that top 10%. For those of you who are also on Soc Sec, you should know that there is a cap on soc sec taxes. If you make more than 200 thousand, you don't pay any soc sec tax on that money over 200 thousand. So, if you make 2 million, you pay the same soc sec tax as a person making 200 thousand. NOW, who was stupid enough to have invented such a rule, and they wonder why the Social Security Trust fund is going broke. It is being strangled by the fact that all the middle class jobs are going to China with no Soc Sec tax come back this way.
I haven't heard but I would bet that Medicare is structured the same way.
We, the average American, are being robbed just as if they put a gun to our head.
Absolutely right. Bring back the windfall profit tax and our gas prices will go down when the oil companies start cutting back on their record profits
Ditto!
SS tops off at ~ $104,000 and benefits are not increased by earning a salary over $104,000/year. Medicare taxes do not have a salary cap, if you earn $1,000,000 /year, you will pay 100 times more medicare taxes than someone who earns $10,000/year and your benefits will be the same. The part B premium is adjusted by the amount of your earnings in excess of $25,600/year.
BTW Those individuals who are in the top 10% of wage earners pay over 75% of the federal income taxes. There are 48% of the tax filers who pay no incomes tax, they usually voted for Democrats and have their welfare checks delivered to their vacation homes in the Bahamas.
Tony, i'm glad to see your post, many people are not aware of the FACTS. And the democrats are surely not going to tell them because they would loose all those votes from the people who are misinformed by them. I actually think that the percentage of taxes that are paid by th top 10% is now above 80%.
It is a sad commentary that country has such a short memory. When Tommy (WWI & WW2 terminology) he was a hero, b ut when the fighting is over, and he's no longer needed he's forgotten. I can not help but agree with and understand the serious frustration our shipmates and fellow serviceman and woman feel. I too love my country, but I am totally discussed with the congress which controls the funding, the executive administration for being such foolish administratiors and lacking sound leadership. It's not just Democrats that are at fault for spending money we do not have foolishly, it is also the Republicans who have also been blinded by big business interest. In final analysis, the grass roots orgainizations, such as the Tea Party folks will prevail. The Congress is only interested in getting themselves reelected so they can get the ridiculously high salaries and retirement that they vote to themselves. If the country should, they will be the ones that cause the most problems and we, collectively, are also at fault for allowiing it to happen by reelecting them for our own personal gain. I urge every serviceman and woman to join an organization such as the Fleet Reserve Assn, Army Sergants Assn, Military Officer Assn., VFW, American Legion etc and unite. We will be heard. May God have mercy upon our country
I agree we need an alternative. I just don't think the tea party is a good choice. The major funding and unofficial leaders are the Koch brothers who make their money (lots of it) buying businesses, stripping them down (including firing most everyone) then selling them. Of course they want deregulation. Google them
Americans need to wake up and realize that the President does not run this country, CONGRESS does. These are the votes who need to be voted out of these lifetime positions. They don't care about the American people, especially veterans. There should be a limit on how long they are allowed to serve in these positions, because after they have sit in the positions for so long, they don't have a clue how the average American is trying to struggling to survive on a day-to-day basis. Many of them were born with a silver spoon in their mouth. They are lost in a material world and are headed straight to HELL.
This country give all these billion of our tax dollars to these countrys that hate our guts and if they had a chance would kill you in a minute. And then they say we got to cut this and that from the miltary to make up the country budget. Do they think we are a bunch of dummys and do not whats going on. The first lady is on vacation with her Mother and kids. Can you imagine what that is costing the poor tax payers. They are going through millions of our dollares just for a vacation. This really burn me up.
I agree, I have never in my life seen such a disgrace to our nation as the government officials now in office, especially Obama and his wife. Obama knows nothing more than how to spend, spend spend. I hope Michelles visit to South Africa was a good one, perhaps she and her husband should move there!
For all of you guys that say "VOTE VOTE", we TRIED THAT last election, and look what we got…NOTHING…
In regards to James above:
Good thinking.
Tax the Richey RICH of THEIR $Income,
Tax the Richey RICH of THEIR $Capital Gains,
Tax the Richey RICH of THEIR $Inheritances!
Note that the poor are taxed each & every day when . . .
