Senator Questions System Allowing 'Triple Dipping' Veterans

Let's see those in congress have their own retirement not SSI. Their own medical not the ACA. All separate from what they have burdened the general public with. And yet choose to attack the military's retired folks. Boy that's the pot calling the kettle black.

Commitments made to veterans are considered to be ‘on the table’ when difficult budget times come around. It's hard to think of anything more dishonorable than that. A part of me knows full-well the size of the ‘ick’ factor that can be associated with military service. 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 on the table when your budget gets tight.

So working twenty years in a dangerous profession and sacrificing our minds and bodies to "triple dip" is not ok, but serving six years in a job where most become millionaires for as few as two years to get a more impressive retirement for life is ok?

Yeah, ok. Lead from the front on this Senator, then let's talk.

The Senator speaks as though veterans were receiving "entitlements".

No, Senator.

Veterans retirement pay was earned through service for the country, far above and beyond the kind of service that you provide.

Disabled veterans earned disability pay. They sacrificed their health and well-being in defense of the nation.

Social Security "benefits" were earned through contributions to a mandatory system, one over which wage earners have no choice (and one from which members of Congress excuse themselves because they realize that it is a raw deal).

Now, Senator, go look at how much is paid in unearned entitlements (welfare). That's the money that y'all in Congress spend to "buy" votes.

Why don't you try cutting back there?

I'm also one of the triple dippers. I retired after 20-years with a 60% VA disability rating, service connected. Within 4-years I was reevaluated at 100%, and have been unable to work a job since. My disabilities are all invisible -- I would rather not have experienced documented sexual trauma or have a mental illness that's slowly causing me to become less and less functional over time.

When I originally was rated at 100%, and then qualified for Social Security disabiliy, I told my friends I felt like a government sponge. Every single one told me I deserved what I was receiving.

I would rather be able to hold down a job and give back to society than take from society. I'm one of Romney's 47%, and I'm quire aware of that -- I feel no small amount of guilt for being one of the 60K folk who triple dip. I know I experience an amount of privilege because I'm a triple-dipper.

What I try to do now is give back to community as much as I'm able hell, I have a Wikipedia page now. As a friend once told me, the only ethical thing to do with privilege when you know you have it is to give what you can of your privilege away to others. It's the standard I try to live up to.

I am so sick of these idiots ranting on about veterans benefits. How about cutting the pet projects they lobby for? How about cutting THEIR "pension" they get after serving in congress? They don't even have to serve for 20 years to get a pension and full benefits. How about cutting all the fat contracts these people keep dishing out to their buddies for a small kick back? Halliburton ring a bell??? Leave the damn veterans alone. THEY EARNED IT. YOU DIDN'T.

Meanwhile a Senator can draw a pension at age 62 after just five years of holding that office.

Maybe they are triple dipping because they will never be "normal" again?

You can call me a triple dipper too - I am 40% disabled - so i get 60% of my Retirement which is taxed, then tri-care is take out of that, then 40% VA disability (non taxed) plus I am a GS Fed Employee as well.

Mr Senator - look at your salary compared to service members and all the perks you receive and what about your nice little retirement package (less than 20 years of service) plus medical. Take away from yourselves before messing with us. You want to talk about a waste of money all of you politicians should not even receive a pay check

I am also one of those reviled "triple dippers". What that ÷¥=€_ Coburn forgets is that we paid for all those benefits with our bodies, our efforts, our time, our families, our lives. He doesn't have the slightest clue about military service. ...