Over the last two years military retirees and VA compensation recipients have complained about the lack of a cost-of-living adjustment to their pay. As reported here, the issue was not political or even deficit reduction; it was due solely to the fact that COLA is based on inflation as determined by the previous year’s Consumer Price Index.
But, that may all soon change – right when retirees are looking forward to getting a COLA for the first-time since 2009.
In an effort to reduce government expenses, the Senate is now considering changing the rules for how COLA is determined. The proposed changes will likely result in reducing the COLA in 2012 by up to .3 percent.
Tom Philpott reports that the new basis for COLA would be the Chain Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (or C-CPI-U). Adopting the Chain CPI to adjust entitlements has been recommended by every group looking for ways to address the federal debt crisis.
It appears that after two years of getting a break from paying a COLA, the Federal Government is now looking to change the rules just as the COLA and inflation are about shoot upwards.
Read Tom Philpott’s full article, ‘ Debt Plan Would Tamp Down COLA.’
Now they are going to try and tell us how to eat and shop. They really us retirees and veterans.
as I read it they will next want to tell you what they want you to wear for undies.
I severed from '68-'72 with the U.S.C.G. though I didn't get shot at. Today I am so grateful for the men that serve I haven't the words to say it. When I think about the pols that want to cut their benefits I want to do a slow burn remember them and work like h___ to vote them out. They vote and send our people to places they keep their own kids out of……… makes me sick.
If this happens then we should vote ALL, from the very top on down, out of office during each election until they are all out on the street. Then find out what company they will work for and boycott each company and let them and their families know how it feels to be considered useless after serving this country. Let them live on their pension and what they have in savings with nothing more coming to support their families unless their wifes want get out and get a job, like we are having to do to make ends meet.
CHOOSE ME
Man if I could live on their pension and savings.I worked and saved and served OUR COUNTRY .WHAT HAVE THEY DONE FOR OUR COUNTRY?????
Flight eng. 26 years
Their pension is 100% of their pay, so that isn't going to hurt them.
No, it's not. Research
The really sad thing is that even if we vote every worthless politician out of office in the next 4 years, they will all still have a PENSION FOR LIFE!!!!! It is amazing and a shame that none of the budget reduction talks ever discuss a reduction in the incredulous health and pension plans that our esteemed Representatives and Senators enjoy!
No they won’t. They are under FERS, and don’t get their pension until they are 62. In addition, by law they are capped at 80% ( which would require serving for 47 years). Oh, and their retired pay is adjusted by the same COLA.
Would like to see the Congressman/woman and Senators live on $1700 a month and have to pay taxes on that too!
Of course they will reduce or eliminate any COLAS, hell they already have theirs (Cola) don't they????? Same old crap, we get ours, and the rest can swing in the winds.
i think this is a bunch of bs. here's my idea if u want 2 do the deal on the debt then take away welfare, independence cards, stop paying 4 babies having babies, there r a lot of monies going out 2 programs that should b cut, but not va comp and disablity pay or cola or any pay having 2 do with the military at all. wheather u r in r retired. thank u for listening
Yeah, If they had it their way, they would freeze dry us, so they didn't have to pay for our upkeep, they could just drop us in warm water when they need us. Then we should just die when we get too old to serve….
The Congress should have the same retirement plan that the military has. You have to spend 20 yearsto qualify, not like Congress does. Let them have the same healthcare plan as medicare. Make them work like the military and be on duty year round. They need to look in the mirror and evaluate their benefits compared to military retirees and civil servant retirees.
i gave the best years of my life serving my country 52-82 USAF. AND I WOULD DUE IT AGAIN IN A HEART BEAT. SO YOU ELECTED FOLKS WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE UP? EXCEPT LIP SERVICE
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Too bad we can't all file for overtime for all of the 16 – 20 hour days we put in and were told that we are hired for 24/7 and the same salary with no overtime or comp time. Bet they have their aides and othe office flunkies who ride their coatails getting all of the perks.
I know, we are lucky, free parking.
Nope next is to force us retired to buy health care and shut down our VA hospitals…food is next…..should have been a congressman 4 or 6 good for life!!!
it appears to me when they give us directions on how to eat and shopt, they should consider stopping all foreign aid to irag and afghan. just might help the vets. in face i think all aid to opec should be stopped , why give them to raise our ga
s prices
Why don't they cut all foreign aid, pay our people first!
Agreed!
Your right we have giving Pakistan over 27 BILLION dollars to help fight terrorism and they not only stab us in the back,but wont allow us to audit how it is being spent.I guess we can thank our elected politicians for that and that is only a start of how money is wasted.I guess its a lot easier to pick on us old people who love and fought for this country.
You will be glad to know that there is a bill to cut aide to Pakistan in the House right now…hopefully it will pass, but then it goes to the Senate who has killed anything that has been passed by the House that would be helpful to America.
why cant you stop rebuilding places that has been destroyed by war over seas and use that money to feed, clothe, and house those in the you actually live in the USA. why cant you keep our nose out of other countries buisnesses. if they need help they will always ask..
Because entitlements are the largest part of the budget. Foreign aid is a very small part of the pie
Think again! They send over 600 billion in foreign aid to countries that don't even like us every year. If they would quit sending our money to all of these countries they wouldn't have to worry about making any cuts to social securty or military pay.
Where do you get that number from? From the OMB, the total foreign aid budget for FY2012 is $59.9 billion – 1/10 what you cite.
AMEN!
They spent around 127 billion to rebuild muslim mosques in foreign countries…how about cutting that expense? How about cutting the money we are GIVING to Russia, China, Brazil, and a couple of other RICH countries…I guess so we can borrow our own money from them…is this not crazy? Notice, it is the Senate with these ideas…the Senate is still governed by the progressive liberal Democrats, so remember that when you vote next year.
Yes I will remember when i vote next year
I agree with Wayne Kryszewski . They should consider all the people who fought and serve this country
You get my VOTE Wayne I am 100% with you! And while we are at it let's also take away all welfare benefits for illegals!
If we really knew who benefits the most from that foreign aid money you would not have to ask that question.
we've got to take care of all of our illegals regaedless who they have to rob to pay them.
With Obama-anomics how long before we are third world nation living hand to mouth.
Please lets stay focussed not becoming divided with blaming one person, group or thing. LETS BLAME the entire CONGRESS!
I guess we are going to blame everything on Obama, but it’s not him. Its the Capalizitic FAT RAT; The HOUSE, The Senate,and Congress. I am a Vet. and I think what our so call country gives us is not enough for what we have done. You don’t need us now, but the time will come when you will. Kept mistreating us and the calls maybe un-answered.
Get the money from the ones you saved ; BANKS, AUTO INDUSTRY, SAVINGS&LOANS, and don’t forget CONGRESS$$$$$$$$.
Why don't they cut their pay? They are not worth the pay they get. Check their retirement benefits. (Congress,I mean)
Please do. It's called Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). Popular belief is reps. Get full retirement after serving only fours years. Not so. Please do read, it is still amazing how much they get and give so little in return.
U S Foreign Aid to those that hate us:
Egypt, for example, after voting 79% of the time against the United States,
Still receives $2 billion annually in US Foreign Aid.
Jordan votes 71% against the United States
And receives $192,814,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.
Pakistan votes 75% against the United States
Receives $6,721,000,000 annually in US Foreign Aid.
India votes 81% against the United States
Receives $143,699,000 annually.
I agree…the good ole USofA should come first in my opinion.
Why don't they cut subsides to oil companies. With the price of gas, they get a raise every minute of every day.
In some cases they pay billions to the same countries we fought against.
I'm with you. This is no way to treat those of us who served with honor…..No honor among the Congress, only smoke and mirrors. Veronica Stephens
I have to agree with cuting the millions that we give away each year. The aid goes to everyone except the one who really need it. The military and senior citizens almost always are the first place they look at. Keep our tax dollars at home. If we have to tighten our belts, I think the rest of the world should start taking care of there own.
Gary said that…
I agree, it seems like we fight for these countries and when we come home after fending for other, we can't find jobs and then the people that decide for us do not want to at least give us support money to get on our feet, but they gave Veit Nam refugees money to get started here in our home. I think we deserve a cola just for serving our country.
Granger 1st ID
stop paying other countries for their deffecets. think of home before you cross any borders.
they never cut foreign aid and they make sure they get a pay raise every year
Of course they make sure they get their pay raise rather we do or not.
Jim, I told the rep's fromNY, how they could fix the budget and not harm the working class or veterans. They weren't very happy with me. They need to take a pay cut ,because they aren't representing me, while they live high of the hog. Nothing our government does help the veterans at all. All countries that we do business with but won't buy our products should not be allowed to sell thing here. All companies that have went foreign places for cheap labor should be fined and they can't pass any of this on to the people. Dave
I thought something like this would happen when I read about a month ago that the COLA would be large this December because of inflation. They are also talking about "adjusting" the COLA formula downwards. This gang of 6 needs to be retired.
They have to vote no inorder not to receive their 18% congressional pay raise…They generally are absent so that it will happen without vote.
Mike that way they can say I did not vote for the raise double talk as usual. My moto for next election in they are in vote them out reguardless of political party then bingo we have term limits.
Jim, there is no voting for congress and the senate to give themselves a pay raise. A few years ago they were catching hell for always giving themselves a raise so they changed it so that they automatically get their raise UNLESS they vote not to. I'd bet you a $1 to a whole in a donut that they'll never vote for that.
They are crooks and actually believe that they have earned a pay raise while the rest of the country takes it in the shorts. Even the congressman who thinks Guam is going to tip over feels that, based on his intelligence, he should be paid more.
Writing here does no good Jim. Write to your congressmen and senators. Tell them that you are fed up with their lack of intelligence. Then vote them out of office.
If only Congress and The Senate would lead by example and take a 3.5% pay cut and pay the cost of their airlines ticket when they travel, then perhaps they would be more mindful of take-take-take from the retirees and the Veterans. We were promised free medical care for the rest of our life when we joined the military…not free anymore (free is not co-pay) as Congress and our Senators have succeeded in cutting us off .
hate to tell you this but free medical for life was just something they used for recruiting and retention purposes. There isn't anything in writing to legally give us these benefits. It is all word of mouth. Google Military Healthcare: The issue of Promised Benefits. You will find that whatever the recruiter or anyone else for that matter can offer you whatever you want just to get you in or to re-enlist, knowing that they can do it legally and as retirees, haven't a leg to stand on. No where in the documents you sign does it say you get free medical for life after serving 20.
Foreign aid needs to be cut but it isn't even pennies. Maybe something to complain about but it's of little real substance as is Obama fixation on corporate jet owners and the tax break they get in addressing the huge budgetproblems facing the country,
This is very true, they never want to pay the people who need it.
The they, I assume, is Congress, correct. If so they don't get a raise every year. Congress can't benefit from any raise they legislate until after the next election for their seat. That means a raise voted this year is not effective on any members of the house, or any Senate seat running this year, until after the 2012 election. Were they to vote a raise in 2012 none of the Senators elected that year could get it until after the 2018 election. The House would get it after the 2014 election. (See the US Constitution for all the details on this subject.)
This is just plain sickening, ever since this guy has been office !
WHOA…. Uh what does this guy being in office have to do with anything? If I can recall THE OTHER GUY came into office with a SURPLUS and thats not THIS GUYS fault… is it?
How about President obamanation and Sec, working age retirees should pay more, gates, cutting $400 milliion off the backs of active and retirees…get a clue, the guy is a disaster!
google McCain and Tricare, he is a Republican and a Vet and he doesn't give a hoot about fellow retirees…he wants them out of Tricare completely.
You're right. even though the repubs. are seeking ways to compensate less this guy has awarded us veterans more. I don't understand how middleclass or not even allow themselves to vote for these extreme rightys.
Read the story, it says the Senate, NOT the President!
THE PRESIDENT IS JUST AS GUILTY AS THE REST. HE IS PART OF THE PROBLEM VOTE HIM OUT!
Another IDIOT wanting to blame the President for everything. The people in Congress are doing this. But you can bet they want take a pay cut or give up there benefits.
Another IDIOT BACKING THIS IDIOT,NO PAY RAISE IN TWO YEARS WAKE UP.
The president DOES NOT make these decisions. In case you are not aware, he has the House and the Senate that can either keep him in line or continue to be part of the problem. President Obama did NOT initiate the problems we have today. WHO put us into the war in Iraq? We were in fiscal trouble before he took office. Take Social Security for instance, the people in Washington were re allocating the money put into it by hard working people for the purpose of having something to live off in retirement. In effect they were stealing from hard working Americans and using the money for what they shouldn't have. This was done way before President Obama even thought about the presidency. I think we have to stop complaining and get on the phone or sit down and write our representatives in Washington. Think about it. How would YOU help solve the crises?
Mary, I think maybe your name may really be Michelle.
Thank you Mary. Well said.
Why blame it on this guy??? Wher were you when BUSH startedbthis mess???
THE DEMS STARTED THIS NOT BUSH. HE JUST WAS SLEEPING TOWARDS THE END OF HIS TERM.
If those in Congress had increases in their pay stopped for 3 years it would be different!!!! Congress is the one that has to pass the bill not the President!!!! This is what the Tea party meant by less government…."no more taxes or revenues, no future pay raises and then no pay due". that's the thanks we get for serving!
This is not Obama who want to cut our COLA. It's the Republicans. You need to keep up with the time and read and list to the news more often. The Republicans don't give a Rats A___ about our retirement, COLA or our Social Security. They only care about giving tax breaks to thr Wealth because they are in that category.
I AGREE!!!! tHE REPUBLICANS BELIEVE IN GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE ELITE!!!!!
What about the group of 6? They consist of 3 dem's and 3 rep's. They are the ones resonsible for suggesting where the cuts should come from. Its not one particular parties fault. They dont represent the people, instead they represent their best interest. We the people are giving them the power so why dont we take away the power. They should need the popular vote in order to get a pay raise. So far they wouldnt get squat as long as the U.S. is such a deplorable condition.
Depends on the news you listen too. The news media has their biases and promote their ideas..for whatever side. Being a disabled vet for over 40 yrs I have to relatte tto my own experiences, My best pay raises and benefits have come under a Republican administration, So I cannot agree with you on this. Look at the record …balncing budgets as President Clinton did came at the expense of the military, vets and the intelligence system i this country. The bottom linr is that politicians and news medias say what you want to hear it is up to us to look at the real record of those we elect. It is all public record. If we are to lazy or cant get off faacebook long enough to investigate then we deserve what we get. AS for some who claim it is the color of his skin why we opposed President Obama ….not for me . The man just did not have the experiience plain and simple and we are seeing the results today.
I agree that Sparky1833 needs to be better informed and stop making wild senseless allegations. An informed voter is a politician's worst nightmare!!!
This guy is the president of the United States. He is not the reason why we are losing ouor benefits. You had better look to the rich Republicans who want to break the backs of the middle class.This guy as you refer to is President Barack Obama. Show some respect to the man who holds this office.
Lady Dee
Thank you Ann
For Ann Davis:
You must be new. He requires no respect. He is not an American
citizen, nor does he plead allegiance to our country and to our flag
as noted by his prior actions, if you follow. His only allegiance is to
himself. By-the-way, ask him to show you his original birth certificate,
the one that requires forensic proof, that it is authentic. Ask him about
his associations with Communists such William Ayers and how
Obama, as a Communist Organizer (community agitator), preached
the ideology of Saul Alinsky, another known Communist, to his
charges. There are many things that you do not know about your hero,
the one that calls himself the Messiah. He will never be re-elected
in 2012, thank goodness. Sorry to bust your bubble!!!!
You are really out of touch. He already showed his birth certificate. Why wasn't all this hell raised when Reagan and Bush wanted to raise the debt ceiling. In this country there are a lot of good black,white, red,green,etc people, but a lot of what is being said and done to our president is pure racsim because his is black , period.
You need to grow up and get your head out of the sand!! He was voted into office by the people of the United States and he does deserve respect as the President of these United States!! I suggest you go to another country and live and you may be much happier. People like you have no business calling yourselves Americans, you disgust ME and many others as well!! I hate to BUST your bubble sir but all of the above has been cleared up and it only continues to be brought up by people who refuse to believe that HE is an American and cannot stand the thought that it is true!!!
Dennis, are you a Rush and Beck follower?
Enough about the birth certificate. Read the Constitution, its amendments, etc. By definition,President Obama is a U.S. citizen by birth, as is John McCain, who was born in the Panama Canal, who's presidential platform included his POW experiences and homecoming film, who is doing his best to give retirees the royal shaft by taking TRICARE away from us.
Through all this not one person questioned McCain's birth certificate. Why not? Maybe people assumed he was a U.S. Citizen, not knowing his origin of birth. Learn the process of application.
As for respect, we may not agree with his politics, but he is the Commander in Chief, period.
Um…not the Presidents fault! It's the state of the economy and the Republican party refusing to play fair!
You don't understand LeaderShip, I was rersponsible for everything that happened on my watch. The good and the bad. That's the problem, We don't have leader's any more just noodle backs. And peoiple that don't have a clue of what the Federal Government suppose to take care of.
ever since this guy has been in office…wrong…its ever since this guy has been in office and the guy before him…don't get stuck on party …just on the facts.."Those guys" only take care of veterans when the pressure or outcry demands it…example agent orange case settled…30 years after the facts.. and they are still stalling…they agreed starting in 2004 ..anyone the put out of service for PTSD they would give 50%…courts found out they were not doing it in 2008…still have not paid those guys they screwed over.."those guys" change but the treatment of us who served does not.
This guy is trying to clean-up the mess he was given, he is working with what Bush left him.
Not hardly. He has no experience in anything, therefore, how can
even know where to begin to clean-up George Bush's supposed
messes? Obama is just a stuffed-shirt, whom has no ideas of his
own, and therefore, in 2012, he will be removed from office by the
smart voters (this time) in the U.S. Four more years of Obama,
would be a living nightmare, because similar to the Middle East,
they also do not know how to maintain a democracy, if you follow.
He has a name: he is a Muslim.
Dude, wake up. You are only repeating the propaganda BS you've heard on right wing news. Think for yourself. For instance, you say he has no experience in anything. Remember G.W.? I do. had no congress or senate experience. He did have experience in all the things daddy Bush bailed him out of. Like running a few businesses into the ground. Kinda like he did with our Country.Talk about a nightmare The blundering idiot even had shoes thrown at him.The height of insult!! The fact is Republican party favors the rich business owner. The Democratic party favors the middle class worker. To fit into the 1st category you will need over $500 mil. It always amazes me how they have led you to believe you are one of them..
Worshiping Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck is worse!