The poor spend CASH money for . . .
Food & the prices goes up and YOUR COLA does not . . .
Gasoline prices goes up & up and YOUR COLA does not . . .
Clothing prices goes up & UP & UP & YOUR COLA does not. . .
Hardware prices goes up & up & up & YOUR COLA does not . .
This tax goes right into the pockets of the RICH who are not being TAXED!
The rich skim what they need from the work place
at Whole Sale prices & no sale tax
as they have a TAX # to use when they do buy it
if not right out declaring shrinkage of products for their own use &
A BIG tax credit on their tax return to boot!
Well, where did the head ingrate come from? Chicago, where the grave yard out votes the living.
I do believe we will get a cola in 2012. It is in the law and this is an election year. Congress will not cut the cola during an election year. However, they will look for ways to reduce it in subsequent years by changing the index the cola is based on. My guess is that it will be above 3% in 2012. Better enjoy it for it will probably be the last one for a while. If oil prices drop a lot during the next 4 months, it will be be reduced.
We as voters are responsible for the problems facing the country. We keep electing and re-electing the same idiots and never demand true accountability, much less honesty and integrity. I encourage each of you to send the following to your elected idiot and see the response:
Congressional Reform
1. Term Limits.
12 years only, one of the possible options below..
A. Two Six-year Senate terms
B. Six Two-year House terms
C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms
2. No Tenure / No Pension.
A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office.
3. Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security. All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately. All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
5. Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/12. The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen. Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves. Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career. The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
Sigh. So much misinformation continues.
1. Congress pays into SS – has since 1984.
2. Congressional retirement is funded the same way as Civil Service retirement – because it's the same system. It's a combination of employee/employer contributions + TSP (which, by the way, the active & reserve military can contribute to).
3. The same way their health care is the same as the Federal Civil Service, so they do participate in the same health care system as the American People.
4. They do abide by all laws they impose on the American people, with a few selected exclusions. The majority of those exclusions deal with issues raised by them being Congress – for example, by constitution they are exempt from laws for their actions on the floor of the House and Senate.
Being retired for 31 yrs, we finally get a break on SBP, and now these #$#@##$#%**$# Congressmen stay awake late at night trying to figure new ways to screw us. We all need to get their names down pat, and vote them out that is to include the Wama Obama, He has not done one thing, other than the Medical bill (Help?) which is screwed up also, because these A/H's in power tied everything but the kitchen sink to it, (to note, congress is exempted, they have too good of a deal, as it is) We need to form some type of coalition that vote as a block, and get these blood suckers out of office, and then make a law that Lawyers Cannot be Elected officials or be appointed, and only then can we start to get free from this type of governing. Because this is the main problem, they start out Lawyers, become prosecutors, then get into politics, become Judges or state legislators, then get on to Congress or the House Senate, and always make Laws that benefit only other Lawyers or themselves, and voila, there we sit. Screwed by the few, that hold power.
The "Raise " will be offset by
2012 Defense Act — Pay Increase, Changes to Special Pay and TRICARE
June 20, 2011 • Terry Howell
The Senate Armed Services Committee has completed their mark-up of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 (HR 1540). The committee approved the marked-up bill unanimously on Thursday, June 16, 2011. It now goes to the full Senate for consideration. The bill includes a 1.6 percent pay increase for all servicemembers, a change in special pay policy and increased TRICARE Prime enrollment fees for military retirees.
The following is a list of the elements that will impact military pay and benefits:
Authorizes a 1.6 percent across-the-board military pay raise for all members of the uniformed services, consistent with the President’s request.
Allows DoD to increase pharmacy copayment increases. (See current TRICARE Pharmacy Rates)
Allows DoD to increase military retiree TRICARE Prime enrollment fees in fiscal year 2012. In addition the Senate mark-up limits future annual increases of the fee to the amount equal to the percentage increase in retired pay (COLA) beginning on October 1, 2012. (See previous reports on the proposed 2012 TRICARE Prime enrollment rate)
Requires that individuals newly enrolled in the Uniformed Services Family Health Plan after September 30, 2011, transition to TRICARE for Life once they become Medicare-eligible due to age. (See previous reports on the plan to “Age-Out” future USFHP enrollees)
Changes the rules for hostile fire and imminent danger pay, prorating the $225 payments according to the number of days spent in a qualifying area rather than be paid on a monthly basis. (Currently HF/ID pay is paid-in-full regardless of the number of days spent in the qualifying area.)
