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

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.   

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.

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.