Stop being fouled this has been going on for decades — the President inherited all this crap–you all kill me with the stupid blames–get a clue the Bushes created this and are now on the ranch living it up–please
This guy that is in office didn't cause ths problem, actualy it was do to the economy. So before you start to blame some one you need to stop and think.
Our goverment now see's money to fight wars are more important than taking care of those who have served already??? I now want to know how much will be cut off from "Afgan" war? Am i missing something??? GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!! AND ALL WHO HAVE SERVED TO KEEP OUR cOUNTRY sAFE!!!!!!
The president Staff all received 8 to 19 % raises recently. Now they want to cut what little COLA we might see. This is getting out of hand the government forgets DAILY what the men and women sacriface for the FREEDOM OF OUR COUNTRY
Yes i agree with Joseph Diggs .it's pitiful to go to the V A and see the guys who served and see what kind of shape some of these guys are in and they want to take that way from them
People realize that the war funding is not a planned expenditure. It is a supplement to the DOD budget. They need to bring the troops back from overseas close every base we have and bring those solders, sailors, Marines, and airforce personnel back to the US. This alone would save billions. Stop building ships and carriers that cost billions of dollars.
This also would help. I have already told all of my 4 sons that the military is not what they want to do. Flipping hamburgers is looking better every day for them.
That’s unbelievable. In now days, everywhere you go, Retired Military and disable veterans are losing more and more benefits. It feels that the government day by day is forgotten about us who served. Some of us served for over 24 years and we gave are youth for this nation and that is what we are getting back "Nothing". Congress should be a shame for what is going on with the Retirees and Disable Veterans; they will not raise our retirement pay but they can get a big pay raise every year.
They need to make Bush give us our money, he started the war.
Our government sees foreign aid and welfare as more important than those who have served.
So $3 out of every $1000 they got? Not saying this is ok, should be going the other way but honestly if we are worried about benefits for retired people this is pretty low on the list.
Agree, for my $5000/yr VA disability pay with a 2% COLA that seems to be 30 cents/yr less.
How in the hell are you getting $5000 in VA disability? I sure hope you are being sarcastic.
That is not a lot. I get 6400 as disabled. 40%=541per month.
I'd like to know too since 100% disability chart say's $2900max. a mo.
The post said "per year"
Isn't 3% more like $3 a hundred ?
it said .3% now 3%
The current COLA is based heavily on the housing market, which many experts claim has yet to hit bottom & may drop by about another 25%. With that in mind, the new formula may not look so bad. It could be a wash. We're only talking about 3 tenths of 1% anyway. Veterans & retirees historicaly get screwed when the economy turns bad. It also happens to mental health funding. How's this for a solution – Congressional pay raises same as those on Social Security?
Several years back congress passed a law that they would get an automatic pay raise each year unless they voted NOT to get it. They have not done so since. They also have it set that no matter who does not get paid they will no matter what. Most of those in congress are millinaire anyway and don't need the money, how about not paying them at all, then just see how many of them quit.
The formula for COLA does not include Food or Utilities, the two things that have increased the most in the last three years. These are the major portion of the household budget.
Actually, if you go to the BoL website, you’ll find that the CPI-W (what has been the measure of inflation for COLA since the 1970′s law established automatic indexing), it included food, housing & utilities. The main reason for the lack of a COLA the last 2 years was the spike in energy prices in Sep 2008, resulting in a 5.8% COLA for 2009. Since then, CPI-W has been below the Sep 2008 rate in Sep 2009 and Sep 2010 (by law, what matters is the level in Sep of each year).
The funny thing is:
Just because my house dropped in value, my mortgage company still wants the full purchase amount….go figure ;-)
I agree, two years without a military cola and now this, this is not right. I bet you these so called caring politicians won't lose or even get their benifits reduced. I myself with 20 years, like other military retirees are disgusted how they are treating the military though out these bad times.
I concur, if congress takes the same standard of their pay raises that is tied to the military retirees and social security then I can live with that. Why do they deserve a separate from all cuts retirement package?
None of us will live long enough to see THAT happen.
Hoorah for you chuck. one way to solve the debt crises is to cut congressional pay, allowances, benefits and retirement before anyone else or company is cut. I'm pretty sure they would find a way to at least talk to each other under that threat.
ZERO FM ZERO is???…point 3 pct of 1% is WHAT?????? I'm no math wizard by any means but "DAMN"!!! a 22 yr retired E-7 gets 1400$ direct deposited in his/her acct! not to include SBP/and other GOVT "withdrawls". I'll take a C-gress salary into my savings acct just once!! Would that make a diff in any vets outlook??? IS MATH not req'd to b in GOVT??, regardless of their ed-dumacation!!! Chuck, I totally agree with you! Pay for the "PLAYERS WHO PLAYED", not for those who "played" in make believe!!! NEV
Amen!!!! I think they should also have the same insurance options that the rest of American's have to klive with. No more free ride. Maybe that is the way we can get rid of the career politicians.
What a Military Retiree gets in one year on a cola raise would be less that one month raise for someone in congress
i think it is time to show the dirt bags that we are not to take it anymore. if the think their going to give themselves a raise and not the little people, can you say there be war at the home front.
You dont see them cutting their salaries, benefits do you? Must be nice to be lords and masters. Hey dont give me a raise. I might qualify for welfare and get my money back
Actually I don't think it would equal even a days pay for a congressman.
Yes, they make sure they get their raise whether anyone else does or not. Let them suffer for awhile and see how the other people suffer.
Congress raises there own pay when ever they want to. It's not a 2.4% raise but $1000.00's of dollars. They no medical co-pays such as what military retirees do. They contribute absolutley nothing.
Wrong Gary. Though they are sitting high on the hog, rules have changed, times have changed, check out Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). They don't raise their own pay whenever they want. It is automatic every year unless they vote not to take it, which they have not gotten in two years also. Don't know how much it is but I'm sure they can do without it for a few years. Their medical is under the Federal Employee Health care, very lucrative with minimum out of pocket expenses. Which is also pretaxed
We will see if those on welfare get a cost of living raise. We will see if foreign aid is increase over the next couple of years. We will see if people on social security get a COLA since retiree COLA is based upon the same rate as social security.
Its too bad we don't have a concerned citizen group from each state of common working and retiree that would meed and judge Congress on their job performance and set their colas and pay raises.
Good response . When they dont do their job fire them. Maybe all vetrans and retireies should get together and vote the one's that take our benefits out of office.
I firmly belive that both House of the legislature should have two term limit, the same as the President. NO retirement plan. Those people make rules for us to live by, but are not required to abide by those same reules.
Also, cutting the small bennifits we receive for injureis received while serving in a war zone should never cut nor be reduced. So many of us volunteered to go to war for our Nation, and have been scewed ever since.
We do it is called "Voting" them out when the time comes around.
In response: we have veterans organization such as DAV, Fleet Reserve Associations and other various association akin to same goals..suggestion: Why can't we pool together to build our clout so we can have some effective voice in Washington? The moment is right, camaderie has become the best revenue or avenue for us to have some permanent voice that any politians, political parties would think twice to cross our lines! Does anyone agrees? Thank you all shipmates..
They gave away a trillion dollars to the financial institutions who in turn dished out 7 figure bonuses for themselves. These people caused the market crash in the first place. Now they are trying to save a couple dollars off the retirees who sacrificed and served their country. Its time the people make some changes starting with the president.
Again someone blaming the President for this mess. Get a clue.
I think you need to get a clue, he and congress are the problem.
!50 % correct, More true words were never spoken… however, no one will ever be able to control those jerks….amen brother
I agree about the changes but it was not the financial institutions who caused the market crash. They only did what the gov REQUIRED they do. Banks could not stay in business unless they loaned money to people who could not afford it….. The Community Reinvestment Act set this up and the idiot brothers Dodd & Frank insured that Fanny & Freddie were not regulated while Obama friends/supporters at the big institutions received MILLIONS in salaries & bonuses. Those responding in support of BO need to check the facts look up Community Reinvestment Act, Frank Raines who received $90 Million in 5 years as head of Fanny and then hired by BO to advise White House. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YED5imIUyVw This stuff is easy to check ……not opinion – FACTS.
The Community Reinvestment Act was initiated by Bush, Sr., I believe, and it's not true that banks had to make loans to anyone who didn't qualify. The housing bubble was planned so as to make it easy for lenders to make money by selling mortgages to investors. Google MERS.
The CRA was instituted under Carter, not Bush, and Clinton increased its effect.
But the The real Criminals of that act were not in the White House at all. The real Criminals were Barney Frank and Chris Dodd, they were in charge of the sub committee that had oversight of the Housing agencies created by the CRA. After the latest fiscal blow up, Barney Frank even had the bald faced arrogance to say that all of his wrongdoing was not his fault, but was instead the Republicans who did not do enough to stop him from deregulating the loan standards that lead to the issuance of Freddie and Fannies toxic loans.
80% of the bad loans were from non-bank entities (think Countrywide for one). These non-bank entities were not under CRA. Therefore CRA was NOT the cause of the problem. Greed and lack of oversight were the problem.
Don't blame President Obama. I am sure that the last thing on his mind is cutting our retirement pay, COLA and other veterans benefits. We have a group in Congress who are obstructing the flow of government at a time we can least afford gridlock. Let's face it, our present President inherited a bad situation and a fiscal crisis comparable to that of the great depression. Many average American lost it all, yet Wall Street gets bailed out and refuses to give those who suffered at their hands funding to rebuild their companies and individual lives. Living in Michigan I see the suffering of individuals and small businesses and our urban centers, who are threatened with receivership, such as Pontiac, Benton Harbor, Highland Park, Ecorse, Taylor and others. The City of Detroit struggles to avoid a state takeover. This is all due in large part to the failure of area banks and financial institutions who received the help from Main Street to reinvest and now the "Tea Party" who made its presence known by injecting fear in a plan to insure America gain power to oppose just about everything that comes from the White House and the less than potent Congressional Democrats. Think about it.
B.S.
How much is he cutting from the welfare program? 25 years serving this once great country of ours VS 25 years of making babies and receiving handouts from Uncle Sam.
I blame him and congress the tea party.Vote them all out and focus on what is causing the problem, the POLITICIANS THEY WERE THE PROBLEM ALL ALONG.Wake up and see whats happening around you.
I see you have dranked the kool aid, the tea party is about being taxed enough already, stop listening to your filtered news, go to a rally and you will see what they are about, Cutting offf the aid to country's that use the money to plot to kill us, keep a strong defense foe the nation, the fed's job is not to run social programs, that is a job for states to do. before you talk bad about something check it out for your self.And a final statement, we have three branches of the federal government, They are indipendent, they don't march to the orders of the president, they are there to represent their districts. We don't have a KING.
Are you stupid or just an idiot? Its time to start blaming the Bush era and start taking a little responsibility for what he caused. Yes, the economy was going south, but all he has done was give our downward sprial more gas. We need to get the trend reversed and the only way is to vote these bozos out of office and get people in there who really care about our country. Not how many illegals or gay votes they can buy with stupid laws. We need to get back to where we came from.
Horse dung, Obama has been in office for nearly three years, this disaster of an economy is all his and no one else.
We are always the ones who are sacrificed when it comes to our lives and our pensions, yet many in Congress fail to see this. Instead, they are more concerned about how much they should get before they discuss the military, both acitve and retired. I say, if we don't get a COLA, then they shouldn't either and should have their pay cut what we are owed. Maybe they will see how much it affects us.
We all need to do more research before we vote. The thing that hurts is that those for whom weI voted are ones who are making it hard to survive.
DO NOT VOTE FOR AN INCUMBENT!!!!!!
I AGREE WITH RICH. WE NEED SOME NEW FACES IN WASHINGTON. WE NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE WHO WILL FOLLOW THROUGH ON WHAT HE PROMISES WHEN ELECTED..
Amen brother, You hit the nail on the Head.
I feel that we the people, should group together, and make shure that these working officials are severly threatened with their jobs, and going so far as to actually put some heads on the choping block. Give those individuals a less than honorable discharge and take away their large bank accounts and see if the rest of the sheep don't get their act together.
WE NEED SOMEONE WHO HAS THE GUTS AND BACKBONE TO STAND UP FOR THE MILITARY AND THE RETIREES, WE DON'T HAVE ANY ONE IN WASHINGTON NOW. I AGREE WITH YOU 100% LOUIS
Amen.
i was told that the people were the gov. not the gov. for there pocket books. but then we but them were they are now, we the people should take back the gov. the boston tea party sounds like fun to me. that would put them in jail for some time to come.
As Vet’s we all love to bitch about how Congress should be working for Us, but the reality is Congress work for Big Oil, Deep pockets and their Party. Until We the People decide to remind Congress that their service is founded on the principal of Government by the People for the People and we want it back not thing will change. We have to start by going into the voting booth forgetting the Party you think you belong to and Vote VERY incumbent out of office. It will take 6 to 8 year to get the long term Congressional members out more than 40 members have over 30 year on Capitol Hill, that longer than we served.
I Agree 100% Its time the people make some BIG changes starting with the president and working there way down.
Im with you brother
We serve a ungrateful nation.
They won't cut welfare because it is a large voting block.
Wrong! We serve an ungrateful government
Right on!!!!!!!!!
The only thing the Democrats are concerned with is securing them selves a voting base and they do not see veterans as a valuable voting resource. So be it. I will never again vote for a Democrat.
O.K.
Do you really believe that the folks on welfare go to the polls to vote?
Yes, They bus them in
do they really?
You are right on, These people are parasites, they ask you to spill your blood , and they Hide behind their title, It's always off the backs of the military the make their cuts. shared pain they call it, when You were in pain on a battlefield where was HE>
Vetrans and retireies on social security are a big voting block also. Today they said 80,000,000 checks go out each month
Thats unfair. Our nation is grateful, its the politicians that are not. This is why we are in the sorry state of affairs today
We did not serve the nation. There was no danger coming from Irak, and the Afghan business should have been resolved strictly from the air.
Indeed, the nation does not see any value, because we did not experience an existential threat, unlike WWII. Now, they are trying to reduce the ranks, do more with less, I guess.
Who did you serve?? The "US" on your uniform stands for "United States". Regardless of the threat, we served our nation which unfortunatly right now is being run by incompetant people.
Sarge, I remember the oath of enlistment well. It includes some very important wording. "To preserve, protect and defend The Constitution of The United States against ALL enemies, foreign and domestic. Our former "commander in chief" wanted to more or less use that document for toilet paper. I STILL remember. I wasn't ever "in it" for the money. The retirement benefits weren't carved in stone, but I still believed what "they" told, and by implication, PROMISED me on and in retirement.
Alvin L. Cooper, Jr., TSgt, USAF, (Retired)
I think the current Commander in Chief is the one who has through out his term made it a point to weaken the military and degrade the Constitution.
Alvin, I hear you. I am a Vietnam vet and 24 year retiree. I feel more disrespected by my political leaders for serving now then I did by my country when I returned from Vietnam. I was not in the military for the money (whats that?) nor the benefits (whats that again??) but I feel we should not be the sacrificial lambs every time congress wants to cut the budget. We stll have 2012 to change all this. Belive me, no one in DC will get my vote, even if I have to vote for Tickle me Elmo.
Sgt. Cooper:
You hit it right on the nose. You were told, by implication, a promise, which legally doesn't give any of us a leg to stand on. These promises are made for recruiting and retention purposes only. These promises are nowhere in any contract you signed at enlistment a nd re-enlistment. "They" print the flyers, "They" can say anything "they" want but only Congress can make this promise and it has to be in the contract. As I stated in this post elsewhere, read the CRS Report for Congress – Military Health Care: The Issue of "Promised" Benefits.
We served a greatful nation but an ungrateful right-wing congress who are to busy sucking up to the rich, the lobbyists and Wall Street. They are more interested in getting $$$ and re-elected then doing what is right. Lies, deciept and hypocricy are all required qualifications for this group of in-greats. Somebody elected them and thought it was the right thing to do. Hey, how is that going for ya? Maybe they should layoff 25% of the junior congressmen, let them draw unemployment and try to pay their mortgage and bills.
When I went to the grocery store last night I couldn't believe that something that was .99 cent the day before was $1.99 the next day. I spent 21 years in uniform and the thanks I get are higher prices no COLA and a group of lawmaker who are only concerned with fattening their pockets. What a Country.
David, Did you hear Obama this week say "I'm beginning to become more concerned about medicare because I'm about to turn fifty years old. I can't believe a man in his position with the benifits he has for life would compare himself with a medicare recipient.
He should have thought of that before the democrats "stole" a half-trillion-dollars from Medicare to fund Obamacare (you know; the insurance for illegals and lifelong "layabouts")!
He should have been a recruiter! Oh, wait, he was – well, isn't a community organizer a recruiter?
Look, i dont like obama care either but stay relevant to the subject!! The article is about cola getting cut!! If you want to rant about illegals and shit go complain to an article on that subject, stop being a moron!
Obama is the epitomy of everything wrong withthis country- why people support him I do not know. Of course those who are not paying any federal taxes and those who
are on the public dole for hundreds of programs have to keep their welfare flowing- we others do not stand much of a chance.
You're right, and he will probably get re-elected on that alone. If you will note everyone that we have sent into the Presidency does the same old crap, and nothing changes, and the same with the congress. What a bunch of j- -s they are. The inde-csiveness action taken by our President will tear this nation down. Maybe all of the people should say to themselves don't vote at all vote, or maybe vote somebody in besides a Democrat, or Republican.
Obama is out of touch with reality. He lives in his own world and it includes none of us.
all they care about is themselves. to hell with all of us. we pay them, not they pay us. we are the gov. we should act like the the gov. tell them what to cut.
That's because he's politician and full of shit up to his ears!!!
He may be "concerned for medicare because he turned 50" HOWEVER he has
excellent medical and earned retirement for LIFE that will make anyone else's earnings look like spit in a bucket!!
He does all of that crap to get the votes, one day he's for something, and the next day depending on what city he goes it will be something else.
I think everyone of us are getting fed up with people running our government, and not paying any attention to their own budget. They are the ones who got us into this mess(14 Trillion Dollars),and now they want to keep hurting us more, and they are so full of crap, and they don't know which corner to turn next.
Maybe, if we could get companies such as General Electric to pay "some" taxes; we (America) wouldn't be in the situation we are in now! Just think, "G.E. pays no taxes, BUT they get money BACK from the government – go figure!
hmmmm….. GE contributes millions to BO's campaign then gets back millions in tax relief & gov't aid AND the CEO gets to accompany our Pres to meet with heads of foreign countries like China to make trade policies that affect all companies including GE competitors…then by CHANCE GE gets plum exclusive contracts with these same countries…worth Billions. All the while BO gets to demonize "big businesses" and pretend he's trying to help "average Americans".
