Michele Bachmann's Plan To Cut Vet Benefits

[lakhota]

Veterans Slam Rep. Bachmann’s Plan To Cut Vet Benefits: ‘Heartless,’ ‘Shows Contempt’ For Troops’ Sacrifice

In her tea party-fueled quest to cut government spending and social programs, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has unveiled a plan to cut $400 billion in federal spending that includes freezing the Veterans Affairs Department’s health care spending and cuts veterans’ disability benefits. The Air Force Times reports her plan would slice $4.5 billion from the VA, including reducing 150,000 veterans’ disability compensation and the amount they receive in Social Security Disability Income.

A host of veterans groups slammed Bachmann’s plan:

–Veterans of Foreign War national commander Richard L. Eubank said, “The only discussion the VFW wants is to tell the congresswoman that her plan is totally out of step with America’s commitment to our veterans.” “No way, no how, will we let this proposal get any traction in Congress,” said Eubank. “There are certain things you do not do when our nation is at war, and at the top of that list is not caring for our wounded and disabled servicemen and women when they return home,” he said. “I want her to look those disabled veterans in the eye and tell them their service and sacrifice is too expensive for the nation to bear.”

–The National Veterans Foundation’s Rich Rudnick told ThinkProgress that Bachmann’s plan is “terribly misguided,” saying, “veterans benefits are minimal to begin with” and that Bachmann’s scheme would be a “real step backwards.” “Cutting back on the VA right now would be showing contempt for American servicemembers’ sacrifices,” Rudnick said in a phone interview this afternoon.

–Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters Executive Director David Gorman said Bachmann’s plan is “uch an ill-advised proposal [it] is nothing short of heartless.” “It is unconscionable that while our nation is at war someone would even think of forcing our wounded warriors to sacrifice even more than they already have,” Gorman said. “Their injuries and disabilities were the result of their service to the nation, and our nation must not shirk its responsibilities toward them. How do you tell a veteran who has lost a limb that he or she has not sacrificed enough? Yet Rep. Bachmann wants to do just that.”

–Veterans for Common Sense executive director Paul Sullivan “said cutting veterans’ health care spending is an ill-advised move at a time when the number of veterans continues to grow as troops return from Iraq and Afghanistan.” “It is really astonishing to see this,” he said.

–VoteVets.org Chairman Ashwin Madia said, “Michelle Bachmann’s plan would turn veterans away from the care they’ve earned and deserve. Congress voted for two wars that have created many veterans that now need help, and we cannot – and will not – turn our backs to them. That’s bad policy that I think even a majority of Republican voters will stand squarely against.”

In a statement to the Air Force Times, Bachmann “said her plan is intended for discussion purposes as an example of ways to cut federal spending.”

thinkprogress.org/2011/01/28/bachmann-veterans/

[lakhota]

So much for Republicans shouting SUPPORT OUR TROOPS.

[billisonboard]

Lakhota,
It isn't about not supporting our troops who are willing to fight using equipment provided by military contractors and possibly die for this country. It is about those who have fought and had very costly long term injuries which need to be treated by government employees in VA Hospitals who present the problem.

[deziloooooo]

"said her plan is intended for discussion purposes as an example of ways to cut federal spending.”"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Granted it's not a lot , but say a 10% cut in staff of congressionals plus a 12% cut in all congressionals salary's and wage freeze for the next two years would also be something "intended for discussion purposes as an example of ways to cut federal spending.”"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Every little bit helps...

Seriously though, what she proposed and the reaction on it, shows what is going to be the reaction when and if they ever do tackle these items that will have to be addressed to get a handle on the deficit. They all have a loud constituency of supporters, I am sure I am there too as all of you..."No, No not that one..go after that other one "

[Politically_Incorrect12]

Jan 29, 2011 3:58:48 GMT -5 @lakhota said:

Veterans Slam Rep. Bachmann’s Plan To Cut Vet Benefits: ‘Heartless,’ ‘Shows Contempt’ For Troops’ Sacrifice

In her tea party-fueled quest to cut government spending and social programs, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has unveiled a plan to cut $400 billion in federal spending that includes freezing the Veterans Affairs Department’s health care spending and cuts veterans’ disability benefits.

The government is the only place I know in which not getting a raise is called a paycut.

[deziloooooo]

Jan 29, 2011 6:33:34 GMT -5 Lady Gaga Gaga Snerd said:

Obviously, no matter what cuts are made where even if they really aren't cuts but not as much of a spending increase, the Dem's will cry foul and never are going to address the reality of the fiscal disaster looming in front of us.

