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Here is a good example. I was shot in the neck in Viet Nam, The bullet took a turn and hit my lung. Three years later I had to take a medical retirement after having 8 years in. I had lost 5 muscle goups in my right side and back. My Romboid, trapizoid, and three minor groups. My sholder blade just floats around. After three years of rehab. The Navy gave me 40% of my base pay. In 1998 ( after 16 months of seeing doctors, having tests and many xrays) the VA upgraded me to 60%. The xrays show a 1.5 inch space between the ball and socket joint at my right shoulder from lack of muscles holding my arm in place over the last 33 years. I used to be right handed but for 33 years I have had very limited movement on that arm accompanied by never ending paine.

This bill will not do any thing for me because I did not spend 20 years in the military.

On the other hand I know a gal who has never seen combat and is a proud socialist screwing around the system, and she is considered a Vet. She is also disabled because she has MS. I am not sure if she would benefit in this bill.

Indeed, the issue here should be: who has seen combat and was expanded susbstantialy by the armed forces as opposed to those using the armed forces for their own consumerist welfare social purposes. Of course those who survived combat unscathed but took great risks should get some form of benefit too, as well as those risking their lives every day today because of their abilities consumed in combat through disabling wounds.

Of course, last but not least, is Bush's spending on 3rd world crap and then HYPOCRITICALY calling this spending bill sinful. It's one thing for forbiding others to spend too much money on others, it is another thing when that person asks to be worshiped politicaly because that same person spends our money for third world causes like a soccermom using the neighborhood's money to "help the children". The senate too is looking for political worship in there too, however the Senate did not start this particular hypocrisy (though Dashle has been the obstructionist in chief too).

The issue is that our system is breaking down because of the hypocrisy going on. Jurisdictions are not protected because of the political worship factor that violates all those jurisdictions.

That system is diseased. A soldier wounded in combat should have greater benefits than one wounded in training or non-conflict duty. It shouldn't be based on length of service, it should be based on a system that values battlefield injuries received by veterans higher than routine workplace injuries regrdless of time of service.

I am so sorry for your condition ... you have my utmost gratitude and humble honor. But your injury is not comparable in any measurable way to a guy who pops a knee lifting a case of motor oil from a supply truck. Your injury is more important and deserving of tribute than the normal skeletal and muscle injuries that happen with all physical labor.

hetzman, your unfair situation is something I can get behind. My Senator Paul Wellstone is a freak, but he DOES chair the Veterans Affair committee I do believe (or he's a member, they're all equal Olympic Gods in that place). I'll be happy to place a call to his office on your behalf. Private e-mail me if you want me to, I can usually get to someone there who can rattle cages. I'll give him your phone number ... I thinks someone will call. That's a policy that needs review. Regards!