ANYONE WHO VOTES FOR THIS GUY THIS TIME AROUND HAS TO BE EITHER AN IDIOT OR IN THE POCKET OF A CORRUPT BUSINESS, UNION OR COMMUNITY ORGANIZING GROUP.
Me thinks you are a brain washed Tea bagger!!!
Perhaps we should use some of our training and march collectivly on Washington. We could set up a perimeter, and any person in Congress who tries to leave, without getting this thing in order; has to walk through a "Free Fire Zone". I'm thinking that would work well. I'm sure they'd stop worrying about getting re-elected; more than they'd worry about getting to their cars.
GE has moved several of their manufacturing sites to Mexico. Check your light bulb packages for the house, vehicle, etc. That's why we buy WalMart brand, made in U.S.A. GE screws not only U.S. but also their own people.
Yeah, but the Tea-partiers don't want any tax hikes from anyone; all they want is to cut spending (such as Vet benefits, SS, Medicare, School funding) while their rich friends sit back and get richer and richer.
AND WHAT ABOUT THECOMPANIES THAT TOOK JOBS OUT OF THE UNITED STATES AND GAVE THEM TO FOREIGNORS? THEY ARE STILL HEADQUARTERED IN THE US AND . i FEEL THEY SHOULD BE TAXED HEAVILY BECAUSE THEY CONTRIBUTED TO THE LOSS OF JOBS AND ARE MAKING MONEY HAND OVER FIST!!
What do you think "big business" does when their tax burden increases… it's passed on to the consumer!
Bring back all the jobs that were sent over seas.
Companies like Starbucks were talking about holding out on campaign contributions. If they all did that, think about the power they could have to change who get elected.
FIRE the lot of them, I do not care what party they belong to. This is the
only way to get term limits. Keep voteing them out until they understand
just who pays for their lavish lifestyle and they start doing what is good
for America and not themselves.
I totally agree with Jet!! Fire every damned one of them! Put a vote on the ballot for hiring new Senators. House Reps and a President for omly two years per term, with the first year being a probation period. If, by the end of the probation period, they haven't shown marked improvements to the benefit of the american people, veterans, social security, etc., etc., start taking THEIR benefits away in a major fashion! Hurt THEIR wallets and see how fast things get done correctly!!! as an incentive, If they do well, allow a four year term, under the same terms for years three and four! Cutting benefits for retirees, vets, social security only suceeds in creating more poverty for those that survive only on these benefits, those that willing went to offer their lives so that we could be free, those that willingly paid the ultimate price to guarantee that freedom. Even the slightest cut in money to some people that need it just to survive creates drastic conseqeunces each month (causing them to lose their homes, no money for food, etc)! Set up the system to where the big wigs lives and their deep pockets, might be put in the same jeopardy and see how fast they get something done the right way, in half the time!
they probley(?) have laws against that. and we let them do that. but i stand behind you on that one, how about that p[eopie, iets do it.
Do you realize we're talking about millionaires here, and their salaries are pretty much immaterial to them?
The American people don't pay for polititions' lavish lifestyle, it's Exxon, big Pharma, United Health Care…… bitch all you want they will NEVER change. They are bought and paid for.
They are only bought and paid for until we get ourselves grouped together to un-elect them and make all elected reps and senators see it is us running the country and not them. Do not vote for any incumbent. Senators and reps must be in the same retirement and medicare program as the rest of us. We need to tell them to change the laws and if they don't pass probation they don't get paid. We need a flat tax for all people and companies – no exceptions and no deductions – just flat tax on all income. And no more foreign aid to anyone.
I think we need term limits for all congress not just the jack ass in charge. no more that one six year term and wait two terms before you can run again. Oh yea not retirement package for any of them.
right on!
Fire!! Let's take the whole bunch out back hang them for treason. Why do we sit still while our government is taking this once great nation to the poorhouse. I served my country with honor but now where is the honor.
I do believe it is to be found amoung thieves in DC. What say ye all?
THEY WILL STILL GET THEIR RETIERMENT PAY FOR ONE TERM SERVED IN CONGRESS IT SUCKS ALL THE WAY AROUND
Please try to learn facts, not parrot statements from random e-mails and Faux News. Congress is under FERS, do NOT get retirement for 1 term. They need to serve 5 years to qualify, which gains them a retirement of 1.7%/year of their top 3 years, payable at age 62.
thank you. For some reason people can't get that through their thick skulls.
They won't cut corporate welfare because of the corporate lobbying block, and the corporations ability to mounted lavish poltical campaigans agsinst those who oppose them now the the US Supreme Court has declare that corporations have the same rights as human beings. Furthermore, corporate funding of politican campaigns is considered "free speech" and any attempt to curb such funding is considered a violation of their First Amendment as the Superme Court as stated. What a joke!!!
Whose pocket do you suppose those judges are in ?
Draftee, What they call corp welfare is(1) equipment depreciation over a four year period on all equipment and repairs of equipment that the use in their businesses, or credits for hiring veterns, Theowners are Amercian's also, do the forfeit their citizenship because they took a risk to start a business that was successful?, Read Sal Alinky's book on line for free jus google it, you will see what games are being played.
Big busines runs the government not the people in Washington. They just give big business whatever they want depending on their contribution to their campaign. Look at Obomination with his big contributions from Wall Street These are the people that don't pay taxes because of loopholes.but should be considered the rich that the Republicans??support.. Democrats are the party of the rich not Repubs/
Too many people don't realize that glaring truth. Who do they think helped finance Obama? It sure as hell wasn't the "rich Republicans"
Corporations DO NOT PAY TAX!!!! Customers of Corporations do in the form of increased prices for products the Corporations produce/sell.Worse, when a Corporations sees an increase in the taxes they "pay" they not only increase the prices to compensate, but add a little bit more for even more profit.
Well you won't those shitbirds in D.C. reducing their COLA or per-deium, or travel pay any time soon, in fact you may see them raise theirs!
when i lived in colorado they stated the lottery, they (the gov.) said that the money would be for the schools, whitch they did. BUT in turn they cut funding for schools and gave them seleves a raise. and we let them.
Why
Oh mu god if they take our income away there will be a lot more people living on the streets. How dare they . Our country has really gone to the dogs
That's the goal…get as many people living off the government & dependent on the politicians that keep voting for handouts. Once they get critical mass, they cannot be voted out of office by WORKING Americans.
You are so right. Need another big change in our Govt, including that so called President.
I would just like to see one time where they actually go after the ones that put us in this situation. You want to cut retired pay, what about the retirees from the Senate and the house? How much to they get per year or should I say how much MORE do they get per year than any retired Military member? They spend and spend not worried about any consequences since they will just take more from the people and allow the big corporations to continue to take as they wish since that is where they get their money for the reelections. All military is an easy target for them since most don’t know what the military actually goes through since they have not been in. I feel the President and all the higher ranking personnel in our government should have served with at least one overseas tour lasting more than one year so they have an idea of what our military personnel goes through. Take the money from the ones that put us in this situation, our own government.
Joe, you are on the same line of thinking that I am. Veterans and Disabled Veterans have given our blood and limbs for this country. We did it because we volunteered to serve. In my opinion we have sacrificed and now it is time for others to stand up for this country.
We need to get together as an entity and stand up to those that supposedly are running this nation. If our benefits are a target to balance the budget then do the same for 535 members of the Senate/House and all of their staffs. This would include the retirees in each of the above catagories. Lastly, in addition to posting our opinions here, send a copy to your members of congress. Semper Fidelis Blackcoat.
THEY GET THEIR FULL SALARY,EVEN IF THEY SERVE JUST ONE TERM.PLUS ALL MED AND HEALTH BENEFITS.INCLUDING THEIR FAMLIES,SO IVE BEEN TOLD.BY INTERNS IN WASHINGTON D.C.
WHO WORK FOR THESE A##H###S.
No they don't
They are members of FERS, the Federal Employee's Retirement System just like a clerk at the VA And they can't draw it 'til the turn 62.
Exactly!!
The problem is the guys and gals in the Senate and the House have never served in our military. They avoided the military because they came from wealth. They don't have a clue what it means to Serve Our Country. God Bless America they are out of touch-they truyly don't know the real meaning of God Bless America. Our National Anthem means nothing to them, Veterans Day means nothing to them but parties in DC to attend. They are all over paid, they don't pay attention to what is really going on with people losing their jobs, homes and sad to say those whom gave so much they are now disabled VETS and can't find jobs. Actively reduce and cap their salaries just like they are doing to the Armed Forces, Retirees and the Vets! What will they do when the terrorist come to the United States and bring the everyday bombings and brutality to our soil–they will all hide and wait for the ANG, Active Duty, Reserve, and all branchs of the service to come and protect their familites and their property. But wait, that can't happen because…
how can you call him president HE should be called dictator.
You said it far better than I ever could have expressed my thoughts. But who is listening?
Navy widow
We could start by impeaching Obama. i wish Blagovich would tell everything he knows about Obama.
Amen
Starship Trooper!
The idea behind that movie has merit!
Get rid of all of them, take away their all of their benefits and retirement…. place solid term limits on all public offices, require a minimum of Federal Service to QUALIFY for such an office….
Then we can stop paying other countries, possibly attempt to recoup some of the money we've given them, place ironclad limits on immigration, remove corporate citizenship rights and put big business back where it belongs and dump the IRS – everybody pays a flat tax and no deductions allowed.
We would save trillions of dollars a year…….
So what are we going to do about this situation? Just sit around and complain or march on Washington and let them know we are unhappy with how it is all turning out for us according to their benefits. There are more of us than them and yet we let them keep the hill and make all the rules of engagement. I say let's take the hill and make sure all is even up accordingly.
To single out – this is not about the Pres nor the Govt in general but the people in the branches either "D or R" who are thinking they are "BIG H" because they're sitting in the great building not thinking being a small servant that would have a very great historical outstanding service outcome to the public not specifically only for themselves…pls hear/read carefully and be able to understand not by just listening to some individuals who wants to become popular by group instead blend themselves whatever is good for the whole community or the Amercan public in general…
Who do you believe the Government is
WE SHOULD BE NOTIFYING OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR OUR STATE,LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE WAY THEY ARE ALLOWING A SELECT FEW OF BONE HEADS IN WASHINGTON CALL THE SHOTS. HAVE THEY FORGOTTON THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE FIGHTING FOR US THE PEOPLE THEY PROMISED THEY WOULD HELP IF WE HELP ELECT THEM. IT SEEMS THEY HAVE FORGOTTON US. THINK ABOUT NOTIFYING THEM.
The House and Senate should be proud of them selfs All they are talking about is cutting benefit from the Military, Retirees, Veterans and there are men and women dying on the field of battle. Shame on you.
and us survivors too
The youth joining are probably not aware how the system will screw them over time, each and every one of them. Anybody who joins in this day and age should have their heads examined by a psychiatrist, because they could be insane.
We in the Military (active, Retired, Veteran should start working together and look at the House and Senate both Dem and Rep and the ones that are always working against us. We should vote Independent and vote the ones out the ones that have been living off our hard earned money and get ride of them. Look for the ones that abuse their power and are not thinking about the working man . The Unions have voted in blocks why not the Military block. We have rights too.
We can recall any HOUSE and SENATE person that we want. Its time to act.
Mac: I agree with you, but can we do to "Awaken" our group of retirees and get us as a whole to vote these bums out, whether GOP or Dems???
You are right. I have been voting independent for a long time now. The problem is way too many are not voting thinking their vote don't count. If you don't vote, don't complain when your elected officials don't listen to the people who they are supposed to represent. Start now and write to your gongressmen and senators and let them know what you think. I belong to AARP and the Sergeants Association to support groups with clout who they listen to more.
I agree. Why don't you start organizing us.
they only need to serve one term and then they get a pension of their own for life.
Get after foreign aid and entitlements to illegals. Leave the Vets and citizens alone. Congress gets raises and great pensions and medical benifits but screw those that served
YES THEY SEEM TO OFFER MONEYS TO OTHER GOVT AND FORGET ABOUT THE SERVICE MEMBERS, AND THOSE GOVT REALLY THINK WE ARE EASY TOUCHES.
Mike you said it Emma Way
Just another way to adjust insult to injury by our socialist government.
what are you talking about?
o ifor get you are under the gov control now
Retired CW4, This is what happens when you vote in a smooth talker. Has never worked in the trenches with the rest of us. They all need to go, but I am afraid the public will not see the problem.
the bums who want to reduce our COLA and SS benefits. IM a retired CWO2.
Chief: Sorry about earlier transmission. I meant to ask: Do you have any ideas on how we could organize all retirees into a large "Voting Block"
so that those who want to reduce our COLA and SS benefits (Like the "Gang of Six" will listen to us. Maybe if we got on to Facebook?
Read the Constitution you swore to defend ,.its Congress that controls the purse strings not the President. Amd no, I did not vote for current one.
Not to mention the one who drove the ship of state on the reef was far from a smmoth taker .
U.S. loses $1.3 billion in exiting Chrysler
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) — U.S. taxpayers likely lost $1.3 billion in the government bailout of Chrysler, the Treasury Department announced Thursday…… These are the idiots you have managing your money and they want more…….
Folks, This is why I belong to MOAA. There are several other organizations out there fighting the fight for us vet’s. Join-up with MOAA, Air Force Assoc. and others because numbers speak to the politicians when the MOAA’s (all the other outfits helping vet’s) goes to Capital Hill and what not.
I agree with you that MOAA is doing a great job fighting for the rights of vets and the military in general. One thing though, the organization has not been able to do is to reign in our greedy members of congress.
H.J.V. CW4, U.S. Army ,retired
People TRYING to defend this President when it comes to cutting the benefits of us Military are ignoring one major thing, Congress is mainly Democrats which this President is their leader. Now bet not too many people hear the word 'Leader' same sentence as the 'President.' He is trying to scare people with 'There may not be enough money to pay those on social security or medicare.' Horse crap, First Social Secuirity is based on how much each american paid into that fund. Even though over the decades the government raped it for their pet projects. There will be enough money coming in to pay all those people. If not, then the President is the one that made that choice, NOT to pay, its in his hands.
got my social security deposited into my acount already for this month.
HUH ??
The House controls spending and it is under firm Republical control.
Our cause is not served by miststing the facts,Get it right or stay on the couch.
Time to revolt. The down trodden citizens of this country should be putting their money in guns and ammo not the stock market.
TAKE YOU GUNS AND AMMO WHERE OUR MEN AND WOMEN ARE FIGHTING SO COWARDS LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE TO. FRIDAY A RIGHT WING RADICAL KILLED DOZENS OF CHILDREN AND OTHER PEOPLE.
Now that America has seen what a black man can do for this country as the leader I guess the majority wants O Bozo to have another 4 years! Am I right? Come on!! It is just 4 more years. After all what more damage could this buffoon do?
Racism is stupid as is proved by this post.
You are a stupid racist.
I can't afford any more "hope and change", I doubt anyone else on here can either.
Ron it's stupid people like you that give the power to those self serving congressmen in office now. Get your head out of your ass. Listen to what one of the vets said. Quote " let's get together and vote all of them out of office. And keep voting any self serving senator or repersenative out until we can get congressmen in who will serve the will of the common people/working men/women. Then we can vote to limit their terms to two years just like the president.
See you are using the wrong thing to condemn his, He is a goose stepper, he told the people that before you elected him, he told Joe the plummer that he wanted to spread the wealth around. but as usual the people don't listen.
I have been reading the comments from the many VETS and I knew that at some point the RACE CARD would be played. Ron is showing his true COLOR and it is not RED, WHITE & BLUE. JUST WHITE. After all the screw ups that previous presidents have made, he has the nerve to make a comment like this. To say the least he is disrespectful, but I would think more on the RACIST side.
HE HAS DONE NO NO WORSE THAN THE WHITE MAN BEFORE HIM HAS. THE FACT THAT HE IS BLACK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM.
There is 555 Idiots in the Gov't that runs this country, they are the ones that passes all the bills and laws for their benfit. I am a disable vet due to Agent Orange and have loss one of my main organs. Now they want to take more from me (us) so they can keep living the way they want as alot of other people has said. What about the IRS has a slush fun of over 25 billion dollars and they are not talking about taking any thing from them like the did with all Social Security.
what a joke, fire all of these wing nuts!!! they have no problem giving themselves pay raises and golden parachutes, we spent the best years of our lives gave our sweat our blood and our lives to defend this country and this is the thanks we get. Everyone I talk to now if they ask what I think about their kids joining the military I tell them try Canada's military ours isn't worth it anymore
.3 of nothing is still nothing and they plan to raise taxes on top of it so we will still lose money and not gain 1 single penny!!! Meanwhile Obama and his buddies keep sending billions to rebuild Afghanistan and Iraq. I haven't seen and Muslim Oil Billionaires contributing to rebuilding the World Trade Center!!!
Screw the government!! We took an oath to defend our country from enemies both foreign and domestic. So, when are we going to take up arms and march on Washinton, D.C.??? Anybody who votes to re-elect that S.O.B. in the White House is Anti-American, just like he is!!
That should read "anybody that votes to re-elect any of those SOB's isAnti-American just like they are
like i said,someone in the trenches needs to run for president….do things smartly;not stupid!
STUPID IS THE ONLY THING THE RIGHT WING NUTTERS KNOW
STUPID IS AS STUPID DOES
Why not cut much of the financial aide to foreign countries who harbor terrorist such as: Pakistan , Afganistan,etc….. it is we (veternas) who earned our benefits from sweat, tears, pain and eternal torment (combat vets).It isn't the politicians who earned their status,for if we go along the path with an attitude of "When in Rome do as the Romans do", we will suffer the same loss of credibility , loss of wealth , power and will eventually collapse not from external factors ,but from internal greed, abuse of power and the unwillingness of the American people on a macro -level to do as many of you have suggested fire them all. Why don't we have commissions to audit the politicians incomes ?Please know from one veterns to all of you and my fellow Americans I simply love each of you and pray our heavenly father will have mercy on this nation that has literally spit at his holy commandmants. We ahve condoned sin, we have as individuals watched our schools falter , or cherished values fall by the side of the road to the extent that we will all suffer its consequences ,not as individuals ,but as the total polis.SEMPER FIDELIS TO ALL MY MARINE COMRADES __TIMOTHY BALLARD
All of your comments are well taken, but most are only moaning about the problem, and a lot of what should be done. NOTHING-BUT NOTHING, will change the political debacle we face until we collectively get off our tired whining azzez and take action. We need SOLOUTIONS to the problem, and the ACTION to get-r-done. One thing for sure, we don't pay enough attention to whom we vote into office. These senile maggots sit on their brains (????), and speak from the same orfice. The only war to be fought is eradicating the greedy, self serving, egotistical garbage that are now in office. MAD-Yep-I am mad as all hell. Maybe a march on DC and into the halls of congress would solve the problem. ?????????????
i guess they have decided that in the future they will not need any military ,because they will have given OUR country to the other side therefor NO MILITARY NEEDED
i'am with you brother,when??
semper fi
Wake up there was a march last 9/12. We had over 500,000 people at the capital. The only thing they pay attention to is the vote. We have to reach the idiots who keep putting the same people in office. I am mad at DC yes, but even madder at the people who keep putting them there.
it is always them that got r them that gets why did we let the Veteran's party go under ? I was a member but all the complainers didn't join .we can be a force wake up
because 3rd party won't do anything to get the right kind of people elected. we have to be brave enough to talk to everyone we know & start influencing how people vote. Yes the people in DC are idiots but we put them there.
