Posted on 04/12/2005 7:25:02 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
Are you really a veteran? I asked that question in an opinion piece published here at Military.com last month.
Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has proposed sweeping changes to VA benefits. Buyer does not believe that “a veteran is a veteran” and has said so in no uncertain terms. As you might expect, the changes are not for the positive. The driving force for these changes is the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission.
The following is from the VA website: "In November 2003, the President signed Public Law 108-136 that established the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission. This commission will conduct an independent study of the benefits provided to compensate and assist veterans and their survivors for disabilities and deaths attributable to military service. The commission will examine and make recommendations concerning the appropriateness of the benefits, the appropriateness of the level of the benefits, and the appropriate standard(s) for determining whether a disability or death of a veteran should be compensated." (Emphasis is mine.)
The VDBC Charter uses the same language with a few clarifications.
From the outset, the VDBC has been stacked AGAINST veterans. The very words used in the Charter confirm this. To consider the “appropriateness of…[VA] benefits” falls somewhere between the absurd and the criminal. And, to even question “whether a disability or death of a veteran should be compensated” shows the clear, immoral intent of the VDBC and those who formed it.
Who is the VDBC? The Commission is widely touted as a bipartisan effort. But, a quick look at how the Commission was formed will show differently. The Commission is made up of 13 appointed members. Two Commission members each are appointed by the Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader and Senate Minority Leader. So far, so good. Eight members, four appointed by each Party.
What about the five remaining members? They are appointed by the President. This is bipartisan? From the outset the VDBC is stacked 9-4 in favor of those who formed the Commission and propose the sweeping changes that will gut VA benefits.
So, what's on the table? What VA benefits stand to be cut back or eliminated? This question was asked of Rep. Buyer and he said, "I think everything should be on the table.”
Buyer believes that current VA benefits were not the “intent of Congress,” and feels that Congress went too far in passing legislation that authorizes current benefits and benefit levels.
Rep. Buyer has also said that the VA should serve a “core constituency” of “disabled and indigent veterans.” What about the remaining millions of veterans? This clear majority of veterans are those who stand to lose if Buyer's recommendations become legislation.
The sad hypocrisy so clearly illustrated in the forming of the VDBC is that the Commission is not representative of those veterans who Rep. Buyer claims to want to serve. I cannot find a “core constituency” of “disabled and indigent veterans” being named to the Commission.
The VDBC is not even representative of the veteran population, in general. Some members are former military who are politically powerful individuals. And, just to round things out, there are politicians on the Commission, as well. The Commission is the perfect example of the Washington power elite who are as far removed from the daily concerns of the average veteran as the man in the moon.
Maybe I am being politically naïve. But, where, on the VDBC, are the “just plain folk” who make up the vast majority of veterans in this country? Where are the infantrymen? Where are the nurses? Where are the drill sergeants? The cooks? The unit clerks? The people who will be affected most by the findings of the VDBC have no voice on the Commission!
I used to play poker with an old Supply Sergeant who knew how to stack a deck. He was very, very good at what he did. But, because all the players were aware of his particular skills, the Sarge never got to deal. Not so with the Veterans' Disability Benefits Commission. The deck is stacked and the Sarge is dealing.
Wow, words to digest for sure. Will be most interested in the thoughts of my Freeper Vet's?
This needs to go in all the service newspapers and see how many folks want to re-enlist.
"Will be most interested in the thoughts of my Freeper Vet's?"
It's a sad day when a President uses our military members to excess then turns his back on them. Shame on this administration.
I am an Air Force retiree. The VA was set up to serve vets with service-connected disabilities, not all vets.
Politically not the smartest way for the Republicans to cut the budget and root out waste, fraud, and abuse. But unless I see a persuasive argument to the contrary, instead of just interest-group whining, I'll side with Congress on this one.
The bastard on trial for fragging his fellow soldiers is technically a veteran. When we fry his ass for doing so, should his family be entitled to VA benefits? There is certainly a standard where such compensation is inappropriate.
