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Post by lakhota on May 30, 2011 1:14:20 GMT -5
Home From War, But Still Under Fire This Memorial Day, elected officials will be delivering speeches that sing the praises of our military service-members at countless hometown events as we remember our fallen heroes from current and past wars. I highly encourage everyone reading this to attend such an event. But no matter where you find yourself today, I ask that you remember not only those who gave their lives in service to this nation, but also those who now face the prospect of becoming casualties of the Washington budget wars -- military veterans. During the April budget impasse that nearly resulted in a government shutdown, House Republicans fired a warning shot at veterans by passing H.R. 1, which sought to end the Housing and Urban Development Agency's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH). In the past three years, the HUD-VASH program has helped nearly 30,000 veterans by providing housing vouchers and assistance to help them get back on their feet. Thankfully, H.R. 1 was defeated in the Senate, but the battle isn't over. The so-called deficit hawks are back on the warpath. House Speaker Boehner is now calling for trillions of dollars in cuts from the federal budget, as opposed to the one-hundred billion in cuts Republicans fought for in April. Not only that, but the current Republican budget blueprint, the "Ryan Plan," sets the 2012 Veterans Affairs budget at $128 billion, down $4.2 billion from the department's proposed budget. With our military currently fighting three wars, which are creating more wounded veterans every day, the Ryan budget is a slap in the face to anyone who has ever served in uniform.It wasn't always this way. Support for veterans used to be a non-partisan no-brainer. It was understood that when men and women put on a uniform and take up arms to defend this country, the country makes a sacred promise to them that they will not be left behind and will not be forgotten. Service-members lay their lives on the line because of that promise, knowing that the man or woman next to them in combat will "never leave them behind." If we break this promise, we weaken the institutions that are tasked to protect us. How can we expect high-caliber individuals to continue enlisting in our armed forces when our government shows such a callous disregard for those who have served? The quality of our recruits will decline, and the quality of our military will suffer as a result. With all of that said, I do agree with Speaker Boehner that our country cannot continue to increase our budget deficit and pass on the debt burden to future generations. This is irresponsible and will threaten the quality of life we who are fortunate to enjoy as American citizens. But we should not balance our checkbook at the expense of the values that define what it means to be American in the first place. Those concerned about the budget deficit have several other courses of action they can pursue that do not put our veterans at risk: First, they could start promoting energy security and freedom from our dependence on foreign oil. If we can stop being dragged into costly wars, the cost of which make the Veterans Assistance budget look like pocket change, then spending will go down and revenue will go up due to the millions of jobs we could create right here in America. Secondly, they could take the long-view on the issue of Veterans Assistance -- national programs like Housing First show that addressing homelessness early is far more cost-effective than paying for the medical bills and law enforcement costs associated with long-term, chronic homelessness in our cities. Finally, we can ask our citizens, specifically the richest among us, to pay slightly higher taxes. We all need to do more than wave the flag on Memorial Day. If our citizens and our elected leaders truly believe that this country and the ideals it embodies are worth dying for, then we ought to have the integrity to stand up and say that those ideals are worth paying for, as well. www.huffingtonpost.com/tj-brady/memorial-day_b_868454.html
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on May 30, 2011 1:25:05 GMT -5
From the Huff too, interesting.
Good article agree with the author, to cut that drastically from the veterans...not right.
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Post by lakhota on May 30, 2011 1:48:20 GMT -5
From the Huff too, interesting. Good article agree with the author, to cut that drastically from the veterans...not right. I totally agree! I find it unconscionable that even Republicans would want to cut the Veterans Affairs budget at this time. It's almost like the GOP is trying to commit political suicide.
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marvholly
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Post by marvholly on May 30, 2011 6:32:26 GMT -5
Add in the medicare cuts which loses them the AARP group and it is a race to see who shoots themselves in the foot more/most: Republicans w/the budget cuts or Obama w/his recent stand on Israel.