I have myself so whizzed off I can't stop now.
HEADLINES: FEDS IN QUANDRY ABOUT FEDERAL BUDGET
Hell yes the are in a Quandry–They have their heads so far up their rectums thay can't see the light. Sitting on their brains attempting to balance the fedaral budget. Problem: They have sat in their well paying positions so long, with untold perks, that their brains and azzez went to sleep or off somewhere in fantasy land, now the SODS are so laid back that they won't "BUDGE-IT". COLA–They haven't heard of COLA. They believe COLA is a cold RC Cola & two "Banana Moon Pies". I put in twenty and two trips to Vietnam—for what ?? Freedom my ass –we ain't doing nothing but working for "The Man". I thought slavery was abolished, and we sit silently by and watch reality shows and propaganda news media. IT IS WAKE UP AND TAKE ACTION TIME FOLKS.
I understand the need for foreign aid and most entitlements. What I don't understand is why they get to vote on cutting our benefits but we can't go after their benefits which are FAR more generous that ours are?
I see no need for foreign aid, I served in Vietnam twice and the other 25 years I had duty in other countries where we had "helped" with weapons and money. They used the money to buy more weapons and used the weapons we gave them to support their communist goals and to shoot at us. Nope you can not buy friends, I wish they would learn that lesson and stop trying.
WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THIS WEB SIGHT??? THAT'S ALL YOU SEEM TO DO IS PUMP OUT FEAR AND HALF TRUTHS…JOHN BOENER AND THE COMMIE HARRY REED BOTH SAID NO DEFENSE CUTS WILL HAPPEN…AND THE HOUSE HAS ALREADY APPROVED A 17 BILLION INCREASE OVER LAST YEAR.. THAT'S A "B" NOT AN "M" NOW IF THOSE KNUCKLE HEADS AT THE PENTIGON DO THEIR JOB THERE SHOULD BE ENOUGH PUBLIC PLUNDER FOR ALL OF US
Commie, whats a commie? We have never been at war with "commie"
We have always been at war with "Quaida" We will always be at war with
"Quaida"
The largest outlay by the Federal Government after Social Security is Food Stamps. A family of four is said to spend $750.00 a month on food so they bring them up to that. I feed four adults and do not spend that much. We eat a lot of chicken and pork, but leave the steak off. I don't buy food that is already prepared and I do not buy junk food, chips cookies, and such. We make cookies and Cake from scratch and they are better and more healthy. I watch people go to the checkout with big roast, steak, and I mean rib eye and T-bone, stacked in there. So I work and make good money, the Federal Government takes money from me and gives it to layabouts so they can eat better than I do. So I want to k now why they do not cut some of the Welfare and Food Stamp people. Make them take a drug test, that will shrink the rolls real fast.
you are misguided
How so, you enjoy supporting a bum to lay around on his or her but all day, I am not. There are people who need the help and I don't mind. but I do not like to see the people on food stamps eat better than me. I raised seven kids and never had food stamps, it is just a pride thing for me. I worked second jobs and managed, we did without a few things but My children have managed to not be on them as well. I have them from 42 to 18, they all work and they all have insurance and feed their families. Is it asking too much to ask the same of everyone?
Nam vet. 6869 i am a vet from 6869 the problem is the chickens do not want to make the call. both parties do not want to do the proper thing. 1st.any young girl Puerto RICAN _BLACK_OR WHITE give birth let her mom and dad be responsible and do not forget the big man who cause it he has parents also .it takes two to tango. it should not be the tax payers .they get up go to work to put a roof over their family buy cheap meat just so the first thing the young welfare ones do is get big screen and a lot of cable .while respect able people work to provide them for them .but they cannot provide them for their family .if people are disable arm legs poor health.i do not see a problem .but people scamnyng the hard working people . i call them for what they are low life . A WAR VET I AM NOT TRYNG TO SOUND RADICAL THA IS THE ATTITUTE IWAS BORN WITH WHATS WRIGHT IS WRIGHT WHATS WRONG IS WRONG. LUIS
Mary, thank you for your service and Welcome home. It is good to hear from any Veteran of that period. You are right the Military is always the first hit. Clinton reduced the Military so much it took a few months to get enough troops up to snuff to go to Afghanistan
God Bless.
Just one more Government screw you jobs. Been seeing and hearing it since 1964 when I enlisted.
These scumbage in the legislative branch of the government are very quick to cut the benefits of the very people who put their lives on the line to give them the privledge to stab them in the back, BUT, NEVER EVER cut ANY of their benefits and make it a LAW that they get a raise EVERY year. WE need people in government that are more concerned about the people that protect our country than about being reelected. GOD bless America, we need it more noe than ever before.
I ASK HOW MANY OF THIS PANEL OF SIX EVER IN THE MILITARY ,I DO NOT MEAN THE RESERVES BUT ACTIVE MILITARY?? HOW WOULD THEY FEEL IF THE CONGRESS CUT THEIR PAY AND BENIFITS ??? SO TRY ANOTHER AGENCY MAYBE THE RECESS THE POLITICIANS HAVE TAKEN. AND THEIR MEDICAL ALSO NO PAY RAISES WHILE IN OFFICE FOR ONE TERM AND NOTHING AFTER THAT.
What the He__ do you mean Reserves. I have been in 19.5 years and have served more active duty time in the desert/war zone than most of you Active Duty Retirees, so you need to stop that bulls–t. At least when you came home you still had a job not like several thousands of Reservists / Guard members who come home and not only do not have a job but after 30 to 90 days of leave the Military also has no work for you until the next time you are required to report for your next deployment in the box…
This will have lasting consequences for us also.
U.S. official: Obama won't cut military aid to Israel
The U.S. just signed an agreement to give Israel $30 billion over the next decade. While the Israelis continue to confiscate Palestinian land and build illegal Jewish settlements, the United States is fighting 3 different wars in order for Israel to continue with these crimes. This has resulted in thousads of lost American lives, and more than $3 trillion of U.S. taxpayer money. And our U.S. politicians keep voting for more aid to Israel in order to continue their political careers. When are the American people going to wake up?
The bulk of the People of These United States stand with Israel. They are the only ally we have in the Middle East and they are in their Homeland. I am glad Obama has done this, I was afraid he was going to leave them hanging. To me and many others the Israeli people are like family and I do not ever turn my back on family. The lands they took after a war and it is now theirs.
I am in agreement with the ones who say, "Reduce the senators and congressmen's pay and special benefits. Put them on social security for retirement and our health plan. They should not get any better benefits than those who have served in the military. They make me sick. The lot of them. I am fedup with their attitudes, mightier than the average citizen. They overspend, some don't pay their taxes and get away with it, pay special interest groups off with contracts etc. to get their votes. The American people are only going to take so much of this before they demand changes. I wouldn't care if everyone of them were voted out. Please tell me how we can change their retirement and their health insurance. Can't we get this done?
VOTE THE SORRY BUNCH OF THEM OUT ! Violence is really frowned upon.
why should they get a retirement after just a few years. I had to do 20 years to get my retirement.MO
cut congress pay 1st
why did you deleate my commit
it seems you are bias commentater
since my comments get deleateed everytime,…….this really is trashing my right too freedom of speech dude!
That tell me for whom to vote in the next elections.Now the presiden is goint to blame Bush.
This is the worse president this country has ever had.
WHERE WERE YOU FROM 2000 TO 2008
Just another Bush hater. Let’s deal with now and the future of what was once known as “America”.
I strongly disagree! The previous president was the one most responsible for the debt because of the useless wars we are in now. Let's pull all our armed forces back and protect our own borders and resources. We as a country can be self sufficient. We feed most of the world. Let's feed and house the homeless and poor of this country before we help anyone else.
COME ON RIGHT WINGERS WHERE IS YOUR PRAISE FOR YOUR REPUBLICAN MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT IS PUSHING THIS
i feel sorry for the sobs who voted for this guy
EnteI am certain of one thing, I am not going to vote for any incumbent in officer text right here!
why dosen’t obamay and his counter parts cut their friggin pay,and leave us retirees alone. ever since obamay and his crew took office he has wanted to take take and take. bush in his 8 years never wanted to screw with us retirees. why don’t the people get obama out of office. he’s got this country all screwed up.
Purposly missspelling our presidents name immediately lets all of us know you were no patriot in the service, Only in it it for the paygrade as you are unfit to hold a civilion job. You also never got even a sixth grade education or watched Sesame Street as you have clearly showed your ignorance of even a basic understanding of how this government works.
Remove YOURHEADS!!!!!!!!!!! Who runs the country and in charge of the budget????????????
COME ON STUPID———— Pull Head out of A– and think for a change. I’ll answer for you, The SENATE AND THE CONGRESS!! Boy that was tough!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No big deal to me, but I always thought we elected a president to run the country! Budget comes from president, not congress. Anyway, guess I was wrong!
Its' like this ! Everytime a democrate is in office at the White House we are cut along with military readiness. I will gladly forfeit all my so called benefits and go on well fare if all those in Washington do like wise. (serve for nothing as we all did for 20-30 years); and be forced to give what little we get back. Broken promisses continue. So be it. I still love America and will gladly serve again for nothing as long as these idiots in Washington serve along by my side. Not likely as they are cowards. USN Retired
Ya'll want cheese with that whine?
all vets and retires should do what the d&r's want us to do. hurry up and die so they can raise their pay
Stop congresses automatic pay raises, in fact cut their salaries & benifits also the white house!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If your cargo plane can carry 2 tons but everyone that boards brings 1 ton each, then the plane will never leave the ground. Most of the comments are from people that don't know anything about politics. I'm glad that I didn't serve with some of these commenters. You couldn't count on them to have your back in a foxhole.
Arthur: What are you talking about? What does taking 2 tons on an airplane have to do with anything? How does that relate to politics and having someone's back? What are you saying? You lost me.
nothing changes ,vietnam vet getting screwed again
Amen bro!!!!
I don't know about "again", I thought it was still.
Purple Heart, Viet Nam vet With two voluntary tours and still being screwed.
I live in San Diego and have Bob Filner as the person who represents me in Congress. He is one of the leftest congresspresons. He has no backbone and does not care about the servicemen and retiree's. He claims he represents us but he does not. All he cares is about his cola and retirement. The Demo;s are ruining our country.
the vet's and retiree's suffer some more. thank you Washington
If you can serve one term in congress *** chairborn **** and get free medical and retirement pay.for life, why are they screwing with us. It is time the American people wake up or soon who will protect them.
those idiots should be voted out of office it doesnt matter Dem or Reps, they betray the people who have fought for thier liberty and freedom. We tople the ruthless dictator Sadam and his government then the military captures and does away with terrorist Benladen. Now the thanks we get is a pay/benefits cut from these clouns who call themselves our representatives,
They screwed us for two years putting us below the cost of living as the economy grew in fuel and the food we buy. They screwed us out of CRDP so we have to pay our own disability out of our retirement. They screwed us by the calculations of Service Connected disability. They can take 50% disability and turn into 40%.
And we served our country for over 20 years.
Those on Welfare get Section 8 housing free, Food Stamps Free, Utilities Free and even money, and then they get earned income credit with our tax dollars to buy Fish and Fish tanks, Dogs and Cats, Clothes for themselves and even new cars. I know, I had a daughter worked her 89 days so she could keep her assistance, and got 10,000 dollars for earned income. Yes I let her know how I felt. This is the way these kids think these days. They know the system and use it.
While those of us that worked our life away and never heard of Section 8 Housing and Earned Income Credit take more of our tax dollars. Doesn’t this sound just like Congress, Senate and the White House. Have those that work for a living pay for those who don’t to screw us even more. The American Way uses the system and stays home and do not worry about anything the Government is on its way to those that us the system.
what do they want us to live on and pay our bill's with
Oboma is weak as **** I’m ashamed I fell for his b.s. but Republicans. Are worse there fighting tooth to nail to keep tax breaks for the most wealthy and make up for it by taking from us. That. Makes us weak. We cry on here but how many have called. There reps its time for change but the average ameircans forgot what we earned. Its shameful. On them and us for taking it..
Write your Congressman.
Right,his file 13 is waiting.
I tried that! Wrote to a member of Congress, and was told in no un-certain words, "BUTT OUT".
Makes me wonder……..
I have on three different occasions and have not even got a butt out reply from them. Nothing at all, they do not care.
Anyone considering joining the military should seriously consider how they will be treated should they serve in the military long enough to retire – more importantly, they should consider how they will be treated should they be seriously injured in the line of duty. Those in the congress do not represent what they like to refer to as a grateful nation.
How long does Boehner have to serve to get his 'entitlement'???
If you can serve one term in congress *** chairborn **** and get free medical and retirement pay.for life, why are they screwing with us. It is time the American people wake up or soon who will protect them.
I WONDER IF ANY OF THESE SENS. EVER SERVED IN THE MIL?
THEY ARE MAKING THEIR LIVING OFF OF THE TAX PAYERS.ITS TIME WE REPLACED THEM.I HOPE EA.STATES:VFW,AMLEGION,DAV,AND ALL VET ORG IN THEIR STATE LETS THE ELECTORS KNOW WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE THEY HAVE REPRESENTING THEM, YOU NOTICE THEY DIDNT SAY CUT THERE BENEFITS,OR SALARYS,OR COLAS,GET RID OF THE FREE LOADERS.
This is what Michelle Bachmann just proposed, to cut all VA benefits.
I thought you'd like to know.
the elections coming up,we can all vote the elite out of office. They manage to get their high pay raise whenever they want plus some of the best benefits in the world.Every military person deserves everything that they get and more.For what those people in Washington get done is ridiculous.They look more forward to their next time off than taking care of the people that put them there,and the problems of the country.
How many of the "famous six" are veterans that know what it's like serving in the military ?
MAYBE WE VETS SHOULD ORGANIZE A MILLION MAN/WOMAN VETS
FOR FAIR GOVT,MARCH ON WASH.D.C. YOU KNOW DR.KING DID IT,
AND THE PEOPLE LISTENED MAYBE IT WILL WAKE UP SOME OF OUR REPS,SENS.
I AGREE 100%. When do we start??
You know who put them up there…..YOU…..Now S…Heads vote all of them out .Thats the only thing they understand….Vote,Vote them out regardless who they are.None of them are any good today…Bill Creasy
I am really getting tired of the House and the Senate trying to take away from Retired and Active Duty, and Veterans as well as the disabled. Ever since President Obama took office, we have not received a cost of living adjustment and that has been almost 4 years. Now I am to understand they are trying to reduce it. Because they work for us, how about we reduce their saleries in this horrible economy and see how they like it. They are not hurting for money. Our taxes pay them very dear salaries and I am tired of hearing that we should give something up that we are already entitled to.
This is making me even sicker. Destroy the unions, create a peasant serf-dom,
keep the masses stupid and under your thumb. Notice how many draft dodgers or sons of the wealthy elite write our policies and direct our nation.
Bulldoze K street in DC and plant trees. It would help to get rid of the stench.
Anyone in our spending Congress should stand up, front and center and push a bill that would cut every Senator and Congressman 25% as a starter. They all, including the President ,Know how to spend to get elected but don't know how to cut the giveaways from their buddies like G.E.
Abolish all perks that the Congress have voted themselves over the years. Make them pay for all the goodies just as we have to. Mandate that they go on SS. End the golden parachute. No life time pay for one term in office. No benefits until they reach 67 years of age. Mandate that no criminal be allowed to hold office.
but i bet anything the cola raise they get wont get cut!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i say fire them all and put all vets in there, at least we know half of whats goin on!
Here is an Idea have them Close all the Bases in these Bandit of Six states this will save Uncle Sam money in the long run. With the President threatening to cut paying Social Serurity which retirees will be effected and Congress picking up the the ball and heading in that direction on redoing the way retirees get their COlA. we haven't seen one in two years. It time to clean house from the White House to the Senate and the Congress.
People just don't get it. It's not just republicans or democrats it is both parties. neither party gives a shit about military, or veterans or anyone but themselves.
Drop your pants and bend over for these two faced idiots again. The only time these idiots talk about veterans and our brave military people is at election time.
to hell with them all.
Thanks Gov Warner for STABBING veterans in the BACK when the state of VA has 21+ military installations within in it!! I say CLOSE and COMBINE the majority of these installation within another state who appreciate the cost that Vets have paid. The State of Virginia takes enough of our blood from the 100% disabled in TAXES! Virginia is one of the most fatest states were active duty and military retirees work and LIVE!!! If Virginias' think TOURISM leads the way for its economy; LET'S see what happens when the MILITARY – (ACTIVE, RETIRED and RETIRED DISABLED MOVES OUT!!!!
Sorry, I dident know Obama was monitoring these sites.
It is hard to envision a smaller COLA. We haven't had a COLA for 2 years now. Next thing you know they'll want to take back what we got in 2008. Gotta keep those benefits for the representatives, don't you know.
The House and Senate should be governed by the same rules they dish out:
Retire at 65 and only get pension based on the rate of the private sector. Have the same cola raises as medicare recipients(or lack of) pay the same taxes they are trying to raise on everyone else, have to use OBAMACARE and be rationed on medical care ,NO perks,No free plane rides, no 25 member staff that does all their work.Then they might half-way represent the people they SUPPOSEDLY ar representing. The military and their survivors are the last people that should have their tiny benefits reduced.
Why do they always take from the little person( is it because there are so many of us.How about cutting their pay? They all should be ashamed of themselves.
BECAUSE THEY CAN!!!! THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT SHAME IS!!!
