What do you think of the hit against Veteran's retirement in the new budget deal?

2013-12-14T14:04:04-05:00

Personally, I found the way they did this in the House to be disgusting.<div>We found out about it one day and they voted it through the next day.</div><div>What can we do about it?</div><div>How do we protect our fellow Veterans?</div><div><br></div><div>Personally, if the Tea Party can get their members into office, how come our Veteran organizations cannot get organized and replace Democrats and Republicans who have not served with those who have served?</div><div><br></div><div>We need to do something.  The Republicans have back stabbed us and there has to be consequences.</div>

Response by SSG Laureano Pabon made Dec 14 at 2013 2:15 PM

2013-12-14T14:15:37-05:00

seriously SFC Robinson, I don't like it when SM and veterans are the target on retirement, benefits and much worse changing the retirement standards from a set time period to something far longer for the sake of saving money.

I see all these activity as a direct invalidation on SM and a head game on the lawmakers part to do what they think is right.

I can only image what todays SM may feel, because I myself went through the same thing.

If and only if we encounter another war, these current changes will be amended and every thing is going to return back as it was in the current earlier start of these past wars.

But to use the military is totally wrong, at least I feel that way.

They can pick cuts in other areas starting with their pay and cutting down things that they use to play politics with.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2013 2:42 PM

2013-12-14T14:42:29-05:00

This is a common reoccurrence from our 'elected officials' - due to the lack of people who have actually served their country that get put in office.

Every time we have something threatening our country where the military is needed or the 'military option' is a trump card - then we the military (active, guard, reserve, veterans) get the lime light.

But of course that moment is fleeting - as soon as the threat or circumstance goes away - America's memories fade as much as their resolve.

We need more of our 'own' to get into these positions to ever have any positive effect for the welfare of our military members and former members as well as the country as a whole.

Our military members for the most part have travelled the world and have witnessed both the 'good' and 'bad' of multitudes of different cultures and peoples (which I think is a much better prerequisite for a candidate then how much you can spend on an election).

Next time the senate and congress come up for election, everyone needs to remember what a lousy job they have done and vote them out of office.

When these 'people' put 'bills' together they need to be for one specific purpose - not all these 'pork belly' type conglomerations that have continued to hurt our nation by funding totally ridiculous items when those things that should be funded go broke.

Our military members have changed their way of life and put the service first so that this great nation can be 'a great nation' that promotes our constitution and bill of rights which is the envy of non-Americans the world over. The 'least' we Americans can do is to support our military members sacrifices by keeping the promises made to provide for those that have served.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2013 2:55 PM

2013-12-14T14:55:30-05:00

This is how legislation has been going. And remember, the Filibuster change and one can see, America is changing for the worst. Gutless politicians and I even mentioned the thing about they are getting bolder and bolder in the disdain of the military and then have the gall to say we are losing this or that war.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2013 4:50 PM

2013-12-14T16:50:35-05:00

TOTH. with NSA and all..

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 15 at 2013 12:22 AM

2013-12-15T00:22:58-05:00

Beginning with Reagan, I used to vote straight Republican ticket, but in the last few election cycles, I am a declared independent. You are right we need to create some type of Veterans PAC!

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 15 at 2013 11:51 AM

2013-12-15T11:51:32-05:00

How many have submitted letters to the Senate through the VFW site?

“We know the federal government needs to curb its spending, balance its budget, and put an end to the sequester, but penalizing military retirees is not the solution,” said Thien, who is asking nearly 2 million VFW and Auxiliary members and veterans advocates everywhere to voice their opposition to the COLA proposal by contacting their senators at http://capwiz.com/vfw/issues/alert/?alertid=63026806&queueid=10042843021.

Response by SGT James P. Davidson, MSM made Dec 15 at 2013 5:13 PM

2013-12-15T17:13:18-05:00

Matter of opinion:

My opinion is, first and foremost, it is an act of cowardice. No reduction of welfare or other handouts to those who have not earned the money.

Second, Congress and the remainder of the Federal government employees - especially the explosive-growth additions over the last five years - should be the first to volunteer portions of payment, and in some cases, full forfeiture, if not have their positions eliminated or turned over to private-sector companies.

Third, expenditures such as studying Asian hookers on cocaine, measuring duck penises and other ridiculous bill items didn't seem to get cut. Why must the retirees 'foot the bill', when the only real difference the cuts will make is to the individual, not to the problem Congress pretends to address?