Let your elected officials know how you feel about the 2012 NDAA.
Read more: http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2011/06/sen…
MilitaryAdvantage.Military.com
cONGRESSMEN GOT 10,000.00 AND 10,000.00 FOR THE Last 2 years we got not a thing higher bill with no cola we shuld be geeting 12%
Congress voted not to receive a pay raise the last two years.
Where exactly can I find that quote? Unless we collectively are willing to march on D.C. we all need to shut up and curl into a ball in the corner. We need to make a spectacle in D.C. and force the media to cover it!
Marching on DC is not the solution, voting Obama and Reid out of office will do the trick
If people want to know why we are becoming a nation of slaves, all they need to do, is look at the way political campaigns contributions are used to bribe political parties and politicians. Politicians send people to war, unconstitutionally and set up agencies to go around the Nation's Constitution; not to protect the nation, but to help the manipulators that bribe them. We need to wake up and tell the politicians, they can only use the funds provided by tax-payers for campaigns, and nothing else.
Well, according to recent changes….I think congress has figured out a way to grab any of our retired pay increases by raising our TriCare premiums equal to any COLA increase we might see. Therefor, I am sure that we will get a nice COLA increase because it will mean more money to TriCare and NO MONEY to us!
US NAVY RETIRED
Vote them all out of office and start new
We are in a mess….thanks to some leader in this country. Sad day ahead.
THEY WERE SOO QUICK TO BAIL OUT THE BANKS WTF WHAT ABOUT US SOME THING MUST B DONE
SEE YOUTUBE BOUT BOYSCOUTS BEING TRAINED TO DISARM DISGRUNTLED VET SMH SEND THE ACTIVE TO DIE KILL THE VET SMH GOT DOUBLE CROSSED
It is and has always been confusing.
I was working on my son's disability and my wife talked to the American
Legion and they got me as a Disabled Vet now.I receive $18 less than my
retired pay.
But it is suppose to be non-taxable.
This crazy world, Well I don't imagine I will be around to much longer
Why did you go to the American Legion? Didn't you ever hear of the Disabled American Veterans? TheD.A.V. is the best spokesperson for all disabled vets,
bar none!
I feeel sorry for the retirees, but how about us vets, we get nothing for our past service to this country, that's why so many are homeless. Just because we didn't spend twenty years or more in the military. we just don't count.
William, I strongly disagree with you. I am a 20 year female veteran who worked in a medical health field and I saw Vets with only 3 years or less get things free of charge, but let me go and get treatment on something that I had done while on active duty and they tell me they cannot help me.
I don't believe it! I don't know how or where they get their figures but we should hae had a increase 3 years ago. Why don't the politicians take a pay decrease, or an insurance premium increase, or stop giving money away to oil companies and give it to the active duty and retired?
GOP Senators from AZ and Kansas today introduced a bill that would reduce the COLA by 1% from whatever it is determined to be. So the Republicans already are cutting the already unfair COLA we get.
After one term in office our congress get their same pay for the rest of their lives. ($170,000/yr)
Yet they take from those who produce and give it to those who don't regardless of the ability of those to work. And the current socialist administration wants to give benefits to illegal immigrants including SS, medical and citizenship- why? To get the vote of all those on the dole and stay in power.
So those who earlier said we must vote them out next Nov are right on target; let us do it and pass the word as to what BHO and his bunch are up to.
I have always used tricare standard. It has worked well for me. After my hubby died I took out a tricare supplement and my Doctor accepts both. One time he stopped taking Tricare. I continued to go to him and then he started accepting it again.
Thank God for that.
MsT
A elcetion year coming you bet your sweet bottom who ever is in DC will back the Cola increase yet raise medicare
The President and Congress are between a rock and a hard place. They've been lying about inflation and CPI for so long that now "The Country" can't afford to pay a COLA. The current administration will find some way to say there is no inflation like they have done for the last 2 years. As the old cliche goes, "There is no such thing as inflation…Everything just costs more.