If the retired and the Va dont get any raises, nobody should get any raises even the goverment. They should all be the same and get treated the same. What do they think we are ginnypigs
Here we go again!!! How can they cut my COLA when I haven't received any in four years!!! Yes, this is the 4th year without any COLA what so ever!!! Please tell me how they can cut a benefit that my family doesn't receive??? Also, I live in CA, one of the worst hit states as far as the housing market and cost of living increases is concerned. On top of that, the Federal Income Tax on my retirement pay has been increased this year by almost 1K. So, please tell me how I am expected to sacrifice more when I haven't received any increase in pay and benefits in over 4 years????? Also, the cost of SBP (Survivor Benefit Plan) has increase almost every or every year since I retired almost 20 years ago and if I outlive my spouse, I don't get a cent of that money returned to me. Where is all of that money going? I'll tell you where it's going, it's going to all the retired lawyers who populate the house and senate and who only have to serve one term to receive this lifetime of benefits. The first cut in benefits should be to these people who sit around and bicker about who they are going to screw next. So, if the "6" can take a salary and benefit cut then so can I, but that will never happen. The people of the US should realize that other nation's citizens pay much, much more income taxes than we do and be willing to pay more to keep the US of A the greatest nation in the world. Though it should still start with the richest people first and not the broken backs of the middle class.
If they want to lower the COLA, raise, how about making retirement pay tax free!!!
I hope the entire Congressional body and the Presidential staff are also scheduling some very significant pay cuts for themselves. The last thing I want to learn is that they are all getting raises and bonuses.
Deleting mine too.
The lousy beaurocrats only care about their own pockets and how to make them deeper, they should cut their own pay and retirement, they should be on their own state welfare since their own state supports them and why can’t they take military hoops instead of flying commercial that’ll save us whole lofts $’s there
Jimmy
I don"t know what you said. I think it is time to march on Wash
Odas
The debt ceiling was raised 7 times under Bush and nearly 80 times since 1960, every family has to live in their means…so should the country. It’ time to start electing mature representatives.
When are the People of this great nation going to wake up. It is time for the next Revolution for this Era. The people has had enough. The men and wemon who has fought and gave everything for this Land has had enough. The Government of the people should be serve the people, and the people of the Government needs to wipe this slate clean. Enough is Enough, I know everyone has fallen in a great sleep of complancency. Please, wake the Hell up. If you are a Veteran, then you need to be one of the leaders to take charge. The President was correct when he said that we need change, We need to make a complete overhall of this Great Nation. Even our ForFathers new that a Revolution would be needed someday when the Government became too big, too corrupt, and just too powerful. My God people, let us take back what is ours and create the Nation for the People, by the People as it was meant to be.
I AM awake trying to get others around me to act with me – most have no clue as to what is going on in their country – I agree enuff is enuff – we need a veteran party kinda like the Tea PArty to work on our interests in conjucnction with them?
If it was Necassary I would be willing to take a large cut in my retirement but our representitives, enators, President and thier staffs should have thier pay and retirement reduced at least 1/3 If they have served in those offices in the last 40 years. None of them made any great sacrifices as the military does Many of us also recieve Social security. Last year the raised our cost for health care and didnt even count that as a cost of living. They all need to be run out of office and replaced as far as I am concrned. of coursre it would be better if we required them to earn retirement on the same scale as we do. After they have served 20 years they would get 2 1/2 percent X number of years served. If they had not served at least 20 years they should not get any retirement..
Just goes to show how much our politicians appreciate the retired members of our military.
Maybe if their jobs were on the line, and their benefits where going to be cut.
OH , I forgot their politicians.
The politicians seem to forget that they live in a free country thanks to us the military Veterans and Retirees. They need to quit playing with people pockets and with the military families ways of living.
If they want to cut a chunk of the DoD budget they can do so by bringing our troops home. Let's fight the war from the inside by protecting our borders, and by taking care of the american families that need it the most. Reduce welfare and other privileges, but don't deprive current and former soldiers of what we rightfully earned.
Carlos. Well said. God Bless our soldiers and their families.
Screw the docile seniors and retirees while giving themselves great benefits and raises.— This is the way our government works. Downsize the government, stop printing phony money, disband the unacountable FED, REALLY investigate the fraud in elections. Stop trying to police and democratize the world and, instead, have our troops defend our home shores. Monetizing the debt? Ridiculous! What is occurring is going to presage MASSIVE INFLATION. We shall become a nation of dependent paupers enslaved to an unfeeling government ruled by the likes of despicable Soros puppets. Our forefathers are rolling over in their graves.
I think they should take all the perks away from the politicians and this would save trillions. Those that served in the armed services for over 20 years plus should get the perks.
VOTE OUT THE GANG OF SIX THEY HATE THE MILITARY,VA,RET.AND VOTE OUT ANY WHO WISH TO CUT OUR LITTLE RETIREMENT CHECKS,THEY GAVE TRILLIONS TO CORRUPT SOURCES AND WE PICK UP THE TAB.VOTE! REMEMBER WHO THEY ARE, AND VOTE THEM OUT OR THEY WILL MAKE YOUR LIFES MISERABLE FOR SURE.
How’s all that hope and change working for you now? The terrorist in the white house plans for redistribution of wealth is slowly taking shape!
Yea, I blame the the president and congress, they both hate the Military,Ret , Va.At least Bush gave us a cola raise, this president gave us nothing in two years and it still did not help the economy,now they want to cut more.Get rid of them and vote them out, all of them!
Its time we all let idiots who think that the military should not get any benefits know that they do not have a right to freedom. Freedom is a benefit that we the military can take away at anytime, in the same way they want to cut our checks. Tell them freedom and democracy is a benefit and not an entitlement and that we want to take it away from them. Write the Generals and let them know that they have a duty to protect us soldiers from all enemies both foreign and domestic. That is a promise that we all had to sware to when we joined the service. I am peaved and I am 100% disabled veteran who served this blasted unworthy country.
Vote everyone that is presently in office out when their election time rolls around. Everyone in both party and the president too. "GO GREEN, RECYCLE CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT".
I am a Marine Corps Viet Nam vet and while serving during the Tet offensive in Kha Shan in 1968 I don't remember complaining when we engaged in hand-to-hand combat when the Viet Con tried to over run us, but now after serving my country it really pisses me off that my country could care less about all those who have served faithfully. These selfish, narcissistic politicians have quickly forgotten all those who have served this country… My suggestion is that the politicans in Washington learn how to lead by example. ie; let them take the first pay cuts and then the rest of the country can follow.
Andy: Great post and thank you for your service. Vietnam was your and my war – everyone, except perhaps many of this countries leaders, has a war. After all, we've been at war more than we have at peace.
letter from the congress to all retiree's. please die we need you money
We veterans and/or retired military were once a fighting force, unequaled in the world. We need is to do organize, solidify and stop waiting for the other guy to make noise. If you wait, the political steamroller will run you over and you'll be stuck with whatever crumbs are left on the economic table. I'm ready to fight are you? I'm ready to march on Washington! Are you? Can you imagine what we can bring to bear on the HACKS that want to do this to us. We put them in and WE CAN TAKE THEM OUT!
When are we going???
It's way past time to start this. There are more than a million of us, and if this could get off the ground in a freally big way, it might open some eyes.
But, we would be met by resistance by the Whit House's National Guard and likely be shot.
We veterans and/or retired military were once a fighting force, unequaled in the world. We need is to do organize, solidify and stop waiting for the other guy to make noise. If you wait, the political steamroller will run you over and you'll be stuck with whatever crumbs are left on the economic table. I'm ready to fight are you? I'm ready to march on Washington! Are you? Can you imagine what we can bring to bear on the HACKS that want to do this to us. We put them in and WE CAN TAKE THEM OUT!
I agree, we need to march on DC and show those elected people who the real people are !!
God why can't we all get together to make a difference????
I have gone to independent and I am still discussed with them all.
VOTE THEM ALL OUT IN THIS NEXT ELECTION!!! We need new
blood and need to get rid of these old guys who are so comfortable
in their bubble
Take Social Security limit is $106,000 per year. What about all the
rest who make the big salaries??? They don't pay only until
106,000. If there was no limit on social security who would be
paying??
The only way to get to these deficating , self serving hogs away from the trough is to vote them out. We must form one voice from our millions.
I was wondering, do the people who decide if the cost of living has gone up or not; do they have to pay for their own gas, or pay for a gallon of milk? I don’t think they do, or if they do, it is put on their expense account, and they don’t even look at the prices. The cost of living as increased to the point where I had to stop driving; I can’t afford the gas. Yet my check has not changed on the past three years, what a disgrace.
discontinue foreign aid to the country that people just continue to breed like mice and have zero to contribute to the world affairs except cry to every one that they cannot even support them self. yet they continue only to produce more people that that need to be supported by us and others for no good reason. and as STRANGE as it seems , most are BLACK AS IS MY PRESIDENT . as said before hand WE as military should vote in a block. I do say shame on our reps in our Govt. the forgotten line seems to be , OUR GOVT , the people.>
To all politician this is your best time to lead by example. Take a cut of your pay and allowances instead of the veterans/retirees they have been doing it
all along.
Ppl ppl ppl I wish you would understand the illuminati have a plan for the country already. I’ll tell you what it is and if don’t comprihend or believe then do your own research. It’s called the new world order, the illuminati run the world and are driving our country to dept so we no chose but to make a new world order and join other select country’s and be one. You or anyone don’t have a say so just accept it
I love how the government talks about making cuts to everyone that works or worked for a living, but keep on handing out money to scammers on welfare, not a mention of it, yet they sit at home with their government paid cell phones, yes cell phones. I guess a cell phone has become a need not a want. I know of people that claim kids and their spouse or ex actually has custody. And by the way this is free money. Try to get a good paying job and you get drug tested, get hurt at work and get drug tested. Sit at home and lie to the government and collect a check get hurt and they cover you, and no drug test. Take a couple on welfare and a couple where both make minimum wage, who is living better? I'd bet on the welfare frauds.
not to mention if they don't send out our VA disability and retirement checks. the welfare people will still get theirs.
stop congress and senate from collecting social security! they dont pay into it yet recieve it, cut their pay in half! this should cure the dept, also when they leave office make them give the govt back all the money left in their "war" chests. Leave the military, and social security ALONE! gang of 6, bet none of you get reelected!
if veterans benifits are cut we should march on Washington
Ask congress if they have served and what sacrifice they have made.
The Gang of Six may be making a big mistake messing with the Military. They are the strength of our nation.
You don't hear of any of them taking a pay cut
We were all in the military and knows what we as Retirees, and Veterans' must do is, too not let our electives in DC, run away with our bennys.
We must wright them and let them know that, riding the backs of retirees and vets must stop, and in your wrightings, make them aweare of how they got there, by you fighting for your cuntry which they sent you to defind.
I wright them and get good replys, not mock mail.
Think of how much the debt would be reduced if Congress & the Senates all lived on a fixed income and didn't receive any increased in pay during their tenure in office. Bet that would save a bundle. But no, they always get theirs and cut those on fixed incomes.
Mississippi made the dreadful mistake of voting out Congressman Gene Taylor who single handedly crafted and passed TRICARE for Life and….single handedly derailed DOD's own plans to dramatically increase premiums for TRICARE. All this to vote a Democrat out. He was a sound man that voted for us every single time!!! Now here it is to haunt you.
Why are they doing this to us wanting to take away what we earn protecting them and our country. Maybe if WE ALL getting together and speak up or even if we start a recall.
Speak up AND recall
a real vet who wants to be president will never be elected you cant run the country like you all say cause you will be monitored , the others wont let you play the right way……you know what i mean…………
Our representatives have beaten our morale down to the point that they will cause a revolt or we will be caught off guard to be able to defend ourselves for our enemies.
We need to limit terms of office for our representatives in the congress as we limit the president term of office.
We need to act now, I mean to act now to get rid of these forever incumbents who do not care about us. We cannot wait until election day.
I wonder how many legislatures we have in office and how many of their sons and daughters have served our country's armed forces?
I have many more comments but we need to get together and follow-up on what we say now and do something to reverse what has taken place with these people.
This is the result of people trusting the Government, Leaving people in office until they die, How many in the house or senate have a clue about what you do as a soldier. We need to get off our butts and get involved, only then will they listen to us.
Well that is what get when the majority of Senators and Congressmen Inculiding women in the Senate and Congress never served in the military
Congress can mess with our retirement and veteran benefits but we, the ones that have put our lives on the line in harmes way, can't and don't have a say about the $3000 pay increase that they have the balls to give themselves. This is what I get for spending 33 years for my country. Maybe congress should put themselves in our shoes and see how they like it.
TOO TRUE TO PRINT…
Time for a major change with those we elected, we need leader that lead by example, the nation is going to pay the price for years inept nd corrupt politicans, leaders who stand up and say we must all sacrifice, but I have not heard of our elected officials what they intent to sacrifice except us.
so how much are retirees cola going to be?
IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT START AT THE TOP,CUTTING ALL REPRENSETATIVE STAFF,THEIR BENEFITS,THEIR BUDGET AND GET RID OF THE JOB NOT NEEDED,LIKE EMPLOYEES MAKING COFFEE,DELIVERING MESSAGE AND THEIR PENSION WE WOULDNOT BE IN THIS SITUATION,EVERY TIME THE GOVERNMENT TALK ABOUT MAKING CUTS,THE MILITARY/VETERANS BE THE FIRST TO BE CUT ISN'T THERE OTHER CUTS TO BE MADE WITH CUTING OUR MILITARY MEMBER BENEFITS
OUR LIFE AND SACARIFE NOTHING BUT A UGLY WORD TO THE ELECTED OFFICIAL,EVERY TIME A SITUATION COME UP ABOUT MAKING CUTS THE MILITARY/RETIREES/DISABLE VETERANS BE THE FIRST TO BE CUT.I GUESS THE REASON IS THAT NOT TO MANY IN THE ELECTED OFFICIAL HAS EVER SERVED OR HAS FAMILY MEMBER IN THE MILITARY OR FAMILY MEMBER THAT GOT INJURY IN THE MILITARY AND THEY DONT KNOW WHAT IT LIKE ,IF WE COULD AFFORD TO KEEPOUR FAMILY MEMBER OUT OF THE MILITARY WE WOULD,
In truth this is just their way of raising taxes. No other reason, so don't try to bullshit us. Vote them out.
if they had lived a military life they would have second thoughts about dumb stuff like this.
When have you truely seen our Representatives look out for the people of this country. It is all about special interest and big business. Have you seen any cuts in their pay or reduction in their health care benefits? NO, you have not. If the people in this country would just stand up and use the power of voting, This is the only way it will change. Billions of dollars are sent over seas every year of tax payer money, tax credits are provided to big oil with record profits. STOP WITH THE HAND OUTS & TAKE CARE OF THIS COUNTRY.
This is a simple fix. Military retirees and social security recipients should get an annual COLA equal to the pay raises Congress and the Senate gets for itself. And if COLAs were based on the service provided to the country the retirees should get more than double what Congress gets! Then see what they do. And since the Republicans refuse to allow tax rates on the wealthy to go back to where they were before the Bush tax cuts they are effectively increasing taxes and costs on those of us making less than $100k/year, screwing us again and again!
They will cut where they will have the least trouble from the ones they cut. When was the last time you saw Soldiers, Military Retirees, Veterans, and Social Security retirees rioting in the streets?
The real solution is to get the hell out of Iraq and Afghanistan now and save the billions that we are throwing away in a fools errand…..
Nero fiddles while Rome burns…..
They cut Social Security and retiree's pay but they do not think about cutting or stopping their pay. If they cut their pay for just one month I am sure they will know what it feels like to try and live on that. Then they will know what Social Security and retiree's try and live on every month. They seem to forget that we payed into Social Security and spent time making sure this country was safe for them to sleep at night. I seem to remember that they do not pay into Social Security so why do they need to worry about it.
Reember, when it comes to $$$ they go after where they can get the most from. They don't care about commitments that CONGRESS made at whatever time. They are going to raise the tax on the middle class and then add more taxes on products and services that won't be seen by the naked eye (but they will be there) again it is all in the numbers.
Adjustments need to be made everywhere. If Congress actually went through every line of the federal budget and made consistent and reasonable cuts then this proposal isn't off base. Unfortunately government promises, including military pensions and benefits, aren't sustainable. If every special interest group says leave me alone and get everyone else, we are no where which has been the problem as more and more goodies get added to the pile year in and year out.
And these are the same folks that want to try "The Rocket" for not telling them the truth about steroid use. Maybe if they spent more time worrying about what they were elected to accomplish and stayed the heck out of other things – just maybe they would get something done. That whole 'glass house and rock' comment comes to mind for the folks inside the beltway.
Our federal system has evolved into an elitist ruling class that is completely uncoupled from taxpayers, voters, and citizens at large. There will be no such cuts, restrictions, or encumbrances placed upon them without a Constitutional Ammendment (TBD), term limits, and a return to the actual intentions the founders had in setting apart a few to perform “public service”.
PLEASE!!!!!!!! Email to your Congressman and Senator!!!!!!! We can make a difference. Google will get you the contact information very simple. Thanks! NOW PLEASE JUST DO IT.
Do you HONESTLY think they listen or care??? I'm sure it's file 13…
I have a couple times now and have received nothing, not even acknowledgement that I sent something in.
We as veterans need a strong voice in the USA to show the bozos in Congress that we earned our benefits by serving our country. If there are any budget cuts maybe a reduction in Congressional pay and term limits need to be voted on by the retired milirary members. This vote will be ignored by the mass media because they are in bed with the government but if the veterans make enough waves maybe that will flush the crap out of the government.
We need to create a website for all veterans to be able to express
their desires and send our demands to the congress and the pres.
We need our benefits and occasional raises to be able to survive.
I am at the point of not being able to put food on my table every day.
My family goes without food 3 sometimes up to 5 times a week!@!!@!@@
I am a 100% disabled 22 year Navy veteran. If congress, reps, and the president put all his taxes and cuts into action, I will change my address
to the nearest bridge, and no joking intended!!!
This crap is getting to a lot of people, and it seems to me that's what they want, like Viet Nam, The more soldiers that died over there, the better the economy. Don't give them the satisfaction…A man told me a few days ago, "They have gotten to where they will kill their own mother to make a point". You take away disability, Social Security and Military pay, that will happen fast. It will come down to, do you want to eat of pay for medicine? If it goes on long enough, we will die. That's what they want…Kill off 55 Million Americans? Good for the economy?
I don't know about anybody else but my butt is really starting to hurt.
because the don't want an up rising of the people. on there hands. keep the people down for our good. not thiers.
The need for an uprising keeps getting larger and larger…. We could use baseball bats to get their attention..
why is this even a discussion?? 22 years of my life to serve my country and all we get in return are cuts (in) what little benefits we do get??
Those who served on the Nimitz remember—-BOHICA!
They give raises at the top level and continue to punish the veterans. It's time for a march on Washington to show our legislators just how many lives they are fooling with. I like my Senators, but just might be ready to vote them all out. Start the cuts from the top and work your way down.