------------------------------------------------------------
Why don't you and Lakhota go out in the back and square off and see who has the biggest gift for BS allready..while the rest of us try to discuss this problem, cutting the budget...as non confrontation-ally as we can..it isn't dems/pubs...both sides are going to have to get on the same page and as shown above all will have their own pet projects to go after..granted that one she picked was a loozy but hey, she at least put it out there.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Just the act of a liberal talking about what constitutes "contempt" for our military is laughable.

[ugonow]

I say get the government out of healthcare.Do like Ryan has proposed for medicare.Privitize it. Give them a voucher to shop for their own. This has been talked about by Ken Buck and a couple teaparty candidates,but the idea was never proposed because they were afraid .

[marjar]

In order to privatize it, insurance companies will have be willing to insure them. The cost of care for many of these vets is astronomical and is life long. The for profit insurance companies will not see them as sound investments in the risk pool.


That being said, I think the government and the people owe these men and women quality health care. It the least we can do.

[marjar]

?

[ugonow]

The government has no business in the healthcare business. The VA is a prime example of socialst healthcare. I agree,we owe these fine men and women the best we can afford,but we are being hypocritical to offer them healthcare using a socialist ideal that we have fought against for years. Government owned and operated facilities are not the way we roll.

[marjar]

Then the military is also socialist?

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Jan 29, 2011 10:42:42 GMT -5 ugonow said:

I say get the government out of healthcare.Do like Ryan has proposed for medicare.Privitize it. Give them a voucher to shop for their own. This has been talked about by Ken Buck and a couple teaparty candidates,but the idea was never proposed because they were afraid .

Those who openly, or otherwise want one-size-fits-all government-run healthcare are never going to let this idea see the light of day. They'll NEVER discuss it, or any other idea that threatens their power, influence, or the flow of money to them on the merits. They'll always attempt to name-call, demonize, exaggerate, and outright lie to avoid any kind of substantive discussion-- this thread is a perfect example.

They KNOW our ideas work. That's what they're afraid of. They know they can never get what they want if We The People are permitted to have an open and honest debate.

That's why everything they did the last two years was in the middle of the night on Christmas eve, and they come up with schemes like "deem and pass" and when people protest they feign fears of violence, and try to shut people up.

[billisonboard]

Jan 29, 2011 11:33:44 GMT -5 @marjar said:

Then the military is also socialist?

Socialist? I know that when I was in that I was expected to perform to the best of my ability and I got special pay and housing based on the fact that I had the need due to having a wife and kids. Would that be socialist?

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

This issue is really about the control of the dollars, and of course the public employee unions. You notice that when I posted Rand Paul's budget proposal, I linked to the bill. Who's afraid to discuss the substance of the ideas proposed? Who'd rather just demonize Michelle Bachman?

[marjar]

I agree with Dezi on this. We have to make cuts, but I don't think this is one of the cuts we can or should make.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Here is the proposal:

bachmann.house.gov/UploadedFiles/01_27_11_Potential_Spending_Cuts_and_Estimated_Money_Saved.pdf

The only mention of Veterans in the $400 billion proposal is a $4.5 billion SAVINGS (not necessarily a cut) by reducing veteran's disability payments to account for Social Security Disability payments. Currently, we're paying TWICE. Yes, veterans would feel a pinch, but if we don't get our budget under control-- and I seriously don't think many people have come to grips with this yet-- they will get NO benefits. When we're broke, everyone gets a 100% cut over-night.

It's time for politicians, but especially VOTERS, to put on their big boy pants and face facts. Here's the quote from the proposal:

"$4.5 Billion Cap increases in Department of Veterans Affairs health care spending, and reduce disability compensation to
account for SS disability payments. Reduce Veterans’ Disability Compensation to account for Social Security
Disability Insurance payments."

In other words, if you're getting benefits through Veteran's Affairs, you can't also get benefits through Social Security. And $4.5 billion is not a trival amount of savings. It could help ensure we take care of our veterans long term and not just until the next election, or the ultimate bankruptcy of our nation.

[deziloooooo]

Jan 29, 2011 11:51:13 GMT -5 AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP said:

This issue is really about the control of the dollars, and of course the public employee unions. You notice that when I posted Rand Paul's budget proposal, I linked to the bill. Who's afraid to discuss the substance of the ideas proposed? Who'd rather just demonize Michelle Bachman?