As this is a political issue, I will stop here.

Response by SFC Stephen Hester made Dec 15 at 2013 5:45 PM

2013-12-15T17:45:47-05:00

When they need us they shower the military with benefits and when the fiscal defecation hits the oscillation they look to us for cuts. What make this more disgusting is the fact that the government is going to sell its remaining shares in GM at an estimated $10 Billion loss. The Crusader howitzer system, when it was killed in 2008, cost us $11 Billion. We're shelling out billions of $$ to contractors (and their lobbyists) but retirees need to pony up. It's ridiculous.

The Senate has promised to look at the issue but not promised that they'll do anything. about it. We'll see what happens.

I think many veterans are reluctant to go into politics because they don't want to have their integrity questioned on a daily basis. We often don't have the support and funding needed to run for office. Getting into state/local offices may be easier but getting into Congress takes a lot more effort and money. Still, we have to start somewhere.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 16 at 2013 10:32 PM

2013-12-16T22:32:07-05:00

Here is a link to a news article that covers the VFW's fight in the Senate:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/16/sen-tries-to-undo-cuts-to-military-retiree-benefits-ahead-senate-budget-vote/

Sen. tries to undo cuts to military retiree benefits ahead of Senate budget vote

A top Republican senator is trying to undo cuts to military retiree benefits in the House-passed budget deal ahead of a crucial vote Tuesday morning in the Senate.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 17 at 2013 9:16 PM

2013-12-17T21:16:03-05:00

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/17/senate-gop-fails-in-final-bid-to-restore-military-pension-cuts-to-budget-bill/?intcmp=latestnews

Senate GOP fails in final bid to restore military pension cuts to budget bill

A final effort by Senate Republicans to halt cuts to military retiree pensions failed late Tuesday, after Democrats blocked an amendment to the controversial budget bill.

Response by SFC Charles W. Robinson made Dec 18 at 2013 1:01 AM

2013-12-18T01:01:34-05:00

From our discussion on the Linkedin Bronze Star Group:

"The Senate ended up passing the bill, but the Republicans tried to remove the part that targeted our retirement.

It really tells you something about the Democrats when they would rather take our retirement instead of stopping Illegal Aliens from getting benefits that they are not supposed to get.

It really tells you something about the Republican Party when the person who put this in the budget to begin with was Paul Ryan who ran as Vice President last time, and the one that pushed it is Boehner of all people. It is Boehner that has lost all credibility.

The list of who voted for this budget in the Senate and the House are a matter of public record now. We should replace every person who voted for this (Democrat and Republican) with people who have served. I am not sure which ones are up for reelection in 2014.

Will our Military organizations like the VFW and American Legion band together and do something more than send up petitions? Out of the three people that the VFW letters went to, Only one was a Republican. We have to replace those who have voted for this budget. There has to be consequences for their betrayal, lack of ethics, and total disrespect of our fellow Veterans. If we let this go, they will just come back for more.

How can we get this rolling? Will anyone do anything? What will our many veteran groups and organizations do?"

Response by SFC Kevin Gleason made Jan 22 at 2014 9:46 AM

2014-01-22T09:46:44-05:00

You have all made very good points. Now it's time to act on our frustrations. No one else is going to act on our behalf, and these career politicians know it. That's why they have thrown us under the bus, again, with no fear of the repercussions.

A new political party is forming, right now, as I speak, called the Veterans Party of America. A party created by veterans, for all Americans, to provide true leadership for this country. One month old, and we now have representatives organizing party headquarters in 42 states. This will not be easy, and requires boots on the ground for the long haul, because we all know the two primary parties will be pummeling us with their bought and paid for media machines.

Go to http://www.Facebook.com/VeteransPartyOfAmerica to join us and find the links to your state organization. Thank you!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2014 2:42 PM

2014-01-23T14:42:10-05:00

SFC, when a SM joins the military they are made a promise by the US government. Now we're seeing that the government is going back on its promise while the SM is expected to hold up their end of the bargain. Its a show of a lack of integrity and because I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values I believe in having integrity. How can they expect to keep up recruiting numbers, morale, etc. if they show that they don't care about or appreciate our service?

Response by Sgt Randy Hill made Jul 27 at 2014 4:40 PM

2014-07-27T16:40:10-04:00

I think their is a questionable work methodology existing in other levels of government. At budget cut time it has become too easy to pick on military manpower and work methods. Time to examine other departments of government and fix those for a change.