If I am not mistaken, it was the previous administration who decided to pursue a war with Iraq instead of going after the culprit responsible for 9/11., that cost us billions of dollars. How can the blame now be shifted to the current administration when the financial state of our country was eroding when he came into office? Reading some of the comments here, clearly shows how divided or should I say how racism is still showing its ugly head in this country.
Maybe you should be looking at how spending by this administration has increased 3 fold. All those bailouts, no taxes for GM or Chrysler. This administration has taken the USA down the path to a kenyan style government. The very rich ruling class and their buddies and the rest of the people in abject poverty always under threat of confiscation!!
Bush administration $1.6 million spent per day
Obama administration $4.3 million per day.
Pjuke
ARE KIDDING ME??
This has absolutely NOTHING to do with race, it has EVERYTING to do with what is right and wrong!!
When can we start blaming this Obama in stead being a racist and blame Bush the man has been in office for enough time to fix it I voted for him and not one promise has been kept.Maybe in another year and half anyone can do better
dont they ever get tired of getting on the little,guy ill compair my retired check with any one in the senetor pay
If we were in this fix through no fault of politicians I would have no problem sacrificing my COLA. However, the truth is politicians reckless spending and insane policies is what has caused the problem, now they want us to sacrifice for their incompetence and corruption. Barely a day goes by that I don't hear of some government money going to pay for some silly grant that most likely benefits no one except the person who applied for it.
Come on now guys. You have all been around long enough to learn that it’s “Mind overMatter”. They don’t mind and we don’t matter. We do not make up a large enough voting block to change the outcome of most elections so in the words of our fearless POTUS, “….just sit in the back of the car and shut up.”
Politicians pay for nothing, there medical is taken care of for life, they don’t even have to sign up for the recently signed new medical plan signed by the president. Why not ask them to switch to that plan, just watch them clam up and hide under their desks. Pensions for life even if only serving one term in office, these benefits go on and on, to many to list. If any of this is not true, please let me know. I’m beginning to think most politicians are nothing but modern day crooks with spending our hard earned money for just about anything.
what about all of our money going to other countries (some who hate the US) while our politicians can’t even take care of it’s own people, thousands homeless, people going without food, etc. etc. When there’s some kind of natural disaster around the world, who’s the first to send help, of course the US. When the US has some kind of natural disaster who’s the first to help us out around this world, NO ONE.
I’m so fed up with our self serving politicians.
I am not retired military but I spent 10 or so years in there until it was clear that I was not giving my family all they needed on military pay and got out. I am now on Social Security and my wife is on Social Security and Military survivors annuity plus Civil Service Retirement. We make a lot more than some folks who are on Social Security but still we feel it is only right that we be given the COLA as the prices sure as hell have gone up on the items we need to live on. If all of you who are blogging here today and everyday on all the issues of the day would only pick up the phone and call the no good Congressmen/women who stroll the halls of Congress demanding they either take away their Raise for this year plus the raise they allowed their people working for them or your vote is going to be to kick their asses out of their cushey assed jobs come election time. Make the phone ring and bitch to high heaven. A bitchin soldier is a good soldier is what they said in my day.
why did all house and senate get a $3,000 raise no cola and why do they have their medical seperate from the american people. it's time they all go and let the american people take this over.
These DC'ers work for us. It's time we make them know it. VOTE 'EM OUT,
ALL OF THEM! We need to stop %#tching about this problem and as voters do something about this cancer in DC eating OUR money up on aid to country's that hate our guts but take our bucks! Proud Vietnam Vet!
As a retired military person I believe that retired persons are more patriotic than regular citizen and should be willing to take a fair cut in benefits that would be spread across the board for all citizens. We are a greedy people, always wanting more more More MORE! That is why we have this problem.
I'm tired of walking around with a bullseye on my head. It seems that retired people are taking all the shots this year. Do they realize that we worked and sacraficed already and now that we are retired we deserve and have earned the rewards they promised us. Maybe if congressmen and senators would pay their own health insurance and stop giving themselves raises and tax breaks they would be able to give us the small COLA that we deserve. I think they need to turn their attention to other areas and stop targeting retirees!!!!
why am i not surprised. we give billions to foreign countries yet we again take away from our military retired and active duty. there is something really wrong with establishing policy for military then all of a sudden changing it because they have screwed up financially. why don't members of congress and the house all take a 10% deduction in their wages instead of putting the screws to the military.
We voted them in,now lets vote everyone in office out.I always vote the one in office out and try and get new meat in,most often when they get elected they change ( for the money ).They all get rich up there.Send them all home after 1 term.I'll bet things will change then.Vote them out and make sure they return to their home state,not hang around in Washington.D.C. I mean go home and stay there,none of them are any good .
Don't forget these same politicians are the ones who try to have your vote in elections invalidated or NOT counted. Democrats are the worst when it comes to having enforcement on the offending states that totally disregard the law.
Democrats always select military, retirees and seniors to "throw off the cliff" as an obama paid ad campaign aired on TV.
I have a couple of birthdays left (I think) I'm going to circle the wagons, enjoy what time is left and leave…I've done all I can do or care to do for this nation and its folks…enjoy the future…if you can.
From our Declaration of Independence:
Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.–Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government.
200 years ago our forefathers new what was coming down the road. I believe they had more foresight than we give them credit for. These were mostly uneducated men that had more common sense than any politician we have today. What I wouldn't give for a Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, or any of those who possessed the courage to speak their minds and fight for our freedom.
Maybe these High paid idots in washington need to start cutting there own Perks and retirement plans. Since they all seem to have more money than brains. Its about time we vote the all of them out of office and start over. Perhaps a Volunteer only congress with no Pay for public service is in order instead of giving them red carpet treatments everywhere they go.
gorverment is from the people NOT gorverment to the people
flat tax, cut,cap, balance. Cut welfare to all bid companys, Rebuild America First, spend the rest of the STIMULS money that is still in account some where don't wait till march of next year and the rest of TARPf. foreign aid China and Russia doesnot need our help and entitlements to illegals where is our free phone, rent, food, ulities. they can work just like we did and their ansector did I work with there ansector they did not ask for free handout just work..
First, I would like to know what cuts the Senators are
making on themselves. Second, how big are their staff and how much do they pay them, and how much they are being cut. Third, how many of them are military
veterans. I could go on, but what’s the use. We didn’t
get a COLA increase last year, and I think the year prior
to that we were cut, least ways I lost money some way.
The people in DC are starting to make me sick.
CORPSMAN!
goverment of the people by the rich for the rich . they want to cut costs then i would like to see less aid to other goverments and STOP giving are hard earned money away to fatting up their bank accounts at are exp, thanks for letting me blow off some steam d. odell
Our government must stop playing games with "We the People" and continue to live up to the standards in which those before us have paid the ultimate sacrifice, and for we who have served honorably in order to keep this country free.
Our government elected nim-com-poops know the following phrases' only too well! "Panem et circenses ; bread and circuses: These days it is our politician's slogan. To find entertaining ways to distract public attention a way from more important matters."
Here's the other truth that discribes our government representative's spot on also: "A person or who acts in a manipulative and devious way, typically to gain advancement within an organization or government."
THE FASTEST AND BEST WAY TO REDUCE EXPENSES IS TO NOT START AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WAGE LADDER BUT TO START AT THE TOP OF IT FROM THE PRESIDENT ON DOWN. LET THEM TRY TO LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME FROM SOCIAL SECURITY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS AND SEE HOW FAST THEY STOP PICKING ON THE POOREST OF PEOPLE JUST GETTING BY CHECK TO CHECK AND ALSO CUT OUT ALL THEIR FREEBIES LIKE LIMO CARS AND DRIVERS AND FANCY $500 A PLATE DINNERS AND PARTIES AND PAY HOUSE NOTES AND CAR NOTES AND LIFE INSURANCE ETC., OUT OF HEIR SOCIAL SECURITY OR REG SALARY CKS WITH NO COST OF LIVING RAISES FOR THE PAST FEW YEARS AND SEE HOW FAST THEY GET THE MESSAGE OF HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVES.
I know of no other job or position in this great nation of ours where an individual draws a full retirement the same as their original wages for a measely four years of service. This must be stopped immediately, as well as taking care of all the illegal immigrants. Quit sending vast amoints of money to those countries thar despise WE THE PEOPLE.
If our benefits where tied to the Senators and House of Representatives we wouldn't have anything to worry about.
We need term limits and no retirements and benefits for our so called public servants who seem to only serve themselves.
After 22 years of service to an ungrateful country, we need to march apon Washington to make our point. You can cut so much before the s#%t house goes up in flames! We know how to do One thing right, and that’s Fight. We need to stick together and do just that.
I'm thinking we should march on Washington. Once we get there set up a perimeter around Congress. Then put up signage warning of a Free Fire Zone; unless they get their job done. Tell them to stand down on politics and actually do the work of the American people. See each week nothing happens the perimeter grows smaller; until we are forced to act as our forefathers acted with the English. I honestly believe we are not far removed from having to act and acting with extreme prejudice!!!
they are not thinking of lowering their pay are they?
Our Nation is in a very serious and complicated mess brought on by a bunch of immature and childish acting leaders of the Congress and the Administration. We are continuning to give away billions of dollars that we don't have by borrowing from people who have said they will bury us and it looks to me like they are doing just that. I'm a retired Military and haven/t had a COLA in a couple of years,thats fine, but how about the folks who got us in this perdictament, The congress, the President how have they fared? Its time we kicked every one of them out of office and put in a new crew who were not professional politicians but men and women who have some common sense about running an organization.
why did they send a flight into orbit? think of all the money they could have saved by NOT launghing the last space shuttle!
I sincerely wonder if it would do any good or have any results if all military,
active/retired wrote to their Congressman/Representative and let them know
exactly how unfair and unjust their attacks on our benefits are? These
proposals of decreasing our benifits is an insult! The military vetrans earned
every penny of the so-called "promised" benifits". We need a representative
or person that is familiar with military laws to speak up to the "gang of 6" and
tell them "hands off any decrease in our benifits"
There are too many veteran organizations going in too many directions. We need one central hub. A way of letting our politicians know that we count. A way of showing our numbers and unity to let them know that if you ignore or abuse us they won’t have a job.
Why is it every time there is a problem with the economy the active members of the military and its retirees must pay for the mistakes made by the Congress? I think there should be a price to pay, and it should be paid for by the representatives who caused the problem. I thing a two (2) year moratorium on the salaries of the Congress and Senate would be a good start. No pay for these same individuals who can't compromise on how to tie a shoe. And as long as there are Tea Party Republicans and Republicans who signed the Grover Norquest pledge never to raise taxes have any say we in the military, retired military, social security recipients and any one who is a member of the middle class will foot the bills for those 2% who control the majority of the wealth in this county.
It makes no sense for our representatives to change the COLA format. How about allowing the members of the military, the military retirees, and social security recipients vote on their COLA increases. If it’s OK for the Congress to vote on their pay raises shouldn’t we have the same right? After all we are paid by the same people.
Veterans-Damn the torpedoes-full steam ahead -VOTE THEM OUT! (CPO_RETIRED)
We the people voted these sucker in,these suckers don't know how to comprise for the good of this country,They are controled by rich companies that what it all.They are the slaves masters of the past..Remember the more money the small guy spends the more you rich guys will make,so you rich guys get off your asses and put the small people to work…..
It is just a shame, we the ones who have served and those still serving to put our lives on the line for the greatest country in the world and this is how we are repaid. Shame on the higher ups and most of them have never served a day in the military. It is hard enough to make it on the pay that we get while active and only a % or so of that when you retire and get slapped in the face like this is just a disgrace. I love the experience of serving my country for 20 years but I just can't take this blatant disregard for our serving anymore. SHAME ON ALL OF YOU REGARDLESS OF WHICH PARTY YOU BELONG TO.
My husband told me I should find another way to pay for the bills next month because we might not get paid. If we don't get paid the bills won't get paid. And there will be another military house of 4 without a home. You could always use the moneys from the higher up grovernment employee. They don't need to make that much money. There should be equal pay for everyone.
I honestly don't believe there is a politician one in the House or Senate who gives a damn about Americans, service members or the elderly. They are only interested in letting big corporations or the rich (which includes representatives and senators) get away with not paying fair taxes so they can get reelected to get more money for themselves. Let's start by reducing or eliminating the retirement of representatives and senators. Where else can you retire after serving two or four years with full pay? Military put their lives on the line for 20 years to get 50%. All politcians should be made to participate in Social Security like the rest of the nation. All politicans should be made to participate in Medicare too. All politicians should be liable under all laws they pass and
not be exempt. All politicians should be voted out of office.
I truly regret my service. How could I have been so stupid as to entrust my future, and that of my family, to the american government (and people)? I actually used to believe that my country wasn't capable of such betrayal. What makes me feel really stupid is the fact that if I had simply done my research I'd have known that America has been screwing it's veterans from the very beginning. I'm a patriot without a country! I wish there was something I could do about it, but I'm stuck with it. It's the epitome of betrayal, it hurts, and I'm not talking about the monitary part of it.
Someone mentioned veterans marching on Washington? Are you aware of what happend to the WW I veterans when they tried that after being denied what they were promised? The active duty military was called in (led my General Douglas McCarthur) to dispurse them. They were literally chased away and made to disappear, and the government's denial of what it had promised them stood. Look at how the civil war veterans were treated, and how about the vietnam vets? Now there is who got screwed the hardest of all the veterans. Even the revolutionary war veterans were screwed over. That's what inspired the comment by George Washington "The country that forgets it's defenders will itself be forgotten". I know this shit now! Why couldn't I have educated myself before I wasted my life at my country's beck and call just to have it betray me?
Why is our cola based on soc. sec. anyway? I'm not saying they shouldn't get theirs but we are not drawing soc. sec!
I agree with the person that said vote them out of office show the american govt that the military and retirees have the right to get the money for the sacrifice of years of service
I feel likewe should be telling all that are just entering service or thinking of doing so to forget it. Let them know that we have gotten Nothing but liess and BS promises ever from the nations leaders of the country that we served for decades.( Are all our congressmen and senators decendents from the same pukes that spit on us and called us baby killers in the 60s)They give Millions + to save auto manufactors or inept if not corrupt bankers that make more in a day than we as individuals do in a year, then say we have to sacrifice the pittance promised and due us. We did not break the economy they did, We put our lives on the line it seems for a bunch of backstabbing , lying B*****ds. Ever since the LBJ administration started dipping into the Social Security ( that they said in 69 would never go broke) all the politicians, especially the Democrats want is to take everthing they can from us.and it would make them real happy if all us retireees would just die. As they have no use for the military until it is needed to save their asses
To all, remember, if a politician is talking, he is probably lying! If a politician promises you anything, he is probably lying! 'Nuff said!
Thanks again from a grateful nation!
It isn't the President, it is the stubborn House of Represenatives that want's cuts to the retiree's so bad. People like Majority Leader Cantor, hate disabled veterand and retired soldiers so much that he will do all in his power to reduce the benefits. I hope all the retiree's in VA vote him out next year. He thinks these negoatiations are a joke and laughs at American in every photo op he gets
Dems have suggested the cola reduction also.
why is there always money to give away to other countries but not to our OWN!!!!! does washington not realize there are many people who BARELY survive on the social secuirty or surviver benefits that are received??!!!! what an outrage! sure make the rich comfortable but make the struggling american suffer on how to manage one day at a time! this is not the way GOD expects his people to act…how can GOD bless america with all this petty back & forth childish nonsense. Washington thinks the economy is bad now – let them make the wrong choice & see where this country ends up….
Those folks in Washington DC want to make these cuts even when the Nation has
indicated that they support our Military personnel active or retired. Because they know the sacrifices that we made, to protect our nation. How come these same citizen's are not voicing their outrage of these cuts, while foriegn aid continues
unabated?
Remember veterans and retiree's Obama said it best, Its time for a change. I agree!!! Lets get out and vote the whole lot of them out of office. Just because they have been a senator or a representative for x amount of years doesnt mean they know whats right for this country. It means they know whats right for themselves and their own special interest groups. I cant believe how two faced the current government is. They go visit the troops in the middle east and tell them how much they are appreciated and then come back and vote to cut benefits and pay for them….. GET OUT AND VOTE THESE IDIOTS OUT OF OFFICE
Retirees that are divorced are paying out the nose due to the USFSPA compliments of Congress. Now they they want to take more…so much for retired pay
It really doesn't matter much what they do with the Retirement COLA, since they have promised us that they're going to take it all away every year with TRICARE fee increases. It's just idiotic.
Why, Why does the Govt have to adjust our retirement to fit the recession era money problems when Wall Street and executive of corporations and banks DON"T have to adjust one single penny. And why do the many many countries that we give so many millions and many corrupt governments are not even considered a cut. There are so many ways to cut budget without hurting and scalping the poor people that have given so much to this Govt.
you people wants republicans now you have republicans, but the good things is that they will have election again and we, the veterans and the Retirees will
remenber this actions
COMP.A 1ST.INF. DIV. if you listen to politicians you will get nuttier then what you think.think other more important matters .a still kicking vet. LUIS
No one has been able to explain to me why young men and women, who serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, only get 50% of their pay at retirement. While Politicians, who hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, receive full pay retirement after serving ONE term. It just does not make any sense.
Monday on Fox news they learned that the staffers of Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans. This will get national attention if other news networks will broadcast it. When you add this to the below, just where will all of it stop?
35 States file lawsuit against the Federal Government.
Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.
This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on.
This is an idea that we should address.
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform… in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn’t seem logical. We do not have elite that is above the law. I truly don’t care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.
If each person that receives this will forward it on to 20 people, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message. This following proposal is one that really should be passed around.
Make those in Congress pay their fair share into social security, Let all those in political office pay for theiir medical health care. All you people that voted for Obama, how do you feel about him now, He should not be re-elected, he should be impeached, kicked out of office, I proudly served 26 years in the Air Force and would have served more, but reached my high year of tenure.
I am so happy to hear the great talkin' heads of congress have come up with another way to screw the troops. Sorta reminds me, when in 'Nam, Congress said the war was too expensive, so my pay raise would be less than 2%….and gave they gave themselves a $1700 monthly pay raise. Now retired and my military retirement is less than $1700 a month. And people wonder why our congress is rated below used car salesmen and car repro drivers.
This puts the "F" in "Friendly Fire"!
We need to "Claw Back" their raises for the past 3 years and NO NEW Raises for any government officials….Local-State and Federal with no exceptions.
I say put Congress & the Senate on the COLA system and see how far they go then!II say put Conress and the Senateer text right here!