We need to get rid of both parties and elect someone (Independent, Libertarian, greenpeace) to make the changes that this country needs. Both the GOP & Dems had their shots MANY times and neither ONE can get it right! Never mind that the majority of these people elected into office are already in the 250K plus tax bracket (BREAKS!) and their interest lay in lobbyists, greedy corporations, pharmecutical companies, etc. IF we the people want to form a more perfect union then we have to VOTE another way and not only on the two party ticket. UNFORTUNATELY, too many Americans are not educated enough to realize that there are more parties on the ticket. And we know that these folks (Ron Paul) and others do not have the greenback to BUY them in offfice!! Off my soapbox…and spreading the word to educate people.
BLA,BAL,BLA,
When I was on my first enlistment & they wanted me to reenlist there were posters everwhere promising free health care for life to those whom did reenlist, that continued till I retired & suddenly the health care reverted to civilian health care providers & we had to pay a small amount for treatment, it is now stated we do not pay enough for care, ( where did my promised free treatment go ) ?
This is a question I am constantly asking. We signed a contract promising us these benefits if we retired with 20 years or more. How can our representatives just do this without any accountability. Oh! I forgot that quick … nobody is holding them accountable. I am sick and tired of paying all these co-payments to civilian doctors when I retired with 28 years of service. It's ridiculous!
I am not holding my breath…turning purple does not make me look good…..
Rob, you may be right….fighting to protect weasels like you is stupid as for the sons of ****es…… I will not claim you as my son.
I've said it once and I will say it again, why can't our elected officials take a pay cut. They have their own social security program apart from everyone else and they constantly give themselves raises. Why do the people who give their lives for this country have to suffer for the mismanagement of our elected officials.
GET THE WORD OUT TO ALL FRIENDS AND FAMILY OF ALL MILITARY PERSONNEL TO VOTE THESE CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS OUT, AND MOST IMPORTANT MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY WILL BE VOTED OUT, AND THEN DO IT. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT BELIEVERS. LETS GET RID OF THEM. PLEASE. GET THE WORD OUT DO NOT MESS WITH THE MILITARY OR YOU WILL PAY. THESE POLITICIANS HAVE SO MUCH MONEY THEY DON'T CARE, HOWEVER, THEY DO LIKE THE POWER THEY HAVE, LETS TAKE THE POWER AWAY, THATS HOW YOU HURT THEM. REMEMBER THIS THE WAY TO DESTROY A GROUP IS DISTRACT AND DIVIDE, WE HAVE TO GET OFF OF THIS DEMOCRAT, REPUBLICAN TRAIN IT IS GOING TO CRASH AND KILL US ALL.
As long as there is a Demorcratic and Republican Party in this country, the American veterans and American people will continue to be non-important. This country can not move forward when the concern is not about the people, but about how much Congress can pay themselves.
If we as a people do not get moving and stand up for what our forefathers believed in and fought for,we are going to be in deep—-!! How long are we going to sit by and let the so-called politicians keep duping us? They are consistant in voting themselves salary increases,top notch medical benefits both before and after retirement,and of course their excellent retirement benefits!!Their retirement pay is outrageous and the amount of time they sit in office to get it is equally outrageous!!
I'm sure that you all feel the way I do when I'm told the cost of living has not gone up but every one of my bills has.I'm no fool and I think their formula is ridiculous!! It's about time we wake up before we are not able !!
Ditto! Well said.
I am happy to see so many comments voicing change ( thats all Obama promised) his actually took place, the national debt was doubled, employment decreased, many companies were (*saved) bought out at the expense of tax payers so the factories could be relocated to Mexico & provide jobs there, the manufactured products can then be shipped to the US duty free (NAFTA)! We need real change ( abolish the federal reserve) that will free us of most existing debt, All money with the words rederal reserve would be the same as counterfit money ( worthless) . The actual US goverment can then print (real US money ). Toss out the present politicans & the sestem that put them there (federal reserve) that will be the (CHANGE) we need!!!!!
What you wish for, you get. Instead of complaining on this board, get out and vote for what truly benefits you, not what you have been told by those who have plenty of money to spend on media ads say is in your best. interest. Check out this website: http://www.whoserved.com/. Those who are the most hawkish are the ones who have never seen combat. Party is not the issue — doing what is best for our country is the issue.
