Less than 1% of us are military. Is cutting our benefits the answer?

Cutting vet benefits is never a good thing. Those that have served earned them and the government needs to live up to its promises. That being said there is one aspect of the defense budget that is totally out of control. We used to see jocks about it in the late 80's and early 90's, the $500 screw driver and $1000 hammer. The acquisition process is still screwed up to this day. The perfect example is the billions of dollars spent on the F-35, and it still is not right. Someone needs to teach the DoD how to write and enforce a contract.

No it's not. When the budget comes around and they look to make cuts the first places they look are the elderly programs and the military. Never mind about welfare and bullcrap projects they are will to fund like how fast does a shrimp run on a treadmill under water (being sarcastic). If they want to truly save money then REALLY look at what is being funded and cut the crap. Literally billions can be saved or used to fund programs that will benefit the US and the world. My thoughts.

It disturbs me beyond description that the powers that be feel that cutting us to the bone following all these years of war is an acceptable means of saving money. Better still is the relentless conversation regarding the expense of medical care for those injured over all these years of war. Shut up, we were not the ones that decided to go to war, we simply follow orders.

Is it fair no. But the benefits of being a Congressperson is that they get to decide their own raises and deny us ours. If you want to change it run for office or support those who support us.

In a nutshell, no it's not the answer. Basically, that's a hidden tax on the military.

Problem is, cutting the defense is politically expedient for those politicians on both sides of the aisle. Most Americans will think of themselves first when it comes time to cut spending, and considering that we are such a small footprint, the numbers are already working against us. Then, combined with the fact that service members come from all around the country, and vote all around the country (mostly through absentee voting), we therefore make up a small voting bloc in most districts too. While you may find some exceptions (like in Texas, NC, VA, WA namely), we're too diffused around the rest of the country. This used to be a "left" issue, because politicians on the left de-prioritized military spending. Now, it's a "left and right" issue, because politicians on the right are going after all government spending. Defense hawks are becoming few and far in-between.

Cutting the politicians' pay will have minimal effect, other than being symbolic. First, there aren't many of them, so any savings would be minuscule, even if you eliminated their pay and benefits. Second, most of them are wealthy anyways. They don't serve for the pay. Heck, over half of the people in Congress are millionaires. Third, they have campaign funds that subsidize their lifestyle.

Not sure there's an easy answer on this, other than a combination of less spending elsewhere and additional tax revenue. It's a big crap sandwich, and all of American should have to take a bite.

There's any way that we can put things in a balance?
Cutting US troops benefits (1% of US Population) BTW, well Earned !!
or cutting Welfare Programs (35.4% of US Population) Not doing a damn thing.
Someone has a monkey?? I'm pretty sure even a monkey can make sense on that.

We all have our opinions on the issues were facing in America but are quick to blame our elected officials. So instead of venting on RP contact your states elected officials and let them know how you feel. I promise you will get more of a response from them than our senior military officials who just roll along with whatever bright ideas come along and never object to cuts detrimental to those who have served. Ask your elected officials these question, How many homeless members of Congress are there? Ask if their benefits are being cut and is the program that pays for their staffers children's college education being cut like the proposal to water down the Post 9/11 GI Bill. Use this link to find your senator and state representative. http://act.commoncause.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sunlight_advocacy_list_page

Part of me thinks everyone should have the benefit of maturing through military experience. If everyone did, the budgetary thinking of many would likely be colored differently than it is. Another part of me knows full-well the size of the"ick" factor that can be associated with military service. And I also know this: If you have no “ick” on you, you ought to go get some on you before you talk about putting commitments made to veterans/service members on the table when your budget gets tight.

Roughly 12% or 1 in 8 Americans are Veterans, that's enough to form a fairly powerful voting block and for the most part we do.

http://www.statemaster.com/graph/peo_per_of_civ_pop_who_are_vet-percent-civilian-population-who-veterans

What we can (and should) do is identify those politicians who are working against the best interests of Veterans and Service members and speak out against them while supporting those who support Veterans and Service members.

That said, I am loath to cut the salary of congress for two reasons. First, most of them could easily earn more than double that in the corporate world. I don't want the best and brightest staying away because the salary is inadequate to sustain the lifestyle to which they are accustomed. Second, it serves as a reminder that we the people are the ones they should be working to represent... not just the corporations and special interests. I hate to weaken any sense of obligation our elected officials might feel toward those who elected them.

Hell to tha NO!