How about they kill the real drainers of the entitlement programs. Earned Income Credit is paid in multi billions a year to folks that never paid a dime in taxes and get paid for making babies. Nobody paid for me to make and raise my kids. End EIC now and you could fund a good portion of the DOD manpower budget, but it is a sacred cow to get votes. End foreign aid, except in very rare and severe need cases. Stop the cap on SS and Medicare taxes that only middle class pay for all the folks that never paid a dime into the system.
Leave the military retirees alone. If they want an all volunteer military they better open their eyes and see what they are doing.
MAC for McClain I think they all should go to HELL!!!!!!!
You will Delete this to.
Enter text right here!When everyone in Washington cuts thier benifits then I wont complain about cutting mine
Now they want to end the 20 year retirement. They want to put it on a more even status with civilian retirement. They are saying that civilians who sit at a desk everyday or screw on a bolt everytime something goes past are on the same level as a soldier who spends 20 years in Combat arms getting deployed all over the world,shot at and putting their lives on the line. Next war let the politicians go fight it. Representing the people-What a joke!
GO AFTER THE MILITARY AND THE FEDERAL WORKER, BUT IF WE ARE IN SUCH DIER STRAIGHTS, WHY ARE OUR CONGRESS MEN AND SENETORS HOME AND NOT IN WASHINGTON WHERE THEY BELONG??????????? HOW CAN THEY FIX ANYTHING?
W4AlP@aol.com I recall that the cpi computation was prevoius reduced in the 70's or 80's.
If everybody would get off their comfortable backside and Organize a MARCH on that gang of "Representatives" in Washington then maybe some some results will come about. It is time to organize and show these self serving parasites that UNITY and SHOW is stronger than sitting and whining.Sure you can complain,but nothing is better than getting in their face and making a strong showing of Unity. Call it ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!
i TOTALLY AGREE WE MUST ALL STICK TOGETHER OR KEEP GETTING CRAPED ON.i AM READY TO GO. WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO IMPEACHING ALL THESE CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS ,PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT FOR CRAPPING ON THE ONES THAT PUT THEM WHERE THEY ARE THE PEOPLE. NO MORE FOREIGN AID. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
What is the latest on cutting benefits for our elected government officials? What is the latest in reductions for aid to the world?
Hey!!!! If it aint broken don't fix it. Leave the twenty plus year retirement as it is. I can not see a lower grade soldier making contributions out of his or her pathetic income. My god isn't it clear just how much soldiers have given up. Lets just send all the poiticans to war and let them have at it!!
As for COLA……..well lets see why not have congress live on a minimal income. I just bet some thing might actually change especially if they even show up for work on Capital Hill.
Why is it everytime there is a democrat in office as president they always cut the military? My answer is to get the liberals votes and independents. They are already cutting the military again.
Thus the biggest problem is the people that voted for these liberal democrats. You are getting what you vote for, place the blame at the doorstep where it really belongs.
When I joined the Military in the 70’s I was told I could serve 20 years, retire and not have to work anymore. Well I retired but have to work to make ends meet. That’s ok but now they want to take everything from us. They first need to not give themselves a pay raise, stop the foreign aid and stop giving money to dumb organizations that want to frogs hop.
i want to know if the so called gang of six are cutting their pay. i DOUBT it very seriously. Seems like everytime something needs cut it is always the ones who can least afford it the most or the ones who PROTECTED your sorry butts from the evil in the world. Think about our lives we puton the line for you everyday, are we not worth our pay gang?
I agree with a lot of U. But what can (we) do? I have written letters and called and called…. We R the low man on the pole, I am about my end now….
Under a law enacted in 1983, all members of Congress both contribute to and receive benefits from the Social Security system. Upon retirement, members receive either a combination of federal pension and Social Security benefits or Social Security alone, depending upon when their term of service started and how they configured their individual plan
Mac is entirely correct. The military community should follow the voting record of our politicians and correct our previous mistakes at the polls.
This is truely a slap in the face. We protected our country, the President from
our ememy throughout our time serving. Now the people we protected cannot give us a little increase in Cola. Not even enough to buy a Hamburger on ocassion. We need to pray for these people. "God bless America". I still love my country.
buy a head of lettuce is more healthy now than meat remember hamburger is cancer .live like a rabbit i guess or c rations ops thats also not good soon they will tell us to lean to fly that way we do not use fuel. a war vet just trying to find something .god save our country our politicians aint.
Same old shit from our congressional leaders, always looking at ways to screw the seniors and veterans. George Bush started two wars that totally wiped out the social security funds and he draws a healthy pension for doing nothing. Maybe he, Bill Clinton, Big George Bush and Carter would give-up their pensions to help with the curreny crises.
I thought the Co stitution read we the people. Now it just means we the politicians. We the politicians don't have to take pay cuts, we the politicians get pay raises while everyone else gets taxed to pay for we the politicians to have lavish accounts. Now they the politicians want to screw up the military retirement. Just thin if we had a union for military members, we could get time and a half pay for overtime, we could vote on whether we wanted to take the job overseas and fight the fight Washington Bureaucrats send us to fight.
Ii wish we could all have the same retirement program they hav. What a bunch of clowns and morons!!!!
The whole lot should be retired on the spot with no COLA for the rest of their lives and I hope each one live to be a 100 yrs old. But then again, they are set for life with all the kick-backs they will get and are getting from those that they just gave so much of the tax-payers money too. This is just disgraceful. They close Walter Reed to save money to give to the next big company that goes bankrupt. They are taking most of the "meds" off the shelves that a vet can get at the VA. I served this country faithfully for 20 yrs only to be slap in the face by those that have never served. There is a true saying "Freedom as a flavor that the protected will never now." HOW TRUE.
All so the greedy rich and republicans can have their tax cuts. It also shows just how stupid the tea party is.
It is no the POTUS ! Use your head. It the House….POTUS is trying to protect these items for the VET, RET and Older and Poor American. But, we got caught up into not figuring things out and following our party lines. And I am a REP….they are the ones protecting the wealthy who pay low taxes on big ticket items. You have to have revenues to pay VET RET Soc Security. However, we dont want to cut back the Bush Taxes cuts that have been in affect during ten years of war ! How do you pay for wars with reduced taxes. Not blaming Bush….but both parties have a hand in this. And now the House controlled by people I elected…is worried about the top 1% who pay less taxes than thier maid ! But, they want cut VET, RET, SoSu and Medicare….use your head. It is simple….stop just taking you party word !!
I would like to know when my tax increase is going to stop going up while my check goes down. Since this joke has been in office my tax on my retirement has gone from $35.00 a month to $130.00 a month, this is a rape on my retirement and should be stopped at all cost and all us retired military should find a way to file a case against this tax increase
Cut Congressional pay by 20 % and political pensions by 25% , get out of Iraq,Iran, Afghanistan, Korea, Libya, bring the equipment home with us in the next 60 days. All NAFTA companies that took their products to Asian sweat shops, charge them a 40 % inportation tax. Stop all the under cover deals with Mexico, Guateamala, Colombia and keep the money here in the USA. Quit feeding people in Africa, give then birth control pills, feed the Americans, save their homes, give them jobs and affordable healt care. Do not tax social seurity after it was taxed as gross income in our working lives. DFo not up the cost of Medicare. Stop giving out freebies to immigrants. Stop allowing easy access through the immigrations programs, anyone coming here should be able to ttake a citizenship test, speak ,read and write english. What is WRONG with anything I said ? ? ? ? NOTHING !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's set a example Congress. You lead the way in cuts in your pay and retirements. I'm sick of the way you run our country. Let's get out of the Middle East and rebuild our country.
It is time to vote out the politicians that slober in our mail box's our front porch and email address's to get us to vote for them. We the people are who they work for ……….to do what WE want done not their ideas and what THEY want done. Once they get elected you can't get them out and they forget who you are. They get FREE medical care for life, and a 100K pension a year. Who deserves that after they retire from screwing "We The People…." It is time we take this counry back away from bad management and crooked politicians that are pantywaists !!
Chris: The politically correct description is "dysfunctional clowns".
IF ALL THE THAT WORK IN THE GOVERMENT AT THE WHITE HOUSE
WOULD PAY THERE HEALTH CARE OUT OF THERE POCKET , WAS NOT ABLE GET FILL PAY WHEN THEY LEAVE OFFICE LOOK WHAT WHAY WE
CAN SAVE,
Had things been then as they are today. THERE WOULD NO ONE IN THE
MILITARY TODAY. YOU CAN FOOL PEOPLE SOME OF THE TIME YOU CANT
FOOL THEM ALL OF THE TIME!!!!
Its not right, as the congress voted for a cost-of-living for themselves of $3,000.00 a month and we get nothing again. It goes to show where the money is.
Why don't the politicians change the the cola raises for themselves also. What's good for the goose is good for the gander!!!!!!!!!
If congress was paid for performance, we would be able to fund a full COLA and reduce the deficet. It almost makes feel embarrassed to be an american when the leaders of your country cant run it.
We will never get anybody in our Government who will help the middle people. They all say they will when campaigning to get into office, but when in, their all the same, just like Obuma. Change, there hasn"t been any, he is just like the rest of them. You can't vote the bums out, you just vote more bums in. This country will never change, we try to support the world, except our own people.The first thing they want to do is cut military pay, social security(of which they stold 4.4 trillion from) medicare, retiree pay. How about the money we sent to all the foreign countrys that hate Americans? I am just glad I am 77 years old and will not have to put up with this crap too much longer!!!!
Why don't they let the retiree people stand and talk face to face with the so called
BIG PEOPLE in CONGRESS. Do they fear us? I say sure they do because
they have no answer for our questions.
"The Obama twist of an Ant and the Grasshopper"
The ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER
This one is a little different ….
Two Different Versions …
Two Different Morals
The OLD VERSION
The ant works hard in the withering heat and rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.
The grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.
MORAL OF THE OLD STORY:
Be responsible for yourself!
Obama's New Hope Version:
The ant works hard in the withering heat and the rain all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The grasshopper thinks the ant is a fool and laughs and dances and plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while he is cold and starving.
CBS, NBC, MSNBC, PBS, CNN, and ABC show up to provide pictures of the shivering grasshopper next to a video of the ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
continued below
America is stunned by the sharp contrast.
How can this be, that in a country of such wealth, this poor grasshopper is allowed to suffer so, while an ant lives so well?
Kermit the Frog appears on Oprah with the grasshopper and everybody cries when they sing, 'It's Not Easy Being Green…'
continued below
ACORN stages a demonstration in front of the ant's house where the news stations film the SEIU group singing, We shall overcome.
Then Rev. Jeremiah Wright has the group kneel down to pray for the grasshopper's sake, while he damns the ants.
President Obama condemns the ant and blames President Bush 43, President Bush 41, President Reagan, Christopher Columbus, and the Pope for the grasshopper's plight.
Nancy Pelosi & Harry Reid exclaim in an interview with Larry King that the ant has gotten rich off the back of the grasshopper, and both call for an immediate tax hike on the ant to make him pay his fair share.
continued below
Finally, the EEOC drafts the Economic Equity & Anti-Grasshopper Act retroactive to the beginning of the summer.
The ant is fined for failing to hire a proportionate number of green bugs and, having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes, his home is confiscated by the Government's Green Czar and then given to the grasshopper.
The story ends as we see the grasshopper and his free-loading friends finishing up the last bits of the Ant's food while the government house he is in, which, as you recall, just happens to be the Ant's old house,crumbles around them because the grasshopper doesn't bother with trying to maintain it.
The Ant by now has closed his business and moved to a more business friendly country, never to be seen from again.
The grasshopper is found dead in a drug related incident, and the house, now abandoned, is taken over by a gang of spiders who terrorize and ramshackle the once prosperous and peaceful neighborhood.
The entire Nation collapses bringing the rest of the free
world with it..
continued below
I guess they won't let me finish the story it keeps getting deleted by the administrator. I don't know why. It is a good story.
JUST FORGET ALL THE PROMISED RETIREMENT BENEFITS AND JUST GIVE US WHAT THE SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN GET!!!!!!
j pew
why don't we cut congresses pay they voted thierselfs a pay raise every year and cut the militaries every time.Also stop giving money to our enemies and other countries.Let feed and take care of the USA
How about stopping the welfare instead of messing with the military retirees pay all the time., and take a pay cut for congress to cut the budget instead of them voting themselves a raise everytime they feel like it.
my comment was not racist check the record
I've GOT to be unique…the ONLY retiree living (residing) outside the USA. Insult to injury to insult again. TRICARE, is not available to us "foreign" retirees unless we're enrolled in Part B MEDICARE….which doesn't cover any care OUTSIDE the USA. Now I can look forward to a pre-planned retirement decrease? My paying for Part B medicare is equavalent to making a donation to the US government.. This applies to ALL Tricare programs after one reaches age 65. NO exceptions. Look it up for yourself. I'm just another "damned old enlisted retiree". I get appreciation, but that's hard to spend at the Commissary and Exchanges overseas.
This politicians and really begin to piss me off!!!! Cut their pay first…lead by example and get rid of Obama
Stop screwing over the military, if you want a big chunk out of the deficit, start with cutting all elected federal government officials pay in HALF. And stop all the unnessesary foreign aid BS. Kick out all the present Congress and POTUS and get rid of the electoral college and have REAL voting. And have it where Congress can only serve a max of 6 years.
And today I saw on the news that the Oregon Senator, forced to resign due to sex with a teanager, is to received over a million in retirement pay and allowances! Do the right thing, follow the rules, play fair, and the government comes after you. Cheat the system and you get rewarded.
As a potential retiree, I think this should be a grandfathering type of situation. If you are already retired, keep the CPI the way it is. If you retire after the changes, go with the new CPIUI. Our Govt is broke…due to paying so much interest on debt. Also, lets vote for a candidate that has a 40 year plan or whatver year plan to pay off ALL US Debt, and balance the budget as soon as the debt is payed off. That will give us confidence as consumers and also give plenty of time for the next few generations to think about their job choices and shift our society from a "government owes me mentality." Military does a heck of a lot…and doesn't ask for much in return!
OK, I'll accept it…only if congress and every politician base their pay raises on the same thing. No more voting themselves raises.
only in AMERICA
I remember being an E-7 on Food Stamps in the 80's. I did 30 yrs and am PROUD of it. Yup, the demi-gods in DC would rather cut benifits not only for Vets but ALL elderly in general, and lets not forget cuts in education for those who will be our FUTURE. THEY ( the demi-gods )have nothing to worry about for they are well covered. Yup, lets send more aid to countries that would rather have us outta their country than in it instead of taking care of business at HOME. Time to quit being the big brother of the world, its a thankless job. We do less for and have less respect for our elderly than most of the so called industrialized nations.
Surprise, surprise. They did it again. Screw the captive audience that has no recourse but to keep on getting screwed by the same guys that come to military funerals and awards ceremenies with all the great speeches (prepared by a staff member ofcourse) and then go back to DC and screw you out of your meager retirement and benefits. Don't ever listen to what a politician says, watch what he does.
Well I keep hearing how the suicide rate amongst military members gets to be more and more. Taking more and more from the men and women who sacrifice and have given so much all around; the suicide rate is only going to continue to rise. These bad decisions need to stop.
Wow everytime they discuss cutting back military pay and or COLA for retirees it seems like they leave their(congress) pay alone. I hope some day that the United States can establish a fair and just government but I know that day won't be soon with all the clowns we have in there now.
So who voted for this guy
We elect people to run our government that have never served our country one day then expect them to respect the people that have served in the military, It just won't happen becouse they have no idea what we have given to our country.If they havn't served in the military don't vote for them. our senators and represenatives vote themselves huge raises and then want to cut military pay and retirement VOTE THEM OUT.
This is a sad state of affairs. The people we ellect to help us and speak for us are so eager to throw us under the bus so fast. I sereved 24 years in the Army and am a combat vet, and am retired, and after doing what I thought was right, now they want to cut my pay and allowances when I need it the most. If they are so serious about cutting spending, why don[t they start by leading by example, cut their pay, allowances benefits and raises. Lead by example, thats the sign of a true leader. WORDS ARE CHEAP!!!nter text right here!
Sad, sad, sad………..I agree with eliminating foreign aid and any other "hand out" to other countries. Congress should go on the military pay scale and benefits…….we would see how they "cut" then. Why do they believe they are "better" suited for pay and benefits than the people that elect them?
I am retired and this year my retirement take home actually went down by about 40 bucks. What gives?
Your income taxes were increased!! What other group of retirees had their federal income taxes increased? As far as I know, not one other group of retirees had their taxes increased! Correct me if I'm wrong!
I am 21 1/2 year AF enlisted retiree who depends on his retired pay and little social security payment each month to rent a cheap apartment, pay utility bills, running bills, insurance life, health and car plus a car payment on a 2004 vehicle with bad brakes I cannot fix due to shortage of funds. I have approx. $204 left each month for food and incidentals (toiltry etc.) I am now 78 yrs old with repaired heart and cannot work. My next step is homelessness and ill health. Thanks congress/. L. C. Wichmann TSg Retired.
This is just another example of what this administration thinks of our military retirees.
Take away & diminish our military's/veteran's benefits, retirement & health care & what do you get? NO MORE VOLUNTEERS, no more 20 year vets, NO MORE personnel proficient in their jobs. Where will our military be then? We will NO LONGER be the strongest military in the world. Our government representatives better listen & take to heart what is being said by all the respondents here…YOU are EXPENDABLE!!! YOU are supposed to be representing the needs of your constituents, those who keep this country free!
WTF is wrong with these people. Get to your representatives now and let them know how much a retiree needs the little COLA we haven't had in two years. Not the military, not Social Security, not federal employees, but oh yes all of congress… total BS & i won't even go into their retirement after one term & their free medical & all kinds of bennies……They SUCK!!!!!!!!!
It's a disgrace how our legislators treat our war wounded. They voted themslves a 4% increase last year. We received nothing, plus we received nothing the year before. My electric bill went up 22%, fuel, double that, food, 20%. My little bag of Dunk'in Donuts went up $3.00 in the last month. They pull the cola increase out of clear blue sky. If they need 4% on their hefty salary, what do you think us shot up vets need…0% sound fair to you?
LETS BLAME the entire CONGRESS! Please Lets stay focussed not becoming divided with blaming one person, group or thing.
Everett Sr.