I think we do need some cuts, pobably everywhere (5-10%) and some increases in taxes (5-10%) even on me. And that is after I just took a state hit in IL (67% - WAAAY too much). We all need to do a bit.
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Bluerobin
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Post by Bluerobin on May 30, 2011 6:43:57 GMT -5
Hey, we only honor the vets on 2 days a year. The rest of the time, they get screwed by the pols.
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 7:02:25 GMT -5
The Huffington Post article Re: Ryan Budget doesn't track with the Federal Budget for Fiscal Year 2011. Veterans Affairs · Record funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs; the Budget builds on the historic increase in funding for the VA with a 20 percent total increase since 2009. · $50.6 billion in advance appropriations for the VA medical care program so that care for the Nation's veterans is not hindered by budget delaysRead more: www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/01/federal-budget-factsheet-fiscal-year#ixzz1NpvPygRKwww.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/01/federal-budget-factsheet-fiscal-year/Also we did receive an email from General Shinseki a few months ago about the possibility that we could see VA Budget Cuts but so far only our costs for prescription drugs have increased but a fairly small percentage.. The VA Hospitals are also trying to cut the waste and abuse that most big government agencies have and they are trying to enhance their computerized medical systems and cordinate the huge medical systems with the Pentagon and VA.. And I do know most of the Budget Cuts proposed by Congressman Ryan do indeed seem drastic to Liberal Rags ie Huffington Post but these are drastic times that require drastic measures and if I have to pay more for my VA Medical Care and Prescription Drugs that is just the way it is..although I do know some may disagree... And we also told by the General that the budget for fiscal year 2010 has not been approved by Obama yet and this budget for fiscal year 2011 has been bogged down by bi-partisan infighting again. Keeping America Safe Defense and Diplomacy · $33.0 billion for a 2010 supplemental request and $159.3 billion for 2011 to support ongoing overseas contingency operations, including funds to implement the President's strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan. · DOD family support programs grow more than 3 percent over the 2010 enacted level, to $8.8 billion. · State Department funding, excluding war costs, is up 2.6 percent. Homeland Security · Department of Homeland Security funding up 2 percent to $43.6 billion. · $734 million to support the deployment of up to 1,000 new Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) screening machines at airport checkpoints and new explosive detection equipment for baggage screening. · Funding to increase the number of international flights covered by Federal Air Marshals to defend against attempted attacks on aviation.Read more: www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/02/01/federal-budget-factsheet-fiscal-year#ixzz1NpxBboK2
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 7:25:28 GMT -5
Obama can't ever seem to find time to honor Veterans. Where was he on Memorial Day? I don't know but he was NOT at the Memorial Day celebration last night on the Washington Mall which was another spectacular event that was on PBS....good to see our wounded getting some recognition but too bad we don't see them get recognized more often, but I may be biased.. As usual General Colin Powell did an exemplary job as the key note speaker & I thought too bad he was not our Commander in Chief instead or Obama....oh well whoever promised us a Rose Garden??
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 7:45:16 GMT -5
This is how liberals operate. Instead of really looking at the budget and discussing it, they try to just create hysteria or make commercials showing Repos dumping old people in wheelchairs off of cliffs or whatever. It shows how childish and unserious they really are about tackling real problems or issues. Most of the garbage in the Huffington and Washinton Post are not exactly the way it is....although the author of this "hit piece" aimed at Congressman Ryan is an Army veteran (T.J. Brady. Television writer and former Army officer) I am surprised Brady didn't mention that Ryan's cuts have not all been approved by congress or Obama. I am sure a former Marine Officer would have been more accurate...
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handyman2
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Post by handyman2 on May 30, 2011 9:08:16 GMT -5
First I am for doing everything possible to provide for veterans. I also do a lot of contract work for the military. One of the major issues I see is how the government does its budgeting process and planning. I see a huge amount of waste the way the system works. They could cut large amounts of dollars over the whole system if they would just modernize their planning and budgeting programs. If a major corp operated like they do the corp would be broke in no time. It is really time they learned to operate their planning and spending like any solid business would operate. They could save billions across the board.
