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Congress double-crosses military retirees
CNN ^ | 13 Dec 13 | Rebekah Sanderlin

Posted on 12/14/2013 3:25:15 AM PST by SkyPilot

Edited on 12/14/2013 4:31:16 AM PST by Admin Moderator. [history]

Editor's note: Rebekah Sanderlin is an Army wife, Military Spouse of the Year finalist, and a writer who focuses on military issues. She, her husband and their three children are stationed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. She is an advisory board member of the Military Family Advisory Network.


(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: budget; military; ryan; sequestration; veterans
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1 posted on 12/14/2013 3:25:15 AM PST by SkyPilot
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To: SkyPilot
These so-called "working-age retirees" are exactly the same troops who were given these promises in exchange for fighting

I know I'm going to get bashed for this but this is exactly the same as federal workers. It's interesting how "promises" for military are "entitlements" for federal workers.

I see nothing wrong with cutting either just as long as they also cut the entitlement programs. We can't spend more than we have.

2 posted on 12/14/2013 3:33:38 AM PST by HarleyD (...one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.)
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To: HarleyD

But they won’t, will they. They never cut entitlements and federal workers have unions. No. They only ask for sacrifices from those who have already given plenty. It’s bulls**t.


3 posted on 12/14/2013 3:43:50 AM PST by apoxonu
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To: SkyPilot

Too many military retirees vote Republican.

Sorry.


4 posted on 12/14/2013 3:48:58 AM PST by Jack Hammer
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To: HarleyD
I'm retired from the Marine Corps and I'm a Federal employee and I completely agree with you, but let's add congress' retirement plan in the mix as well.

We cannot continue on the current course and have a good ending. Though the sequestration hurt, I saw it as the best option.

My hope, though not likely, is that the Senate will ask for significant changes and the House will stand fast causing a shutdown. Which will force the press to admit that the House tried. OK, it is a fairy tale, but I like a good story.

5 posted on 12/14/2013 3:49:26 AM PST by fini
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To: HarleyD

The same?

Military members deploy where the country sends them, at great bodily risk to them and emotional risk to their families. Civilian employees don’t.

Military members pack up and move their families every two to three years.. Civilian employees don’t.

Military members are required to sign a contract for specified numbers of years of service with no option to abrogate that contract, regardless of the perverted social engineering experiments the government foists upon them... Civilian employees don’t.

So no... military retirees and their civil service counterparts are quite different.


6 posted on 12/14/2013 3:53:04 AM PST by ScottinVA (Obama is so far in over his head, even his ears are beneath the water level.)
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To: HarleyD

Just how many federal workers do you know of who were asked to put their lives on the line in the performance of their duties? You don’t know a damned thing about what it is like to have your ass shot at, willingly I might add, because of a sense of duty and not just a federal paycheck. A pox on your house!


7 posted on 12/14/2013 3:55:23 AM PST by mazda77
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To: HarleyD
I am a military retiree. I see no issue with cutting benefits for FUTURE military. They can decide to join or not based on the benefits at that time.

But stripping pay and benefits from those who have already served is, at least, unethical. Congress has done so for at least 50 years. Never have COLA adjustments met inflation. Benefits have diminished year by year.

Trying to start a new occupation at 45 or even get a job at 75 can prove impossible for many without civilian skills.

8 posted on 12/14/2013 4:06:15 AM PST by grayeagle
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To: mazda77; HarleyD

I’m with you. It never fails that when the immediate danger dies down, the non-serving among us start calling for reductions for veterans. When the fight gets going, they’re all out there waving flags with tears in their eyes but when the perception of danger drops off, we’re “too expensive”.

It used to be a conservative value to serve in uniform and take risks for your country but that may not be true anymore.


9 posted on 12/14/2013 4:11:44 AM PST by Chainmail (A simple rule of life: if you can be blamed, you're responsible.)
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As a retiree collecting my retainer fee, some call it a retirement check, I feel qualified to offer my views.

