Part of the problem? I didn't make the rules on pensions or federal benefits. I had to pass various tests to gain entry into the federal government.
I served 8 years in the USN including a year in Vietnam (including during the Tet Offensive) and another nine months off the coast.
I spent 28 years as a foreign service officer that included a almost two years in Iran during the fall of the Shah and the entrance of Khomeini. I was there when our Embassy was overrun the first time on February 14, 1979 and held hostage for several hours. I served 5 years in Saudi Artabia including during the entire Gulf War. I was in Poland during the days of Solidarnosc' and martial law.
My family was evacuated twice during my various postings. I have served in hardship posts where we sometimes had electricity only 12 hours a day.
What is obscene is your sanctimonious attitude and blaming those of us who served for decisions beyond our control. What have you done for God and country?
Sanctimonious? No,just a bit pissed off.
Thanks for your military service but I still don’t see that a reason for six figure pension for 30 years.
Hell,I’ve gone months without electricity when we didn’t have money to pay.NO public assistance,either. I dragged 6 and 8”diameter tree limbs 250 yards across rough fields BY HAND while suffering with herniated back (uncompensated work injury) to the house so we(including my disabled father (non-smoker with COPD 30% lung function yet thrown off disability for two years)would be warm. Both in mild and in bitter freezing weather.I’ve wheelbarrowed cut pieces the same distance but uphill in other times.I’ve known what it is to eat cold food out of a can in the field and think it was GOOD!Not in ‘Nam though.I’ve gone to work hundreds of times with lunch a cheap pot pie or sandwich and little else. That WAS years ago in the 1980s.
I’ve also served the people for a few years as a ranger and had my confrontations with armed trespassers,thieves,and other emergencies.Lost that job due to local politics.
Not bragging,not whinging,just fact that a LOT of people who weren’t in the military/big government have had hardships yet don’t get to collect small fortunes for decades.I’m glad to have a steady job now even though my gross is less than your AND MANY other GOVERNMENT retirees pensions.Oh yeah,I passed plenty of tests with high scores in my younger years but no few,including the Post Office will hire “a back injury claim waiting to happen”.