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 9:36:25 GMT -5
First I am for doing everything possible to provide for veterans. I also do a lot of contract work for the military. One of the major issues I see is how the government does its budgeting process and planning. I see a huge amount of waste the way the system works. They could cut large amounts of dollars over the whole system if they would just modernize their planning and budgeting programs. If a major corp operated like they do the corp would be broke in no time. It is really time they learned to operate their planning and spending like any solid business would operate. They could save billions across the board. thanx and Semper Fi....old comrade in arms...
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billisonboard
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Post by billisonboard on May 30, 2011 9:42:42 GMT -5
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ugonow
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Post by ugonow on May 30, 2011 9:45:02 GMT -5
That is why I am against the GOP's wanting to give the pentagon more than they requested. I think the military budget will become a sort of slush fund...for an example,I do some work for lung cancer groups. Even though lung cancer kills more than the other top cancer combined, their funding for awareness, support and research is less than the others.They have been badgering Washington to help in this area.They did just recieve some funding,though it was from the military budget, under a military program,not where you would expect it to come from. The pentagon's spending is not under the same scrutiny as others.
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reasonfreedom
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Post by reasonfreedom on May 30, 2011 11:21:36 GMT -5
So veteran's lose hand me outs. It would be nice if we all could have hand me outs, but then we would all be poor mindless zealots. I say should do more cuts like this but across the board. I myself would be more worried about our children and grand children. I respect our veterans, but they went to war to fight for their freedom and lives(loved ones also). To many people care more about what they can get than what they already have. I understand paying taxes for roads and community used props but taxes being used for food stamps, welfare, education grants, home credits ect ect is just ridiculous. No, I have not used any programs from our government for my benefit or anybody-else. My parents taught me something called self-reliance, self-worth, hard work, all of these well benefit you the most. If you think we live in a world that is perfect or fair you might want to wake up from your idealistic dreams and come back to the real world with reason and common sense.
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 11:47:39 GMT -5
So veteran's lose hand me outs. It would be nice if we all could have hand me outs,
You have to earn the handouts from the VA Hospital by serving in combat and/or being wounded....so try it you may or may not like it..but it a tough way to earn a living IMHO
I am sure there are some veterans getting free VA Hospital Care who could easily afford private medical care but many of the VA Hospitals now have first rate medical care and service....it is not your Fathers VA Hospital anymore....the care is awesome but more is needed for ....Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Head Wounds..something I know a little about..
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handyman2
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Post by handyman2 on May 30, 2011 11:54:45 GMT -5
HAND ME OUTS??? HAND ME OUTS??? What the hell are you talking about. Just go to a military hospital and see what HAND ME OUTS are all about. Talk to families that have to deal with a veteran who is trying to adjust back to civilian life or a veteran with an arm or leg missing or both trying to get back into the main stream of life so they can provide for thier families and don't have to depend on HANDOUTS. Reasonfreedom you need to get your head out of your ass and see the real world. AND I DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR MY LANGUAGE OR RANT.
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 11:57:54 GMT -5
HAND ME OUTS??? HAND ME OUTS??? What the hell are you talking about. Just go to a military hospital and see what HAND ME OUTS are all about. Talk to families that have to deal with a veteran who is trying to adjust back to civilian life or a veteran with an arm or leg missing or both trying to get back into the main stream of life so they can provide for thier families and don't have to depend on HANDOUTS. Reasonfreedom you need to get your head out of your ass and see the real world. AND I DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR MY LANGUAGE OR RANT. I am not sure handyman2 but would guess that Reasonfreedom is not a Marine....just a hunch.. But I have seen his criticisms before so it is nothing new..about getting hand outs....I do like getting someone extending their hands out and shaking mine and thanking me for my service though much better..
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handyman2
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Post by handyman2 on May 30, 2011 11:59:37 GMT -5
Ugonow: I see the same problem in all departments of government I have worked with and many states. They just don't seem to have a clue about where to start getting a dollars worth for every dollar spent. I could write many pages of the waste by incompetence in government agencies that I have observed and when I would say something their reply is (that is the way we have always done it).