1. All for cutting the RATE OF INCREASE by 1% if:

a. It's across the board and all federal employees RATE OF ANNUAL INCREASE is cut the same.

b. The operating budgets of all federal agencies are also cut 1% RATE OF INCREASE.

Notice a theme? It's RATE OF INCREASE from the previous year. Ya, ya, I know about inflation and loss of buying power. If above "a." and "b." are done its almost a step in the right direction.

The step in the right direction is to have ZERO annual rate of increase and cut 1% from the previous years amount for all above "a." and "b.". It's called the Penny Plan. Do it every year for about 5 years and at least the annual deficit will get to zero. The national debt reduction will require "nuclear elimination" by legislative powers of whole agencies and departments, turning then into microscopic advisory councils to congress (2/state for each subject). Also tax cuts to increase revenues taken in the the FedGov must happen. Tax cuts spur business growth, thus hiring more people and business for paying taxes. (quantity of contributors submitting less overpowers crushing fewer contributors)

10 posted on 12/14/2013 4:19:01 AM PST by USCG SimTech (Honored to serve since '71)
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To: SkyPilot

Congress and the President should set the example and go first. But, they won’t. Like the Pelosi said they too should embrace the “suck”


11 posted on 12/14/2013 4:28:45 AM PST by 3Fingas (Sons and Daughters for Freedom and Rededicaton to the Principles of the U.S. Constitution...)
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To: mazda77
You don’t know a damned thing about what it is like to have your ass shot at

Before you make such a statement you should know your audience. I was in the military for 8 years and am a Viet Nam vet.

12 posted on 12/14/2013 4:30:00 AM PST by HarleyD (...one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.)
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To: mazda77
Just how many federal workers do you know of who were asked to put their lives on the line in the performance of their duties?

It's part of the job. This is just like fireman complaining of risky situations - they signed up for it!

13 posted on 12/14/2013 4:30:09 AM PST by glorgau
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To: ScottinVA

I agree— while on Active duty I spent from Sept.69— early in 71 at Ft.Carson. —and the longest I was stationed anywhere was in the Canal Zone Dec.74— Aug.76 Everything else was ruck up and move out every 9-11 months.


14 posted on 12/14/2013 4:30:39 AM PST by StonyBurk (ring)
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To: HarleyD; Chainmail

See above.


15 posted on 12/14/2013 4:31:30 AM PST by HarleyD (...one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.)
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To: grayeagle
I see no issue with cutting benefits for FUTURE military.

I agree. I don't believe people who are promised pensions should find their pensions cut after they retire or when they're preparing to retire.

16 posted on 12/14/2013 4:35:21 AM PST by HarleyD (...one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.)
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To: HarleyD

Were you drafted or draft induced?


17 posted on 12/14/2013 4:47:16 AM PST by mazda77
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To: HarleyD

> Before you make such a statement you should know your audience. I was in the military for 8 years and am a Viet Nam vet.

Especially thankful for your service. I have heard from many VV what they had to endure. From what I’ve heard It was like no other war and the threat level was ever present. I would not want to endure it voluntarily.


18 posted on 12/14/2013 4:47:20 AM PST by jsanders2001
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To: SkyPilot
Here is what my Representative FROM the Congress TO me has figured out. Tim Walz D MN.
He'll collect his Congressional pension, retired teacher's pension, and a retired military pension. I think he will be able to eek out a fair living for a while.
19 posted on 12/14/2013 4:50:57 AM PST by fishnuts2 (Liberals are anything except liberal.)
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To: SkyPilot

here is an idea, lets stop giving free money to people that don’t work and lets make food stamps good for milk, bread, peanut butter, and baby formula only.


20 posted on 12/14/2013 5:01:11 AM PST by icwhatudo (Low taxes and less spending in Sodom and Gomorrah is not my idea of a conservative victory)
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