Debt Panels Target Military Retirement

Military.com ^ | 11.18.10 | Terry Howell

[Citizen X_Area 51]

In last week’s blog on the President’s “Blue Rib­bon” debt panel’s plans to cut the deficit, the sug­ges­tion of over­haul­ing the cur­rent mil­i­tary retire­ment sys­tem seemed to go qui­etly unno­ticed. This week a sec­ond panel has announced their plans to gut the mil­i­tary retire­ment sys­tem.

[Nip]

LIBs could care one way or the other.

They are bullies and we, the military (active duty, reserve, retired) are the weakest segment of the voting population. We are the only segment totally at the mercy of Congress Critters looking for votes or money to buy their own reelection.

Why?

We have no core of votes that can be delivered to make a difference in an election. If Congress critters ever see the military voter as the difference between reelection and failure they will care. Until then tough luck GI. Translation that the Viet Nam vets will clearly understand: "No votes no honey, honey."

[Poundstone]

“..now veterans are not entitled to what has been promised to them and what they have earned.”

What about federal civilian employees, many of whom have been wounded or killed in Iraq and Afghanistan? I’d say they deserve their pensions just as much as federal employees in uniform.

[ASOC]

THis is not new - under Jimmy the Carter the military become a ‘hollow force’. <Any, many good men voted with their feet and if this keeps up, many more will again.

CONgress may have to really consider a draft - and we know that will work out.....

[jospehm20]

No, they cannot.

[Arrowhead1952]

Canteen ping. This is bad news.

[fatima]

Thanks Arrowhead1952.

[Alas Babylon!]

When the people bitch about what we’re spending or about taxes going up, cut the firefighters, the cops and the teachers.

This has nothing to do with protecting the bureaucrats. It's simply a means to raise taxes via bait-and-switch.

They propose these drastic cuts in essential services, like national and local defense, and when the voters balk, they bring out the old tried and true:

"Well, we could raise taxes. Hate to do so, as you all don't want that either, but it's going to have to be deep cuts to very important services or a simple tax adjustment."

[Alas Babylon!]

You and me both, brother!

Now, how WILL they get people to reenlist without the cookies?

Maybe they could ORDER first termers to re-up. Or better yet, a general order that says you have to sign up for a twenty-year hitch. With no retirement, natch, until if you reach 60. There, that's the ticket!

Next, we go to our local recruiter's office. (crickets) (cobwebs) (a two foot beard on said recruiter)....

[Riley]

That was the point that I was trying to make.

[luvie]

Get rid of the bums before they completely gut America!!

Thanks for the ping!