Posted on 01/29/2011 9:06:02 AM PST by Recovering_Democrat
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) broke unexpected ground this week, presenting a budget plan that included freezing Veterans Affairs health care spending and cutting veterans' disability benefits considerably.
To put it mildly, the Bachmann proposal has not gone over well among groups representing the needs and interests of veterans.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonmonthly.com ...
Then there is no hope. Because no on in the Republican party is ever going to make it past the media microscope and magnifier. Any tiny imperfection is overblown. While every major error by democrats is minimized.
I for one want authenticity over style. And I don’t think I’m alone. I’m tired of the packaging not advertising what’s inside the package.
Speaking of mistakes. Can you imagine the media hyperventilation if Sarah Palin or Michelle Bachmann had said there are 3 branches of American governement: House, Senate, and Presidency. That’s todays quote from Chuck Schumer. Where’s the mocking outrage?
Maybe there is hope. According to Rasmussen Reports, "Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 47%, Democrats 36%"
I guess going from 4.5% unemployment in Nov. 2006, to over 9% unemployment under the Democrats is enough to make many people see through the MSM's smokescreen.
Thought you’d be interested in the follow up: Son-in-law got a bill from the VA - $15 co-pay for his VA emergency room visit. He’s not happy about it at all. Adds insult to injury (or abdominal pain, in this case). He’s said he’s going to some phone calls tomorrow. The money is nominal. It’s the principle.
I hear you. Thanks for the follow up.
It was a stupid thing to propose in the first place. The attachment to Bachmann is getting near the attachment of Palin. Is there waste? Probably, but I could care less of a vet getting a bit extra while people sit on welfare all day and do absolutely nothing!
yes-she succeeded in conversation.
As a member of four generations of veterans,I find her suggestions offensive in a time of WAR.We ARE still at war,aren’t we?
For the record-
The following veterans organizations have come out against the recommendations she has put forth.
The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans Association
Disabled American Veterans
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Veterans For Common Sense
Military Order of The Purple Heart
The American Legion
AMVETS
As less Americans have private insurance and have to rely on The VA for medical treatment, more troops from Gulf war one and OIF/OEF enter the VA system... if anything,we will need to increase VA spending,not decrease it.
Way to support the veterans.
Before you blame this on Democrats,I suggest you truly research how much progress Shinseki has made to the VA system since appointment.
But - no..you will deny vet treatment to make a point.
What legislature have liberals introduced that sets out to cut veteran/troop funding?
I can give you plenty of examples of waste when there were both houses of Congress and a Presidency under Republican Leadership.
Explain to me why Operation Helmet needs to exist.
Why private contractors need to exist.
Why contracts continued to be granted to KBR after troop deaths due to their negligence
Why troops have been redeployed 4,5,6 times.
Why we continue to use National Guard as 50% of our war zone troops
And how many of your sons/grandsons(and daughters) are over there?My two sons did 2 and 3 terms respectively.
This shows me how many of you support the troops and the vets.
Both of my sons are being treated for diseases and exposure to chemicals/vaccinations.My husband is being treated for Gulf war Syndrome.
my dad died from Agent Orange exposure... as did my uncle.
And YOU ALL want to cut veteran benefits?
Shame on you for letting party politics affect the troop support that should be there.
You have all shown how much you support..and will continue to support.. our troops.
bring them all home and take care of them if you want to cut your precious budget.
I don’t understand why your post was directed at me. I believe you are barking up the wrong tree. I never said I wanted to cut veteran benefits. I do however wish to eliminate the second-tier care that many of our veterans receive through government-run hospitals instead of allowing them to choose freely from a variety of hospitals - a freedom that the rest of America enjoys.
Cuts have to start somewhere...and AFAIK, these aren’t anything but holding spending at a previous level and not double paying disabled SS benefits.
Of course, to KEEP the benefits growing, I am certain she and the rest would be willing to find SOMEWHERE ELSE TO CUT.
Why not take her at her word—she uses these numbers as a starting/discussion point. As I said, cuts have to be made somewhere—all oxes may be gored for the nation’s fiscal health.
No! Not even close. Perhaps you should spend some time visiting some VA Medical centers and hospitals and talk with the people involved on both sides before making any more ill informed comments like yours.
Sorry, but veterans have already paid a steep price for the care they (myself included) receive resulting from service and or combat connected disabilities. I'll take my VA care far more seriously getting it from the Houston VA hospital system than I would want from privately owned physicians and hospitals.
In IMHO the bloated welfare and SSI boondoggle we have in this country is so fat and ripe with fraud and waste that that should be looked at first before ever looking the veterans way. Get the damned illegal aliens off of our welfare system and SSI and out of our educational system FIRST!
The so-called "Recovering_Democrat", who posted this thread, wrote: "For her part, the right-wing congresswoman told a local reporter yesterday . . ."
Honestly, how many Freepers would refer to Michele as a "Right-Wing" anything? This doesn't pass the smell test.
Anyone worth his or her salt would look at the entirety of the article I posted, and would see my words were a direct quote from the same.
I’ve been around long enough, I don’t believe I need to prove my bonafides.
YES!
"Vets" have become a specially favored group much like single moms, or homosexuals. YES! That's hard for Veterans to take, but that's exactly how the PANDERING POLITICIANS treat you, Democrats being stronger at it, but because your service does carry well as a political marketing point, Republicans as well.
Lets face it, nobody wants to cut that which benefits themselves. Just the way it is.
You sir, are a real American. Life is tough and the tough knows that to save it we all have to be willing to do it.
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