Actually everything should be discussed..if it was investigated they will probably find that there are still short falls in veteran care..especially in the after care ...the mental handicapped of the Vets coming back that is so high among so many of the vets.

I have been volunteering at the VA for years as many of my fellow VFW members have been doing ..they, VA, use us as mentors, especially those who have had similar problems these young folks have ,,whether it's similar , lost limbs and how we have coped and went on with our lives or the psychological where many of us were also in the same position.

For many of them, it is easier to relate to those who have been where they have been ..different conflicts but really, all the same.

They do need more help on the Psychological end of it..it is something that they are just getting a handle on actually...

So a study of the veteran benefits just might get more needed $ committed to those programs.
Not what they are looking for in cutting costs but some times more $ are needed rather then cuts, so I would have no problem if they wanted to take a closer look at the problems.

They, she, Bachmann, may find they/she opened a Pandora's box here and wish they/she had never brought up the subject.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

We're going to keep having the fight over who's ox is being gored unless we can all agree that everyone's ox is going to get a haircut. Individual programs are easy to defend, so it's time to say that we're going to cut the government across-the-board (nothing is sacred) by an amount equal to the increase of the last two years.

You notice it's never "too extreme" or "too much too soon" when it comes to spending]/i]? I'm sick of the political games, name calling, and personal attacks. Grow up. We have to CUT SPENDING.

The Federal Budget which has grew from $2.9 trillion in 2008 (Submitted by President Bush in 2007) to $3.8 trillion in 2010 (submitted by President Obama in 2009) that is an increase of $900 billion in two years-- average of $450 billion a year. We not only CAN, but we MUST cut spending back AT LEAST $400 billion, and really-- I think we roll it all back to $2.9 trillion with an aim to get it down to a permanent $1 trillion CAP (adjusted for inflation-- that way we'll probably get some honest inflation numbers as a bonus)

[SweetVirginia]

It's time for politicians, but especially VOTERS, to put on their big boy pants and face facts. Here's the quote from the proposal:

Should Bachman put on her big boy pants and face the fact that the government should stop paying out farm subsides to her family farm?

"But according to a report by the liberal political Web site Truthdig, Bachmann is not so vociferous about her distaste for "socialized" industry when it comes to her family farm in Minnesota, which accepted over a quarter of a million dollars in federal agriculture subsidies from 1995 to 2006. Most of the subsidies went to dairy and corn, which are heavily price-controlled. Bachmann's personal profit from the farm has ranged from $2,000 some years to $50,000 in 2008, according to tax documents."

www.politicsdaily.com/2009/12/22/michele-bachmans-farm-received-over-250-000-in-federal-subsidi/

[marjar]

I'm not sure how disability from SS works in regard to the payments from the military. I know a man who served his 4 years and went to work in the public sector. Shortly after, he was in a serious auto accident and permanently disabled. He obtains health care through the VA, and gets SS disability, but he gets nothing from the Air Force/military as far as his disability. Can someone clue me in on how exactly this works and with regard to career military and those disabled while in the service?

[SweetVirginia]

Jan 29, 2011 12:19:07 GMT -5 @marjar said:

I'm not sure how disability from SS works in regard to the payments from the military. I know a man who served his 4 years and went to work in the public sector. Shortly after, he was in a serious auto accident and permanently disabled. He obtains health care through the VA, and gets SS disability, but he gets nothing from the Air Force/military as far as his disability. Can someone clue me in on how exactly this works and with regard to career military and those disabled while in the service?

Hi Marjar. He would only have received disablilty payments from the military if he would have become disabled while serving and as a result of his service. As a vet, you are eligible to receive VA care for life, but he is not able to get disability pay from the VA since his disability was not service connected.

[deziloooooo]

There is one fact in all this however..it is inflation. it's there we all know it..just came back from Publics yesterday..careful shopping and a bill for $92- I live alone, I know my prices...

Inflation is on the rise..Commodities are up and some of that is immediately passed on and the rest over a period of time..Government expenditures are the same...the fuel they use, the electricity..the everything.

That there is waste there is also known and there should be a better way to go through the budget and to find it , bring it to the proper attention and by, if needed, executive order if congress doesn't want to face it and take action, the president handle it.

No not he himself going through the budget but those who are trained to do so, then sit down with him with their proposals, say two hours a week , every other week and I say 100's of millions would be saved. More then enough to pay for the time of those who are tasked to do so , time spent on it.

Does it solve the problem? Of course not but it sets a tone, it's a start..the majority of the public, of course not a few here, would appreciate the effort, see he and the administration is seriouse and applaud him for it.

