I sent this to my congressman and senators. I think it speaks for itself:
In considering any changes to the military retirement pay system, please remember that: a) we served a minimum of 20 years to qualify,
b) It starts at 40 - 50 % of base pay depending on date of enlistment, it’s based on service 24 days per week, 52 weeks per year with sacrifice to self and family.
To save money, you might want to think about restructuring the tax funded congressional, senatorial retirement system and healthcare systems. A twenty year requirement as opposed to a completed one term requirement would be more in line today’s working man. Scaling back on staff and tax paid travel would also be a step in the right direction. Finally, I think that a resolution on your part that all congressmen and senators whose net worth is over $250,000 demonstrate leadership and institute a voluntary payback to the government of 25% of government income over and above what you already pay.
In light of the current talk and murmurs coming out of the beltway, I think that you will see that is a more than fair beginning to address a problem where the taxpaying vet is being asked to make sacrifices. I suggest that this is an opportunity for you to make the sacrifices that you want us to make. What do you think?