[xzins]

Yes, I know veterans have already made sacrifices for their country. I am grateful. But we simply cannot allow any special interest group to claim a “special” exempt status when it comes to making cuts

Henkster, you sound as if you're trying to be balanced, but you also sound as if you have not been in the military. If my assumption is accurate, then there are things you simply don't know.

These are the people who have received promises and about whom you speak. These are the people who are SPECIFICALLY mentioned in the Constitution as requiring support. These are the people who have paid the price, both the survival, the wounded, and the dead.

What do you owe them? Don't you think it would be, at a minimum, what you promised them?

These are the ones that some say "Must ALSO do their part."

I say that Vets and Retirees HAVE DONE their part.

[mountainlion]

When you look at the pictures you see that the veterans are the only group that have a proof of what they gave. Banks, windmill companies, all sorts of subsidies show the fat wallets of the owners buy no tangible results.

[Alamo-Girl]

I very strongly agree, dear brother in Christ! Veterans have done their part. They made good on their promise - and we must honor the our promise to them.

[katiedidit1]

Excellent post!!!!!!! one of the best ever. People forget the small wages a young recruit makes or even a non commissioned officer in comparison to govt or federal civillians. They take the small wages in order to have their well earned perks. None of us would be posting or enjoying our freedoms if the military did not pay the price yet they among the first to be cut. What about federal employees? congress? all other govt workers? and why should any illegal get the same care as a veteran? for free?

[MontaniSemperLiberi]

Revenue in 2011 is expected to be $2,425,725 million.

2011 costs in millions,

Department of Defense-Military $723,703
Department of Health and Human Services $926,236
Interest on Treasury Debt Securities (Gross) $464,706
Social Security Administration $789,034

Comes to $2,903,679 million. With those three programs alone we have a $477,954 millon deficit. Note this does not even count necessary programs like federal prisons and the like.