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When I entered the military it wasn't for the fact that I would like to die for my country. It is a real possibility but that isn't why people go into the military. At least I've never found it to be the case. It's an honorable profession, gives one a chance to see the world, experience new things, there's a whole host of reasons. When you ask why a person joined I have yet to find someone who will say that they want to die.

There was someone out here who made the statement that the military were made offers of pension benefits just as you have done. This is a legitimate statement. But if you make this kind of statement, you have to be consistent. The same statement applies to federal workers as well as pensioners in Detroit. Just because they "don't offer their lives on the line" is no reason the law should work any differently. (Try arguing that to a school teacher these days.)

People do not deserve to have their pensions cut any more than the military. Pensions are NOT entitlements but are benefits, rightfully or wrongfully, promised by the government for services render. People make decisions based upon salary and/or benefits a job offerer makes. Sure, arguments could be made that many of these pensions were too generous or given because of special interest groups. But that could be said for just about any group-including the military. In my mind pensions promised shouldn't be touched. They are compensation for service performed. And that includes pensions in private industry for which they should set aside funds they can't touch. Pension guanantees are not the same thing as say, disability payments, farm subsidies, food stamps, etc.

All this being said, one look at the budget should tell us that entitlements and benefits need to be cut. We have to drastically cut welfare, food stamps, etc. And there isn't anything wrong with cutting FUTURE federal worker/military pensions. Just as there is nothing wrong with telling FUTURE state workers they are going to have their benefits cut. A person going into the military has a right to make a decision whether they are willing to make this sacrifice. There isn't a forced draft any longer. It called supply and demand. If people think they can make more and save more by being an investment banker verses a military planner then go for it.

I'm totally against Paul Ryan's budget deal. It cuts promises made by this government while not touching entitlements. There is nothing in this budget deal that even keeps the status quo. He caved.

We either cut now or the cuts later will be much harder. That is the plain and simple truth.

xzins, I cannot argue with your points in post 25. All valid, IMO.

The military should not be defaulting on their pension promises. Period. I see that you clarified your point and agree with that part of your argument, HarleyD.

The fact that the defense industry makes out pretty well is not surprising, even though it is disappointing in light of the retiree cuts. From the article:

Yet those same think tanks and contractors point their fingers at troops making $27,000 or $35,000 a year when trying to decide who should sacrifice. In fact, the Ryan-Murray deal, which raises the spending caps imposed under sequestration while reducing the amount military retirees receive, amounts to a bailout of the defense industry on the backs of veterans.