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 12:00:52 GMT -5
Also Monday, the president is expected to introduce Army Gen. Martin Dempsey as his next choice to lead the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The announcement was to be made in the Rose Garden.
A Marine 4 Star General was passed over for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs because the Pentagon didn't like his criticisms of the DADT reforms...and so he may have shot himself in the foot by letting his views be public..
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handyman2
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Post by handyman2 on May 30, 2011 12:05:58 GMT -5
Well PI in my opinion he is not much of anything. Probably the kind that hides under the bar when the fight starts. SEMPER FI and God Bless-Handy
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 12:09:31 GMT -5
Well PI in my opinion he is not much of anything. Probably the kind that hides under the bar when the fight starts. SEMPER FI and God Bless-Handy Thanx handyman2 but hate to admit it but I have been bugging out a lot lately here rather than get into a down and dirty fight....must be part of the aging process or maybe if you fight with a bunch of old ladies you always lose..
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reasonfreedom
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Post by reasonfreedom on May 30, 2011 12:09:44 GMT -5
HAND ME OUTS??? HAND ME OUTS??? What the hell are you talking about. Just go to a military hospital and see what HAND ME OUTS are all about. Talk to families that have to deal with a veteran who is trying to adjust back to civilian life or a veteran with an arm or leg missing or both trying to get back into the main stream of life so they can provide for thier families and don't have to depend on HANDOUTS. Reasonfreedom you need to get your head out of your ass and see the real world. AND I DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR MY LANGUAGE OR RANT. "During the April budget impasse that nearly resulted in a government shutdown, House Republicans fired a warning shot at veterans by passing H.R. 1, which sought to end the Housing and Urban Development Agency's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH)." Oh, I didn't know this program went directly to their medical benefits? Seriously why would they call it HUD-VASH for medical needs. Obviously you can't even read so maybe you need to come back to the real world and I though we were supposed to be an intelligent race. People make a choice to go into the military, I don't get housing benefits from my job. So I am less of a civilian if I don't join the military? You need to use the reason that was supposed to be implemented into your brain or maybe you just lack the capability.
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Post by commentator on May 30, 2011 12:11:29 GMT -5
So, he's a mainstream Republican after all.
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reasonfreedom
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Post by reasonfreedom on May 30, 2011 12:11:51 GMT -5
HAND ME OUTS??? HAND ME OUTS??? What the hell are you talking about. Just go to a military hospital and see what HAND ME OUTS are all about. Talk to families that have to deal with a veteran who is trying to adjust back to civilian life or a veteran with an arm or leg missing or both trying to get back into the main stream of life so they can provide for thier families and don't have to depend on HANDOUTS. Reasonfreedom you need to get your head out of your ass and see the real world. AND I DO NOT APOLOGIZE FOR MY LANGUAGE OR RANT. I am not sure handyman2 but would guess that Reasonfreedom is not a Marine....just a hunch.. But I have seen his criticisms before so it is nothing new..about getting hand outs....I do like getting someone extending their hands out and shaking mine and thanking me for my service though much better.. Best friend and family members are marines, I admit that I am not. I will stretch my hand out and shake yours hand any day. Like I said in my post that I respect our veterans. Can we post something besides the obvious please.
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reasonfreedom
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Post by reasonfreedom on May 30, 2011 12:14:25 GMT -5
Well PI in my opinion he is not much of anything. Probably the kind that hides under the bar when the fight starts. SEMPER FI and God Bless-Handy Meet me in a bar and start a fight and you will see.
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 12:17:29 GMT -5
reasonforfreedom FYI not all veterans are eligible for VA Hospital Care...admittance is on a case by case basis and sadly a lot of veterans are being turned away...I was accepted @ 20 years ago because my medical file was transferred from active status at the Navy Hospital in Long Beach to the VA Hospital in Palo Alto..and not sure today if I would be accepted because of overcrowding at so many military and VA hospitals...but can understand where you are coming from..a lot of government programs are gamed by those who know how to play the game and take advantage of them no question about it..