Notice i am not giving credit to congress, any of them, Pubs/Dems/Tea..they are all just blabbering away..all of them. The few who would like to get a handle on it are cowed by the majority to stay with the party line , both parties..so i expect nothing for the next two years from them but the same BS we have had for it seems forever...

[marjar]

Jan 29, 2011 12:23:36 GMT -5 SweetVirginia said:

Jan 29, 2011 12:19:07 GMT -5 @marjar said:

I'm not sure how disability from SS works in regard to the payments from the military. I know a man who served his 4 years and went to work in the public sector. Shortly after, he was in a serious auto accident and permanently disabled. He obtains health care through the VA, and gets SS disability, but he gets nothing from the Air Force/military as far as his disability. Can someone clue me in on how exactly this works and with regard to career military and those disabled while in the service?

Hi Marjar. He would only have received disablilty payments from the military if he would have become disabled while serving and as a result of his service. As a vet, you are eligible to receive VA care for life, but he is not able to get disability pay from the VA since his disability was not service connected.

Hi, Sweet! That's what I thought, but wasn't positive.

[deziloooooo]

Jan 29, 2011 12:26:37 GMT -5 @marjar said:

Jan 29, 2011 12:23:36 GMT -5 SweetVirginia said:

Hi Marjar. He would only have received disablilty payments from the military if he would have become disabled while serving and as a result of his service. As a vet, you are eligible to receive VA care for life, but he is not able to get disability pay from the VA since his disability was not service connected.

Hi, Sweet! That's what I thought, but wasn't positive.

It doesn't have to be a war wound, it could be a disability he received while serving on active duty..from a accident, a disease , infection.
Those who handled the agent orange...many times far from the war zone but contracted the cancers..it took a while but finally they too were granted disabilities for service related disabilities which was only right. Many times it takes court battles ans time , they do fight these things..the psychological for example, just finally being recognized as service related..

[marjar]

Disagreeing with a politician on an issue is not demonizing.

Reading the PDF you linked to and doing research, Paul.

[SweetVirginia]

Jan 29, 2011 11:25:14 GMT -5 ugonow said:

The government has no business in the healthcare business. The VA is a prime example of socialst healthcare. I agree,we owe these fine men and women the best we can afford,but we are being hypocritical to offer them healthcare using a socialist ideal that we have fought against for years. Government owned and operated facilities are not the way we roll.

Do you think the government has any business in subsidizing Michelle Bachmann's family farm?

[marjar]

Call me a cynic, but they own a mental health service. Would privatizing care for vets in any way be a financial opportunity for their business?

[SweetVirginia]

Jan 29, 2011 13:01:38 GMT -5 @marjar said:

Call me a cynic, but they own a mental health service. Would privatizing care for vets in any way be a financial opportunity for their business?

Interesting question.

[AgeOfEnlightenmentSCP]

Jan 29, 2011 12:39:57 GMT -5 SweetVirginia said:

Jan 29, 2011 11:25:14 GMT -5 ugonow said:

The government has no business in the healthcare business. The VA is a prime example of socialst healthcare. I agree,we owe these fine men and women the best we can afford,but we are being hypocritical to offer them healthcare using a socialist ideal that we have fought against for years. Government owned and operated facilities are not the way we roll.

Do you think the government has any business in subsidizing Michelle Bachmann's family farm?

No, they shouldn't subsidize Michelle Bachmann's family farm, either. However, as long as we subsidize farms, we shouldn't not subsidize their farm. We should just strip ALL farm subsidies from the budget. The elimination of the Department of Agriculture altogether is probably the way to go-- but really, regulation or not, the MAIN principle behind any and all spending is this: does it take a citizen's earnings and transfer it to another citizen directly?

If the answer is yes, that spending stops. I don't mind paying federal workers, and of course the military, but subsidies and welfare transfer payments need to be halted. And SS? Sorry. They spent the money. And it was precisely the generation that kept voting for the people spending the money that now expects it. They should be told to stuff it. We aren't going to take money from one citizen and give it to another, period. If the program-- including SS-- is out of money, then I guess that's that.

My advice to Democrats and misguided Republicans is this: Better go with modest cuts like this now, because if you don't there won't be the collapse and rise of tyranny in the United States that liberals fantasize about while they're washing themselves in the shower. You're gonna get someone like me in there who will REALLY do what needs to be done, not just trim $400 billion from a budget that ballooned $900 billion in two years.