A certian person who will go nameless, wouldn't stand a chance to get reelected with out the COLA next year and I am sure he knows it. On election day just remember the last 2 years.
I agree with most of you; I'll believe it when I see it. have not received a COLA the past two years but I did find out congress received a 3% increase in pay 2 years ago, don't know about last year. You'd think that the people in charge would be the first to give up a little, set a good example but I gues they believe their doodoo doesn't stink.
Is there a petition we can sign or start?
Do not waste your time on petitions , they are worthless unless actually signed by the parties whom are listed on it, the purpose of 99% of all petitions are to request money from those whom have thought they signed something that will influence congress or another body, all political appeals are for the purpose of rasing money! Never sign a worthless paper or donate money to it"s cause!
Seems the answer politicians have for solving our problems is on the backs of the middle class and nothing but tax breaks for their ultrarich buddies! Unlike Japan, Taiwan and many other countries who have Universal healthcare we will be forced to pay more to provide bigger portfolios to plunderers!
And that's the sad part. My healthcare has actually gotten worst, but I have to fork out more. Crazy
Grace, do not get involved in any petitions, they are 100% worthless , only petitions which have each & every one on the petitioners actual signatures is admissable in a court of law or the US congress, the only purpose of most potitions is to enlist individuals in a drive to raise funds by asking for donations of people whom have signed a petition which is not worth anything as it does not contain actual signatutes!
For those whom did not get NEVER SIGN a petition or donate to it's cause , there is no actual signing of the document , that is what makes it worthless, they only request you place your name on a list, this is worthless unless an actual signature is obtanied on the document!
Trying to compare Military pay to civilian is ashame, because civilian works in a strait hours ,and every dollars in that hour they earn they get pay for it. Also they pay time and half if they work overtime. They don't have the experience what the military have, because joining the military is not for everyone . It has to be a special person to get in and train to make it. Anyway Government pays civilians more than our soldier's pay, put it that way. Military works twelve strait hours with no overtime. Don't get me wrong in both professional jobs Military ,and Civilian are very different. Our soldiers are under pay , it will never be enough to pay them back for what they do to protect our country. Instead, we should compare the welfare to illegal aliens. Government should have an investigators in each States to find the welfare people to get a job so we can all pay tax together to make America a better place to live. Governments shouldn't mess with military too much. For what I know, I think it is illegal to break the contract with military retirement. From the day they join they have to have a contract to become a soldier ,and it come with the whole packets . They can't just come in and try to break the contract. This is not right for all American, and for our military. It's all about money, and Power to control our Freedom. Now, they spend lots of money for unnecessary things, and they hop around to cut everything so they can use your money and my money to pay for it . We are not so Dumb , but because you and I don't have Power.
I'd sure love to see jobs come back to "our country" the land I worked so hard to preserve. I was raised by immigrants, people who immigrated to the U.S. from Russia back in the late eighteen hundreds. They worked hard for their meagre pay but lived quite well from it. Now, me being a Vietnam Veteran, 1966-67 era, I believe that our elected officials should serve in the military as well, not laze about in Washington on their duffs, denying us veterans our benefits. I served proudly for 16 odd years, filed my claim for benefits and had to wait for 40 years to get them. I received a sufficient benefit and am totally disabled for life. Being totally disabled taught me a lesson, "Never believe your elected officials!" They tried their darndest to relieve me of my benefits, but, I persisted and won. Now that I'm 76 years old, I wonder how long I'll live to enjoy my benefits? p.s. I stay out of V.A. hospitals!
Politicians should be paid minimum salary and receive a commission when and only when they accomplish something beneficial for all! No exceptions!
When The bills come due and the money is short. They should remember we had a contract. If we did not honor our contract we would have been busted and jailed.
We need to tell them to honor our agreement before they pay all the other bills that are due. We can not put them in jail but we can bust them out of office.
I wrote and believe the below:
The Politicians Creed
The meek are not and will not inherit the earth for they are but lambs being led to the slaughter. Don’t forgive them, for they are but ignorant and unable to think for themselves. Yea, as I walk through the Valley of Plenty I will not share with my fellow man and shall not be called upon to answer for my transgressions. For I am the Power and Law before which the lesser must bow and offer obedience. Only I may rule.