BTW handyman2 is a Korean War Veteran so show him some slack today...if you will OK
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 12:19:26 GMT -5
Well PI in my opinion he is not much of anything. Probably the kind that hides under the bar when the fight starts. SEMPER FI and God Bless-Handy Meet me in a bar and start a fight and you will see. Not me I am a lover and not a fighter anymore ..it is much easier on my old bod..but Mr Burns may want to take up your challenge so let me ask him and get back to you...OK???
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deziloooooo
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Post by deziloooooo on May 30, 2011 12:33:48 GMT -5
I thought that was handled yesterday with the posting of his POTUS, schedule and his attendance at the Tornado site was for me a very important event, so a comment of insinuating of not knowing his schedule, where he would be, is just.... Powell as a speaker, not shabby at all, and as far as POTUS, the man just showed his brilliance again for letting that possibility slide, IMHO. As far as some prices at the VA rising, many, many veterans are well set and capable to handle increases for their care. I use the VA for a few things, but actually rely on my own resources and Medicare for most of my needs, and I know of a few others , friends who do the same though other friends think we are nuts, LOL. Forgetting the VA, there are savings the Government can look at that I have used but could have done on my own. Example, I had two cataract surgeries done about a year ago May, and I was able to get a new RX and frame free through, your allowed one because of the change in RX that happens, and while don't know the charge to the government, I will bet it approached $150.00, and I could well afford that pair of glasses. I would be ok with that being dropped for coverage, possible having to show a need for, a person shows their income, [doesn't take into account a persons personal actual worth however, stocks, savings, etc } but at least shows something, for those who really need the help. I am sure it is a nice piece of change and the same for the special walking shoes that are available, once a year, for Diabetics, the shoes sell for $119.00 each, and there again, many, most can afford them them selves if needed, and the same criteria for those who need the help to get them. There it's a catch 22 situation, one needs a RX from a endow chronologist, {specializes in diabetic treatment} a RX from your normal general physician won't cut it. I guess one should be under the care of the specialist but many diabetics are doing fine with the general care physician, and to have to go for a visit to the specialist , primarily to get th RX if that is the case, those shoes all of a sudden are getting real expensive when you add in the charge of the specialist. And we wonder why we are in debt for , what is it? 14 Trillion...
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Post by commentator on May 30, 2011 12:40:34 GMT -5
dezi, billsonboard isn't interested in facts. He hopes others reading his misleading drivel aren't interested in facts either.
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reasonfreedom
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Post by reasonfreedom on May 30, 2011 12:42:44 GMT -5
reasonforfreedom FYI not all veterans are eligible for VA Hospital Care...admittance is on a case by case basis and sadly a lot of veterans are being turned away...I was accepted @ 20 years ago because my medical file was transferred from active status at the Navy Hospital in Long Beach to the VA Hospital in Palo Alto..and not sure today if I would be accepted because of overcrowding at so many military and VA hospitals...but can understand where you are coming from..a lot of government programs are gamed by those who know how to play the game and take advantage of them no question about it.. BTW handyman2 is a Korean War Veteran so show him some slack today...if you will OK Ok, I posted on the housing benifits. Why do you keep on bring up medical care? See you are not using reason, your whims and dreams of me talking about medical care are making you look delusional. Like I said again I have the utmost respect for those that fight for life and freedom. I am not taking any slack away from handyman2, I gave an opinion on the OP and added a tidbit in about other hand me outs that I think are worth cutting. It is always a bad outcome when emotion overrides a person's reason.
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Post by privateinvestor on May 30, 2011 12:48:48 GMT -5
Nothing wrong with being delusional and you said handouts to veterans which includes both housing and medical..and I tried to answer your concerns so if you don't like my comments then hit the "ignore" key on your keyboard...it should do the trick..
BTW crapping on veterans on Memorial Day shows a lot of class..
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