I guess the Tea Party is working hard to reduce the budget. My son is a Tea Party Member. I will tell him to send all of the Tea Party Members back to their
hometown to drink tea as that is about all they can do. I voted for one here in Georgia, but no more. It appears they are going to distroy the Volunteer Armed
Forces by changing the retirement system. I spent 38 years with the U.S. Army and working for the U.S.Army for an additional 17 years where I paid into the retirement system. How dare the take away my retirement. I would
politic to remove all 435 members of congress.
thanks ev
When every war ends or is about to finish, we find the leader in both party
getting ready to gut the va. budgets. The veteram. va. budget has been under heavy pressure sent these war began. I see no sacfice by the rich, or are goverment leadership. What would happen if next time are goverment want to
host a war and we forgot to come.. G.I. Joe
As I read the comments on hear, our senators and congressmen, will never read or care about them! The only way is to go back to the old way their are more of use than them, Vet. March on DC make them hear use! Make the New hear us, tell them they are fired! WE WANT CHANGE!!!!!!!! SHORTER TERM IN OFFICE, LETTER THE VOTER DESIDE THERE RAISES, NO MORE 14% RAISES FOR THEM AND 2%FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN DEADING FOR OUR COUNTRY! TALK IS CHEAP WE NEED ACTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!
yups…… we want change……. Hooah!
What do you expect from a president and his cronies who are closet Socialist .
They all think they know what is good for you better than you do . Socialism does not work . Ask all of our European allies, I forgot that except for Germany they are all broke. What they are trying to do to the military is disgraceful , but not unusual They did the same thing to every veteran from WW I on . Why don't the Congress and Senate wake up and realize the money they spend doesn't belong to them , it belongs to the people
why does the co pay keep going up at the v.a.? why is there a co pay? when i entered the army , i was told if i stayed for 20 yrs that i would be cared for. not true.
1986 – Disneyland 1 day adult admission – $12.00, parking $2.00
2011 – Disneyland 1 day adult admission – $80.00, parking $15.00
1986 – E-8 retired pay 20 yrs,+ a few months $975.00 BEFORE TAX
2011 – Same pay + COLA = $1942.00 BEFORE TAX
Cost of going to Disneyland 1986 to 2011 up 678.6%
Retired pay 1986-2011 up 199%
What the retired pay should be to have maintained my Disneyland admission purchasing power – $6616.00 a month
let's defend americans and the constitution, and take bullets for government workers and congresmen, and get treated like we are welfare recipients. gee, that is fair!
only one more day then we are all screwed
Why hasn't the discussion of cutting cost at congress, senate and the house budgets ie…… clothing cost, pork barrels, hidden amendments for there buddies/families or what ever you call them. I thought the congress, senate and house were all on salary pay. Then why do we pay them extra for their so called extras. Sounds like the President needs to clean his houses first before trying to clean ours. Wow what about those who get payed to sleep in congress while on duty … maybe there should be a retirement age set for our representatives … like 65. oh and the thought that congress says lets give the President the power to make the difficult decisions, then why do we need them at all… were do i get this stuff … well i watch the news … ??? what to believe anymore …
watch out Senator Colburn is working a bill that will raise our tricare costs to over 3500 per year for a family, he also wants to destroy the Commasary by taking away the governmanet subsidys it gets each year. if i did not know better i would say they hate the very people that defend this country, it would not be so bad if we were not being forced to pay for Obama and the dems over spending each year cut it back to 2008 levels the make cuts from there.
a Military career is not the same as working at your local Mcdonalds.
cutting spending ! Well lest see,probably bout 7000,000.dollars per day for security just so the first lady / and daughter could meet nelson mandella on his 93rd b-day,at least that much so mr.nobama could go in person to sign the registry in norway after that idiot went postal on all those children,instead of calling or sending a card or a wire to offer his condolences. did`nt hear of any other leader making the trip! and all the top entertainers and guest given @ the white house?Where has all of our money gone? Don`t matter let`s get it from our veterans,They`ll never miss it
O'boy now our politicians have 300 billion to spend on their pay raises and what ever other quirks they may come up with.
this is another game being played gingich`s contract with america just with a new wrapper when then this so called public servants cut thier benifits and retirement the level of enlisted personnel
I am a 20+ year retiree; and a VietNam veteran….I'm sorry to say it, but I'm sorry I served. I love this country but its' government ? (unprintable). I am also an agent orange victim, but the VA is doing all in its power to deny that I was ever exposed, even though I have documented proof. God bless America – God d..m the government.
K-Y for Congressmen/Congresswomen and US Senators. Wish I had a way to send a tube of lube to those "representing" me in the legislature. LOL, we're gonna get screwed anyway, why not try to make it less painful. Hope this is "socially acceptable" and within other tolerances of the Commenting Policy.
Al Cooper, TSgt, USAF (Retired)
This all reminds me of the wealthy man, whose daughter took care of him, washing his cllothes, cleaning his house, paying his bills, grooming him, buying his clothing, etc…and when he dies he leaves his old girl friends that left him, everying thing and the daughter is cut out of the will.
Amazing, even thogh the South lost the war, they took care of the ole rebel vets, but our government now, see cutting retirees COLA as a cost saving mechanism! This is nuts
Maybe we should send our bills to congress & the president and since they don't want to give us a raise under social security and military retiree pay, they can try to survive on what we do. They vote themselves raises but don't take care of those who served for them to have what they have. remember they will need to be re=elected in 2012 and we'll have to remember what they have done to us with social security and military retiree pay and benefits.
Has anybody looked at how much their necessary expenses have increased and how much their retired pay has decreased in the past three years? I have and guess what, our electricity, water, fuel, and food, and insurance have increased over 21%. We have lost over one-fifth of our spending power in three years. Obama, and crew need to lose more than 1/5th of their spending power too. Maybe then, they will recognize how serious the American People are about voting them out of office.
When is congress and the president going to take a pay cut and a cut in retirement benefits? OH I forgot they don't lead by example they just run their months and talk about the need for everyone to sacrifice. Everyone one but them
Someone please correct me if I am wrong!!! The last COLA raise we received was in 2008, so that means that we didn't receive a COLA increase for 2009, 2010 or 2011. Why do all of these articles state the last raise was in 2009? And again, I will state that my retirement pay received an income tax increase of almost 1K this year. This means that not only have I not received an increase in my retirement for COLA but a reduction in pay by income tax increases!!! Now they want to further reduce my income by taking something that I don't receive!! What is wrong with this picture. I'll tell you what's wrong. It's just another lie to the people by our leadership in DC, especially to the military retirees. Please pick on another group of retirees to make up your deficit. Namely, yourselves, or should I say, the billions in retirement and benefits given to a group of retirees who were mostly rich in the first place. Granted, there are a few members of our nations leadership who are not rich, at least in the eyes of the very rich.
Here's a suggestion! Why don't all the members of the house and senate donate the equivalent dollar amount of their perks and benefits to the VA in order to help our vets coming back from the political wars in the middle east? I'm quite sure there are thousands of vets that could use an extra few bucks to pay their rent and provide for their families since their livelihood was taken from them, along with their limbs, sight and minds! But the hell with that, let's bring them all back to protect our own resources and borders. That is, of course, if it doesn't hurt our leadership's wallets too much!
Our biggest problem is the DEADHEAD HOMESTEAD millionaires in congress and senate. If they REALLY wanted to cut the deficit they would take a real close look at FORIEGN AIDE. They borrowed BIG BUCKS from China just to give them back millions in FORIEGN AIDE. That is after the Chinese gov had printed millions in $100.00 bills in recent times. Now we arte printing our own BOGUS BILLS that have NO backing. worthless paper?????
Here it is, 2 days until the US becomes a third world country and our so-called leadership is still bickering over what to do!! Would someone please explain to me what we can do about it right now! I am willing to give up some of my time left in this world to help solve this crisis that the country is in now. I will sign any petition that makes sense or hand out fliers or anything that is within my means to help solve this problem. This crisis is not just for the vets, it's for everybody! So, if anyone has any ideas, please put them down somewhere and I will call on all vets to support any idea that sounds like it will help to change the chaos going on in DC today.
pray for it all god has the answe
2.5 Trillion for Department on Defense, Cia, Homeland Security. All borrowed
Money. If the US people want to have security let those driving 50K cars serve in the milirary and help pay for their security. GUNS or Butter?
Dont forget that Tricare cost also going up but tied a whole different index. Why dont they all get on the same page!
How about cutting out the cola on my ex's portion of my retirement. Dispicable…thats a horrible injustice onitself but you could save millions right there!
COLA SHOULD BE RATED BY WHAT EACH STATES COLA IS. NOT THE COUNTRY. WE ALL LIVE IS DIFFERENT STATES AND PRICES ARE DIFFERENT IN EVERY PLACE.
BOHICA – first TRICARE now this. The gov is seeing to it that the retirees foot the bill for everything else.
Retiree,older people,senior,baby boomer all now appear, to be consider dirty words. Okay,Okay.
Note: We will speak in whispers at this time. However next election we (all of the above) will SHOUT.
I previously posted this comment. May have been deleted.
"Seniors,Retirees,veterans,old people, are treated as if we are treated as if we are a burden and a dirty word.
Note: At this time we considered little more than a hoarse whisper. However next election we will SHOUT.
Does anyone know what happened to the massive amounts of money owed to the US by other countries? What countries owed and if any of it was payed back? These are serious questions. I have been saying that other countries owe Uncle Sam lots and if I'm wrong about this, I would really like to know. I believe that we all should learn from our mistakes and if I made an error and was corrected, I should have learned. The same goes for anyone. Even the highest leaders and the richest people in the world.
Pardon me if I’m wrong, but I believe only ONE country has EVER repaid our loans. That one was Finland, who busted their humps and repaid our WWII loans; don’t recall when it was done, but not long after the war ended.
China, though, was loaned much money AND arms against the terrible Japanese invasion; later, of course, when the government changed as the Communists took over, loans were denied. “WE borrowed no money from you! That was to Chiang Kai Sheck. Talk to him!” was their reply when asked where the money is.
Any know of any other countries who did repay?
Here is my question to all of you? in particular to Military.Com!!!! Why don't you take all of the Blog's on this site and send them to rvery major News market in the U.S, along with copies to every senator and congressman!!!! Force all of them to "publically" answer and/or respond. Put on the pressure and keep it on! I for one will contribute funding. How about it Military.Com? If nothing else it would be worth the money to see the Beltway sweat and backwater.
they do not like mil. ret. or seniors. we have to vote them out a.s.a.p.
leadership! bah hum bug.
Sure wish was on welfare they would pay my rent and food expenses
Will it be possible for the United States government to continue fielding an all-volunteer military service considering all the backstabbing that Congress will initiate upon the ones who have served? Congress will never ‘get it’ until it is too late to correct the blunder(s) – yet again.
History repeat repeat repeat tell us we goin to to war but we'll take care of ya al Ha! not the right gear or equipment and then our injured given little care should have known as the pull out came around the little bit ahead ment two steps back. REPEAT
Same as ever! When military troops find out they’re all FINALLY getting a raise, they also find ALL the surrounding area civilian prices shot up first! Net result, they lost ground!
Now, Congress finds there may be some increased allowances due to indices changes, so they want to alter the rules of determination! Guess just who WON’T be losing ground here; I’ll give you three guesses, the first two don’t count!
Hint: Congressional pay NEVER regresses! Not hard to maintain pay when you control your OWN purse strings! Even easier when it come from someone elses’ pockets!
Remember those in office come election day! Especially, those that have never served!
I retired as a civil service emplyee with 37 years service and this past year the feds took $600 from my retirement to pay for the unemployeed. What a bummer.
I have didicated my life to America, and after serving 22 years this is what I can expect from the shitheads who sit behind a desk a raise thier pey whenever they feel like it. I am so sickened by congress, the senate and especially the car salesman we call President what a bunch of bull. What it is really going to take is for AMericans to take back America and rid ourselves of these selfish bastards who only care a bout how theye will live. SFC Retired Mftnes 50
Lets be honest. I would appreciate a pay raise but look at those who have lost their jobs and now must exist on unemployment benefits. I would rather see them get a raise or be given the opportunity to learn a new skill. We retirees should be financial independent, if we had planned for retirement. Count your blessings and be thankful for what you have.
I agree with you to a point, but there are unforeseen circumstances that arise, such as when my husband (retired AF) suddenly became ill at 59 and spent the last 2 months of his life in the hospital battling Leukemia. His sudden illness and death was devastating enough but the financial aspect of it wiped out everything we had saved. Yes, I am so very grateful for the 55 percent I receive monthly from his retirement, but believe me a raise, any raise is always very helpful to some of us.
Not all of us retirees agree with you. Many lost much of their 401's as the stock market fell muliple times over the years. And some of us have had illnesses that altered all plans for our retirement and wiped out much of our savings! So raises in our retirement and social security are almost a necessity to continue to keep up with utility raises and gas cost that seem to never stop rising. Then there are the secondary effects of that like rises in food cost!
You are very right, it would be nice to get a raise but a 3.6 raise on a small pension isn't much. Yes Ithink that people that has last there jobs should be consider first and that we Vets that have fought for our country need to stil fight for our fellow ctizen and worker that is out of a job, he doesn't have to be a vet
WHAT R U AN IDIOT!! DO U REALLY THINK IT WILL GO TO THE UNEMPLOYED??!!
GET RID OF THE DEMOCRATS
If they keep taking money from the veterans, then wouldn't it be great to have all of our military go on strike. Let the Politicians that make the big bucks go and defend our country. Just wishful thinking.
Will Bureaucrats, Conressmen, Senators and their staffs lower their raise amounts also? If anybody was ever a "shovel-ready project" it is the seniors and military people who made this country what it is today. Instead, we are treated as a "disposable commodity". Yeah they know they promised to take care of us…but things are different now, so their word is no longer good. Changes should be grandfathered in.
Why doesn't Congress cut their own pensions and COLA and health care benefits. They should not be allowed to vote on their own benefits.Ordinary citizens should vote in a general election on Congress's and the House's benefits and it should be by popular vote. They should be ashamed of themselves.Many military families are very poorly paid and give up so much to protect their country.
I agree with doris. However in 1970 the social security was solvent , and congress decided to take all of the money, and fold it into the budget. Then they created the Fedaral system, an that's what they get paid out of, and you're right we should vote on when they get increases. If you will note usually the retiring president will sign their big increases. I say fire everyone of them, and start all over, because all of them stink.
because they are greedy. i am a vet when i got out my body deteriated quickly i paid into my ssi and then they still wanted more money. the people we protect here feel soldiers suppose to give their lives as a selfless service. you get out can not get a job people live next door wont give you a jump. let everybody give at least 2 years of their life and see if the attitude changes they don't care about us because we are just a body just a number. i was dedicated they told me they didnt issue me kids.
The Republicans "lost" 9 billion CASH in Iraq in 2004 Keith.Democrats are not the only guilty ones, they all stink, BAD.
COLA is a complete fraud as it is. Food and fuel are not part of COLA?
True inflation the past two years was north of 5%. But in screw-the-retirees/SS recipient-speak, it was 0%.
These people would be fired or sent to prison if they were in the private sector.
WE ARE NOT OUT OF MONEY. We are out of honest people who will cut unconstitutional programs that need cutting. Aid to Chicommie prostitutes? WTH?
Kill Dept. Energy, Dept. Edu., Commerce, a couple of others that do more harm than good.
Audit every program, and every person over 0-5.
More vets need to run for Con-gress, so we can delete these criminals from their cush offices.
Thanks, Honest John McCain. You reach across the aisle real good-like.
please tell me your thanks to McCain is in jest! He is pushing to take TRICARE away from retirees as part of the budget cut, waiting till we are 65 then allowing us to enroll in Tricare for life for a fee. Raising premiums, etc.
There is nothing worst today than growing old and being treated like the government is giving you something out of kindness. let me tell you something I worked 50 years and contributed to social security so your not giving me anything but what I paid into and if you honestly look at it I'am being cheated if you figured out principal and interest my ss would be a lot more. I spent 3 years in the service of my country maybe it should be manditory that anyone who represents the people should serve their country and do something for all the pay and benifits they receive,stop asking and taking from those who sacrificed so much for their country even lost members of their family defending this country. Do something positive help the people.
You bastards give back all the pay raises you have gave your selves in the past 2 years. you work for the american people, we should be the ones who give out your pay raises. you people in dc think you are the greatest bull. if i could buy you for what you are worth, and sell you for what you think you are worth, i would be rich.
i just sick and tired of these people who break promises, take our Earned money away, keep looking for ways to cut anything to save money form us, but not ONE suggested they cut their retirement pay or not to give themselves raise's we have to serve 20 years to get a half way good retirement, a congressman only has to work four years to draw retirement and is entiled to great benifits, but they won't touch that or look at to reduce it. Sometimes i'm just ashamed to be a American and have these people represent us
As the story keeps changing The Vets. arestill taking all the hits. First it was COLAnow they change it to something else to screw us again, But do the ploiticans vote to cut there benifits HELL NO!!!!WE should get involved with the
Constitution Party check it out
Dont take away from Vet's the money won't go to the poor of needy we all know where it will go into the pockets of the people that don't need it,
I dont understand? Are they saying we get a pay raise, then changing their minds & we dont?
will someone answer my question please! are or are we not getting a raise dec 1st
Greed!! As they continue to balance off those who contribute the most. When things don't go their way …..they who make the rules change them. Legalized thievery. They don't call them the Capital Hill Gange for nothing. I put mine on the line, and you constantly erase it. GI Bil and Medical for Life you changed it. Anyone can understand things change, but no change was made for the order of us to keep it as was even if we had to pay back into it …yet you cut it. Wow! the down fall of an impire? We must surely stand togater or divided we fall. You think no ones paying attention. Folks out there just remember who in DC votes for what when we VOTE!!!
YOU ARE RIGHT DIGGS. BUT FIRST, WE HAVE ALL GOT TO BAND TOGETHER AND MAKE OUR VOTES COUNT. THERE ARE ENOUGH VETS IN THIS COUNTRY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BUT WE HAVE TO MARK THE RIGHT BALLOT WHEN WE VOTE. I THINK ALL OF THE POLITICIANS GET COMFORTABLE WITH THEIR JOBS AND THINK THEY
WON'T BE VOTED OUT. WE NEED SOME VETS TO RUN FOR OFFICE SO
WE WOULD HAVE A VOICE IN WASHINGTON.
Since I read yours 1st: Yes, they changed the GI Bill, which soldiers should have been grandfathered in. As for the free medical for life, no such puppy ever existed. In a CSR Report for Congress, Military Healthcare on the issue of "Promised" Benefits, updated August 12, 2003, statements made, for example "Healthcare is provided to you and your family members while you are in the Army, and for the rest of your life if you serve a minimum of 20 years of Federal Service to earn a your retirement". This language does not mention "Free". These statements of Free Healthcare for life promise are functionaaly true and are used for the purpose to the good advantage for recruiting and retention purposes ONLY! These statements have no legal standing. No one in the military has the Legal right to make a promise. Only Congress can. If anyone can get a copy of their original enlisted documents and all their re-enilstmenr docs., you will see the promise of free healthcare does not exist.
Google CSR Report a for Congress, search for any subject and you can see how we reaaly get screwed.