[Poundstone]

I dunno. Reagan appointee Larry Korb (former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower) presents a very compelling case in favor of this reduction in the increase of COLAs. Korb notes that when most vets joined, these lavish retirement packages were not in existence —they were only introduced later. So these packages weren’t part of most military members’ “contract” when they signed up. Plus, as SecDef Hagel and CJCS Dempsey have stressed, personnel costs are eating up half of DOD’s budget right now, and are going higher.

[blueunicorn6]

Are there more or fewer Soldiers now than in 1990? Are there more or fewer civilian government employees now than in 1990?

[beelzepug]

“...personnel costs are eating up half of DOD’s budget ...”

Personnel costs typically eat up 80+% of a school district’s budget and most of you get to vote on that. Face it, spending all levels of government are completely out of control.

[House Atreides]

“I dunno. Reagan appointee Larry Korb (former Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower) presents a very compelling case in favor of this reduction in the increase of COLAs. Korb notes that when most vets joined, these lavish retirement packages were not in existence —they were only introduced later. So these packages weren’t part of most military members’ “contract” when they signed up. Plus, as SecDef Hagel and CJCS Dempsey have stressed, personnel costs are eating up half of DOD’s budget right now, and are going higher.”

******************************************************************

Poundstone, as a proud retired federal employee, I’m sure that you would agree that financial sacrifices should be shared and spread around. How about the following proposal?

I think that (as part any debt increase legislation coming up) ALL current and future federal employees & retirees should have their COLAs reduced (below whatever existing reduction is called for by current law) by 1% each year for the first 20 years following the later of 1) their year of retirement (independent of age at retirement) or 2) the first annual COLA that follows enactment. At the end of those 20 years, these 1% reduced COLA percentages can then be restored (prospectively only) for those retirees still living.

As you know “Something’s got to be done...”-—and that should apply to civil service compensation & retirement benefits. Surely YOU would agree with this! As a “proud federal retiree” I’m sure YOU would agree that YOU should share in this sacrifice for the next 20 years of your life.

By the way, you do know that Korb is a highly paid Senior Fellow at the progressive Center for American Progress? He, of course, would have no agenda.

[GATOR NAVY]

Korb notes that when most vets joined, these lavish retirement packages were not in existence —they were only introduced later.

What are these "Lavish retirement packages" of which you speak? When I joined in 1982, retirement pay for 20 years of service was 50% of final base pay, but by the time I actually retired in 2006 it was 50% of the average of my last three years' base pay, a reduction which adds up after a while. So this isn't the first time the military has taken it up the chute.

[SkyPilot]

Korb is on the direct payroll of George Soros.

The Center for American Progress was created in 2003 as a left-leaning alternative to think tanks such as the Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute.

Korb is also being paid off by the left wing Socialist Business Leaders for Sensible Priorities, again by Soros, "whose aim is to redirect 15% of the military's budget to social programs like education, healthcare, job training, humanitarian relief, renewable energies"

Since its inception, the Center has gathered a group of high-profile senior fellows, including Lawrence Korb Also, Admiral (ret) Ryan blew every "argument" that Korb had out of the water during an appearance on PBS.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/military/jan-june14/pensions_01-02.html

Notice how agitated Korb gets when he is confronted with the facts. Notice also that Korb quickly changes the subject from pensions to attacking military health care.

Korb also is spearheading pro-homosexual issues vis a vis the military, and has already caused untold damage to the military by peddling immorality by his past "victories" on this issue.

[SkyPilot]

“...personnel costs are eating up half of DOD’s budget"

Once again, incorrect.

The historical average has been approximately one third, and that is what they are today.

[xzins]

[xzins]

Korb notes that when most vets joined, these lavish retirement packages were not in existence

Korb is either uninformed or lying.

The 50% at 20 years was the rule in 1970 when I first enlisted. And it had been ongoing for many years before that.

I remember when leaving to go to college the talk I got from the reenlistment NCO who pointed out the retirement, the health coverage, the education.

Korb is nuts....there are very few "when most vets joined" who predate me. And I KNOW what it was then.