I AM POLITIC!
Jim Putnam, MSgt, USAF, Ret.
Then carry you donkey tail over and fight and die for a country that don't give a rat's tail about you. Sounds like you are doing the whinning.
Rob, shut up ya POS…get off your uneducated a$$ and do something worthwhile with your life. You'd rather sit in your mom's basement on the computer and put down the very individuals that protect your right to act like a moron. We're sorry the best part of you was left on the car seat.
It is true. If the Senate approves the bill to increase Tri Care cost for retirees, it will take our retirement check in a few years. These Congressional SOB's are taking our tax money in pay and then get a pay check for life even after one term. They don't care. We will never see a change in term limits or change in pay checks for life because they will not vote themselves out of this money or term limits. They laugh all the way to the bank while we aren't receiving COLA raises. This country has gone crazy. My nephew left the service because he saw the way it would be for him if he stayed in. The government has not and will not honor those who gave their country all the best years of their lives. Shame on the Congress and Senate if you vote to pass this bill. We will remember you when it comes election time.
Hang in there!!
God Bless American and our servicemen and women. I agree with what has been said but also that we need to secure our borders and we need to get rid of the illegals. No one seems to understand what ILLEGAL means. All the money that is spent on them, which they are not entitled to should be for our children, military and seniors. Why health care can not be provided for all Americans, I do not understand. Europe and other countries have health care for their people and all they come up with are excuses. Excuses all across the board. Robin Williams has the best ideas – Robin, run for President! We need someone who really cares about USA and it's people for a change. Amen !
In life the only thing is sure is death…U Can't depend on this United States to come to the rescure of the Veteran
you sound like a politican yourself ,bet you never served a day doing anything to protect others
I agree that we need a COLA or us retirees but since the current administration took office we have been overlooked. Congress has always been about how to line their pockeys with our money. Here is what I would like to see happen. A repeat of the 1920's march on DC by WWI veterans. If there was a million man march on DC then why don't we have a Million Veteran March on DC on Veteran's Day. Let Congress see that we will are united and tired of being forgotten by "our leaders".
I see all the notes by verterans that are angry about politicians and what this administration has not done for us but they are still being re-elected or elected each year. I see the veteran organizations backing these politicians posing for pictures knowing all along that out benefits are being slashed. May be we all need to start get rid of not only these politicians but also the top veteran organization leaders that support them each year. Let us take back what we have served for OUR COUNTRY and RIGHTS.
I'm pretty P'ed over these politicians attacking the military & veterans benefits again!!! You never hear of them cutting back on their (politicians) pay & benefits ever. Lord heaven forbid that, they couldn't make ends meet. Last time I knew, they were public servants to the people, they want to be there to represent you, THE PEOPLE!, not themselves!! So where do we get a say in this matter?? I don't think they are listening at all, there must be someway to protest this bill. When was the last time we the people had a say over their (politicians) pay raise or COLA's— lets see??? NEVER!!!….But yet they control ours, and we have no say still. All a politician has to do is serve one term & they get a retirement package & medical package for the rest of his life. This this sound FAIR??? I say let the politicians set the example first before hitting us up first– see how they like it!!
Things will get better and better as we get nearer and nearer to election day for the election of a president..
From the looks of things here we of the 'X'military and all of the Retired Military should rise up and start something NEW. Like vote out all of these Politicals that have and are robbing America along with the Sitting President. Vote in some business minded from the TOP down that understand how to run thingys to keep us up and running. Kick out all illegals so there will be jobs for those that need them and ARE Americans legally.
I am not retured military but did serve in the Navy. Am retired Civil Service from Kelly, A.F.B. Texas before its closure.
I STRONGLY AGREE WITH MOST OF WHAT IS BEING SAID ABOVE: ALL i WANT TO SAY IS ; REMEMBER ALL THIS WHEN NOVEMBER COME.
Insanity. Definition: Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.
As long as Democrats OR Republicans are voted into office, NOTHING will change. It's their little club and as long as it stays that way, they don't have to answer up to the real problems/questions of the day.