That's not to say the author's fears of this commission aren't valid, but he needs to watch the knee-jerk reactions.
I agree with you. The system is abused to an unimaginable degree. The VA system was never designed to provide lifelong care to someone who does a four year stint and moves on, uninjured by their service. I respect my fellow ex-service members, and shared their sacrifices, but I feel that their expectations are unrealistic.
I hate to agree, but the words "Support the Troops" need to be backed up with action as well as feel good ribbons and such things.
My family was all military. My brother depends on the VA for medications for a skin condition he got in Germany.
I hope that in the end the veterans will be taken care of. We owe them that much.
It seems to me that the Republican party is hell bent on handing the presidency and whatever else they can to the democrats.
Am I having convenient memory or is it not the case that in several close races the vote of the military and the Veterans put President Bush in office??
I don't have a problem with trimming back access to health care to disabled veterans only, but thats about it. To redefine what constitutes a Veteran and particularly a disabled vet is just asking to be removed from office.
What benefits do you imagine that the family of a man who killed his fellow soldiers would receive?
As always I am glad to the the President being less concerned about American veteran than he is about illegal immigrants.
As I said before I voted for "W" twice,but I don't see him being a hell of a lot better for this nation than Clinton. They both pray at the altar of Communist China. "W" is a fraud as a conservative Republican.
Just wanted to add my support for your statement. No offense to those who disagree however ekwd is Correct. Serving in the military is NOT what the VA Hospitals are for. In fact, many vets are in the system because of need, without service connected injuries. Wish it was possible to support a system that allowed every veteran, but consider the numbers. There really isn't a realistic way to cover every number. And I suggest, that the average healthy Vet, really doesn't expect lifetime healthcare. I don't.
John T. Danforth
SFC USA (ret)
"It seems to me that the Republican party is hell bent on handing the presidency and whatever else they can to the democrats."
Don't forget that Hillary is on the Armed Services Committee, and will jump in front of this issue faster than you can blink.
Our unguarded, unsecured borders are bad enough. Now, with our party apparently hell-bent on slashing veteran's benefits, it really seems to me as if they are lining up to hand her the keys to the Oval Office.
I'm really starting to fear that we may all be crying our eyes out in January 2009 as we watch Hillary's inauguration, and we will have the incompetence and arrogance of our own leadership to thank.
"And I suggest, that the average healthy Vet, really doesn't expect lifetime healthcare. I don't."
Maybe you don't, but millions of illegal immigrants expect it every time they enter the emergency room.
Granted...but I don't get your point! Veterans vs illegal immigrants...huh?
And all prisoners in the prisons across the nation expect it while they are on vacation. Something is wrong with this picture.
"The bastard on trial for fragging his fellow soldiers is technically a veteran."
Those former military members with a "Dishonorable Discharge" are not eligible for veteran benefits nor or members of their families.
At one time VA medical benefits were reserved for actual military retirees, combat, or war time vets.
Not so now, if one served a couple of years during peace time, they are now set for free full medical benefits, for life.
I know two retirees on SS who love to brag they don't have to pay the part B for Medicare or prescription drugs as all they have to do is go to the VA and get it for free.
During their one hitch enlistment, neither one served a day in war time, or even left the states.
Right. So clearly, there is a point at which we determine that some veterans are not worthy of the benefits.
I thank your family for their service.
It dawns on me that yes some folks do have valid reason's for using their benefits, they earned it and they are entitled.
But, one thing is lost, when you separate from the military, anything less than retirement you go through a very rigorous medical exam. That is more to cover the butts of the military nevertheless it is where the military decided if there is disability owed, if there is then they should be allowed to receive the said benefits.
When I separated from the military, I was honorably discharged, given my VA benefit's packet, to include the cert should I have needed it to buy a home and other goodies, but nothing for medical. I was healthy and that was it. No entitlements.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts on the thread.
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