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 ...
Let’s distinguish between disability pensions, which are given to any veteran with an income below a certain level, and disability compensation, which is exactly that, repayment for injuries suffered during military service. I’m on the 100% list due to malpractice by the Army medical system (mis-diagnosis of cancer symptoms as a ‘mental problem’). By law, I was not allowed to sue the Army doctors, my only recourse was through VA compensation.
Now, I have a standing offer. If you want my money and benefits, you can have them. But I want something in return: your large intestine. I no longer have one, and I miss it. And the next time the cancer comes back, you can take the chemo. Three times is enough.
No takers yet.
Army Times will only allow the posting of titles and links, but this a a good read on the issue. There's a little more info than I have seen from the MSM so far.
No fuss, no muss.
“We need to cut government spending! But don’t cut any of my benefits! We need to cut ‘other peoples’ benefits!”
Sorry vets, unemployed, contractors, government employees, Joe Blow, etc...
Everybody has to take a cut. Yes, EVERYONE! NO EXCEPTIONS! Otherwise this is just a waste of time. Go spend yourselves and your children into bankruptcy, and blame “other people.” Just keep on going. It’s not your fault.
I would like to see it too before joining in a media-generated frenzy against Michele Bachmann where her views might be deliberately misrepresented.
Getting hurt in the military=lotto win..
Even non-combat, you’re set for life as far as any health considerations. That’s just how it is, right or wrong.
BTW, thanks for your service. I'm sorry you have been let down. If there is an organization that supports those in your position, post it so we can support them.
he told me I could do the same thing since I was stationed in DaNang. I refuse to even think about participating in that kind of scam!
The don't give a crap about Bachman, they want to turn everyone against conservatives.
Here is where this is scaring me. My Husband is set to retire in August. He was diagnosed with cancer in November. He is going through treatment now but it is a very long hard road. He had planed to get a job after retirement but we can’t even think about that now. We are worried about life insurance etc...
We have his retainer after 27 years (0-4) and we NEED our medical benefits. We have no idea what disability is going to be applied.
Now when cuts are discussed in any way for vets or retirees, I get really ticked off. No matter who is bringing up this “discussion”.
Even though I appreciate your attitude and offer of more sacrifice, I think cutting disability for the millions of idiots (non-veteran) who get on the teat would be a good start to save money. I have two folks in my extended family who have somehow convinced SS that they have a disability. Free housing, cash and free health care..... they don’t live well but they also don’t have to work. Pisses me off daily.
Yeah, I’m with NordP. Great post!
Yeah, lets just become a socialist-Marxist country while we are at it, since everybody including grandma want her freebees. Don't cut anything, don't cut Social Security, don't cut Medicare, Medicaid, Defense and lets just see where we end up after the printing presses run out of green ink. It won't be pretty.
I have no doubt they are misrepresented.
You husbands benefits are not going to be cut, not now not ever, bank on it.
Bingo!!!!
You are absolutely correct, I had a neighbor who was a case in point. He received 100% disability because he was an alcoholic due not to his time in Korea but for years as a merchant seaman. There many more like this.
Exactly my point, dead on!
I believe TP'ers will accept, indeed they will welcome DC outsiders. But nothing is achieved getting behind people who are not aware of imagery and optics...and prove their unawareness by scrimping on a few camera-lessons and thereby destroying their commiunications effectiveness. I don't think I'm talking about Emmy-award level stuff, either. Robert Gibbs and Nancy Pelosi don't exactly come off very smoothly, and they have no problem dissembling and blathering on.
Bachmann needs some camera-gravitas lessons. I don't have one shred of doubt that she knows law, is very intelligent, and has a fine instinct for Constitutional principles. The issue is, when you look bad on camera, it cheapens your message, it is seriously on the record, and it gives the opposition lots of ammunition supplies.
"Veterans:
$4.5 Billion Cap increases in Department of Veterans Affairs health care spending, and reduce disability compensation to account for SS disability payments. Reduce Veterans’ Disability Compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments."
“This may have been a fatal mistake. We shall see.”
I hope not, as a vet (1978-85) I get next to no benefits as it is, so be it. I think everything should be on the table.
I think the Republicans should take a page from the Dems, they passed Obamacare instead of tweaking around the edges, the Republicans should cut EVERYTHING 2% each year for the next ten years - in 10 years the government will be 20% smaller than today.
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