[casinva]

Thanks kabar,

That was a very thoughtful post, and I agree with you. I don’t blame the Republicans for proceeding with what they should do, and I realize the Democratically controlled congress, previous to this House, would not work on a budget and never had one for a very long time. I totally agree with what you say and with the stand you shared.

I’ll add this, so you can know for sure how I really stand.

You said: There are times when you must take a stand based on principle and what is best for this nation.

Here’s my deal. My husband is retired Army, retired after 25 years of service to our country. Something may change, but from what I can tell so far, I believe we will have exactly what you first described... No deal on the day set by Obama, and I believe he will do his utmost to create chaos, hurt people, and try to make it look like it was somehow the Republicans fault. I know it is not the fault of the Republicans, so please don’t come at me for that. I believe Obama will TRY to make things horrible, blame it on Republicans, and also take good advantage (or try to at least) of a mess he will purposely have created. You see, this is what I expect from this president.

Then this is what will happen to my husband and me if that does happen. I believe Obama WILL chose on August 2nd, and he may be going against some laws or may not need to, but I believe he will cut off those August monthly social security payments and payments to the disabled veterans and retirement checks of retired military (my husband’s and my category being retired military). I don’t worry about active duty military. I have heard plenty of congressmen say active duty military should not have to worry about their families not being able to make mortgage payments and pay electric bills back home. Active duty military families will probably be protected. I have heard nothing of such protections to retired military, and obviously, we can’t even say our spouses are oversees fighting and they should not worry. No. We are just plain citizens, having given already of our time to our nation and now living on a retirement, and for some of those, maybe another job that took its place (for some retired, no job, just retired).

I FULLY expect that if Obama gets a chance, he will sock it to the military, and even if he can’t get a hold on hurting active duty families, he may have the chance to stop retired paychecks going to people like my husband and I.

Do know I understand it doesn’t HAVE to be that way. I just think that if Obama is given the opportunity you mentioned, to pick and chose who he wants to hurt, I think we will be one casualty.

Now please then know this... I told you that so I could tell you this.

Fully aware that my scenario is a possibility, I have spent these last few weeks getting hold of my feelings and emotions about losing our primary income. You see, my husband retired from the military and then went to seminary and doesn’t have a full time job yet. That loss of our retirement income would be devastating to our family. However, I have come to be able to accept the fact that if that is what we have to endure for the good of our country in the long run, then that is what we need to do. And I am NOT going to riot in the streets like I believe this administration, behind the scenes, will muster up along with losses of many people’s income at the same time.

So we may be faced with no retirement check, and then consequently no money to pay our mortgage, electric, or whatever else we won’t be able to muster up funds for.

But you know what, I have struggled with this and have dealt with it so that I know I will stand firm irregardless. I do NOT want to be a part of the chaos I believe could be encouraged. Instead, I will stand with my head high, even if we lose everything, because... well, that was the way it had to be.

I know there are some on here who don’t like the military and don’t like that their tax dollars go to them, but it was my husband’s service, and it is now all we have. If we lose the retirement income, so be it, and I have prepared myself so I can take that stand.

I believe I am taking the stand on principle that is firm and honorable, and I believe I can only do that BECAUSE of my stand for this nation and for doing what is right.

I only wish is didn’t have to be that way for us in doing so.

[kabar]

Fully aware that my scenario is a possibility, I have spent these last few weeks getting hold of my feelings and emotions about losing our primary income. You see, my husband retired from the military and then went to seminary and doesn’t have a full time job yet. That loss of our retirement income would be devastating to our family. However, I have come to be able to accept the fact that if that is what we have to endure for the good of our country in the long run, then that is what we need to do. And I am NOT going to riot in the streets like I believe this administration, behind the scenes, will muster up along with losses of many people’s income at the same time. So we may be faced with no retirement check, and then consequently no money to pay our mortgage, electric, or whatever else we won’t be able to muster up funds for.

It is indeed unfortunate that Obama's hyperbolic rhetoric has frightened you and your family. It is really despicable. I think your fears won't be realized for a number of reasons. There is no way you will not receive your SS and pension checks. Obama is the lowest of the low even insinuating that will happen. It is irresponsible and untrue.

I can understand your concerns. I am a retired USG employee with 36 years of service including 8 years in the USN and 28 years in the Foreign Service. I get both a SS check and a federal pension. I don't doubt for a minute that my pensions will be paid. These scare tactics are not going to work. If a long term deal can't be worked out immediately, there will be a short term fix to kick the can down the road a few months. Fear not. Our Founders risked far more than the possible loss of a check from the government. The fate of our nation is at stake.

Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities... because it is the quality which guarantees all others.

Winston Churchill