The only way out of this farce is to start voting in (or at least "for")Independents, or, my personal preference, Libertarians. Once we get a "non"- professional politician base forming, the Dems and Reps will at least be accountable to folks who are "really" challenging the staus-quo.
If you find yourself voting out of fear, as in: "Well, I don't like McCain, but I'm terrified by Obama!", (or the reverse) you will always be trapped into voting Republican or Democrat – and THAT preserves their little club. Don't be naive. Next election vote for someone that you WANT. As soon as enough of us wake up to the fact that they're playing us for fools, and start voting with confidence instead, they'll start to fall – and fast.
you are so right, but unfortunately a lot of people are not paying attention! everything the obama crew has done is job killing, inflation fueling, energy blocking, and money wasting! God help us if he gets another term!
Rob, what YOU see is former soldiers crying and it makes you sad. It makes me sad that you are so shallow and unsympathetic to the very people that give you your freedom. Why didn't you serve? Could you not pass the piss test cuz all you do is sit in your mommy's basement and get high? The veterans here are not whining. They are the only people that signed a contract agreeing that they will fight for our country risking losing their life, their limbs, or even minds to guarantee the freedom of the people of our country…even you, you liberal shitbird. Did you know that most of the homeless people in America are veterans? So don't give us that point that some people don't have a penny to their name, because you're probably talking about a veteran and didn't even know it. Be thankful that there are still men and women that are out there protecting your dumb ass. Thank you. Retired Sergeant, U.S.M.C.
When I retired several years ago from the army, during our outbrief they showed us a pay scale in which each year our pay would increase according to the cost of living. Well since Obamy took office my pay has gone down due to more taken out in taxes. i agree to the tax issue. My state does not tax my pension. The federal government should not either. I am a proud Legionaire and support many programs. Perhaps it is time for a retired military member to be our president!
I'm the wife of a disabled Veteran, who sustained a brain injury, and has seizures. I didn't serve in the Armed Forces, but I'm serving now, by sacrificing my own career to provide his 24/7 care. The only pay the govt. provides me for this service is my Tricare eligibility. We struggle to make ends meet on his disability pay. I am proud of my husband's service and sacrifice. I challenge any Senator or Congressperson to trade income and benefits with us for just one month. As the old saying goes 'walk a mile in my shoes.' Only then, would they be qualified to make their decisions on our behalf. God bless America, and all her troops, active, retired, and disabled.
To all military Veterans and active duty personnel please vote out all elected officials in Congress with more then 10 years inl office.
I believe in a two-term limit rule. One term in office and one term in prison
I wish I could say that voting alon works, but it doesn't. Look at all of the voter fraud by ACORN (people voting mutiple times for Obama) and nothing was done about it.
I'm retired military and I'm middle class. Most people here are blasting Obama and the Democrats. It's not just the retired military that's getting targeted, It is ALL MIDDLE CLASS. HERE IN OHIO, WE ARE FINDING OJT. IT IS THE REPUIBLICAN PARTING DOING THIS STARTING WITH RONALD REAGAN. The trickle down don't work. The unions, the school teachers, the fireman, and police. Then it really took of wtrh the Bush adminstration. Look at the big tax cuts for the rich and the doubling of the debt.. Everything that is under attack isx middle class. SS, Medoicare, . middle class jobs sent overfseas with tax breaks, Any time that Democrats tries tio pass anything, repus wont let it go thru unless their is a greater benefit for the rich. Republicans do this by ptting middle income agaonmst each other such as private employees against public employees, SS recepents any future SS recepients. So we need to stand up as one and that is as MIODDLE CLASS. LOOK AT ANY THING THAT BENEFITS MIDDLE CLASS AND SEE WHO IT BENEFITS. BY THE WAY IT HAS WORKED PRETTY WELL FOR THE REBULICANS. FROM 2000 TO 2008, THE WEALTH HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED 17% FREOM THE MIDDLE CLASS TO THE WEALTHY, THE REPUIBLICAN PARTY IS OUR ENEMY.
L.
Moron….
