Posted on 04/12/2005 7:25:02 PM PDT by Former Military Chick
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.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.