I THINK THAT IF YOU DID HALF ACTIVE DUTY AND HALF RESERVIST YOU SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO RECEIVE YOUR RETIREMENT PAY ALSO WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HIGH YEAR TENURE TO MESS UP THERE RETIREMENT
it is not the ,you will ony see your retirement pay, COLA we used to get a 1 or 2 percent increase in retired pay at the begining of the new year,haven't seen one in 2 years and don't plan on seeing one ever again
1. Congress has voted to NOT accept a pay raise the last 2 years.
2. Congress already pays into SS & Health Care, and is under the Affordable Health Care Act. They are civil servants as far as health care and retiree benefits go, and have been since 1984.
As others have stated, the tricare increase is the same PERCENTAGE as COLA – not the same Dollars.
Example: COLA is 3.0 %
Tricare ($500/year) increases by 3% or $15
Retired pay ($1500, for example) increases by 3% or $45.
Net increase in retired pay after Tricare COLA is $30.
well now when i go to the va in fl i got to pay $1500 the the doctor that i see and if i need to see a sp it will cost me $50.00 that what iget for 26 years in the army. i feel that they should sevice 20 yrs before they retire.
What would the govt do if everyone who is due to leave active duty DID get out and didn't re-up? Well, the govt would be forced to either stop some of these needless wars that contribute so significantly to our budget crisis or start up the draft again – which I think NEEDS to be re-started – just like that one earlier member said, there are NO members of congress (that I know of) except John McCain who is a veteran. Maybe we should demand that no one can even run for Congress unless they are a veteran.
A negative point about term limits is they will have to line their pockets quicker!
Spending cut I hope retires are protected. We need to elaimate welfare to undocumented aliens.
IT'S TIME FOR A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST GOVERNMENT TO PROTECT VETS.
ITS TIME TO DUE AWAY FREE TRADE. TO PROTECT THE US SOLVENT NATION..
here we go hit the mil. ret. they just dont care about mil. or serions.
My husband was in the miltary for 20 year's 3month's he was gone six month's at a time he miss alot of our daugther life our daugther got kill in a car wreck 3 mile's from home so now since he didnt get to see her grow into a beautiful young lady the way we had always plan . The goverment what do they do they expect a retire person to live on a very small retirement check in which frigging tax's has to come out of we still have to pay a copayment at the doctor office but yet all the promise's that was made when he enlist all they did was lie we have adopted a child since our our daugther got kill but think about this it coming up time for another election right why should we as american's belive anything they tell us give us a pay raise dont tax the retiree's we did our time . On top of everything else my husband cant work nomore so living on a very small income is hard i send this and i really wanted to vent cause the retiree's have been left out THANK'S TO ALL THAT DO SUPPORT MILTARY RETIREE'S
AND BRING OUR PEOPLE HOME LET THEM PROTECT OUR COUNTRY.
Elections are coming. IT'S TIME TO VOTE ALL OF THEM OUT.
They are trying to balance to budet on the backs of everyone. Social Security,Medicare, Military but they don't say anything about they retirement ,health benfits and other bennies.
While the Republicans are cutting taxes lets make Military Retirement Tax Free. We earned it. The Wall Street executives did not. These Corporations would sell the Country down the river for a profit. It's time we support the people that support and serve the United States of America. Don't give us a COLA increase just remove our taxes.
STOP THE WARS. We are sending our children to Afghanistan to fight for Corporate America. Corporate America needs a government that they can bribe so that they can extract that Countries natural resources. Lithium being one of the Prime materials. Largest supplies in the World. There are over 9 million Military Contractors in America feeding at the trough of the Military Industrial Complex. Don't be fooled into thinking that our Brave Soldiers are fighting for truth, justice and the American Way. In Reality; they are fighting for Corporate America and Corporate Greed.
as a vet i say bring home all ,i repeat all ,our service people home from around the world and protect our borders. let those forweign countries deal with there own proplems.
I also agree. I use to counsel young men and women while on active duty on whether they should stay in or get out. I use to advise them to stay in and earn a 20 year retirement check. NOW, I can no longer say that, when most of their career has been at war. Every deployment in a hostile area, reduces their chances of coming back in one piece or even alive. Not to mention fighting with the VA everyday in keeping their promise of required medical care. Now they want to charge them. Even the ones coming back going through rehab are being billed for their medical rehab. Its a damn sad day in our country when a young man has to have a fund raising to help pay his medical bills for injuries while serving his country.
i agree