I'm interested in the conservative take on this

[beej]

Thanks for what I would characterize as a thoughtful and comprehensive response, icenine. And I, sir, am well aware that I am a walking entitlement although some would call a military retirement pension deferred compensation. I, too, mourn the imminent departure of Olympia Snowe.

[icenine]

Originally Posted by beej

Thanks for what I would characterize as a thoughtful and comprehensive response, icenine. And I, sir, am well aware that I am a walking entitlement although some would call a military retirement pension deferred compensation. I, too, mourn the imminent departure of Olympia Snowe.

I do not mean to imply that we did not earn it. But I just sort of see it that way from my own experience as a military retiree. I really feel bad for those that lost limbs from Iraq and Afganistan, and we need to give as much as we can to our vets. But many like myself have come through pretty much unscathed, but I am not saying we did not make sacrifices. I feel bad though that Americans without the same benefits I have our supporting me with their tax dollars.

[beej]

Originally Posted by icenine

I do not mean to imply that we did not earn it. But I just sort of see it that way from my own experience as a military retiree. I really feel bad for those that lost limbs from Iraq and Afganistan, and we need to give as much as we can to our vets. But many like myself have come through pretty much unscathed, but I am not saying we did not make sacrifices. I feel bad though that Americans without the same benefits I have our supporting me with their tax dollars.

I share your concern for our service-connected disabled vets, regardless the nature of their disability. Where my perspective differs from yours, I think, is that I do not feel at all badly for my fellow country men and women whose tax dollars subsidize my benefits. The first duty of government is to protect the country's citizenry. This is accomplished in many ways, not the least of which is by our military. Taxes are the price we all pay for the cost of the government to provide this protection. I was honored and privileged to serve my country. In doing so I voluntarily gave to my country my youth, my commitment and my service. In my opinion, my retirement pension is the answer to a rather blunt and direct question: What is the going rate for laying your ass on the line for 20 plus years? Do I feel a sense of entitlement? Yes, sir, I do. And I do not at all feel badly about it.

[icenine]

Originally Posted by beej

I share your concern for our service-connected disabled vets, regardless the nature of their disability. Where my perspective differs from yours, I think, is that I do not feel at all badly for my fellow country men and women whose tax dollars subsidize my benefits. The first duty of government is to protect the country's citizenry. This is accomplished in many ways, not the least of which is by our military. Taxes are the price we all pay for the cost of the government to provide this protection. I was honored and privileged to serve my country. In doing so I voluntarily gave to my country my youth, my commitment and my service. In my opinion, my retirement pension is the answer to a rather blunt and direct question: What is the going rate for laying your ass on the line for 20 plus years? Do I feel a sense of entitlement? Yes, sir, I do. And I do not at all feel badly about it.

This old First Class get under your skin? You and I pay about $435 dollars a year for cadillac health insurance while some civilian families are paying $1000 a month. There are sacrifices being made by everyone. If things get really bad for the average American family they will not want to take care of us veterans eventually. Think about it.

[beej]

Thank you, mezz, for your comprehensive response, as well. Oh, and the kind of Independent I am is one who doesn't subscribe to anyone's party line. I call things as I see them. The first presidential election in which I was eligible to vote was 1968 and I voted for Humphrey. Subsequently, I voted for the following Republicans: Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Ronald Reagan (twice), Bush the First (once).

[piece-itpete]

The military is CLEARLY the responsibility of the Federal government.

Pretending the basic fundamentals of finance don't exist got us where we are today. The piper will be paid.

Pete

[icenine]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

The military is CLEARLY the responsibility of the Federal government.

Pretending the basic fundamentals of finance don't exist got us where we are today. The piper will be paid.

Pete

Where have you been since the 1930s....did you miss the last century?
The Piper at the Federal Government level will never be paid. How do you think we won all those wars in the 20th Century? By not using the big deficit spending credit card called Keyesian economics? That big boom of the 50s and 60s in the economy was easy credit induced deficit spending in the form of mortages, car loans and installment credit, secured by our national banking system.
You are making my point lol...

[piece-itpete]

Originally Posted by icenine

Where have you been since the 1930s....did you miss the last century?
The Piper at the Federal Government level will never be paid. How do you think we won all those wars in the 20th Century? By not using the big deficit spending credit card called Keyesian economics? That big boom of the 50s and 60s in the economy was easy credit induced deficit spending in the form of mortages, car loans and installment credit, secured by our national banking system.
You are making my point lol...

It's been working out really great. And I see Europe's doing very well too.

Heck, the world will just keep tossing us money.

Pete

[piece-itpete]

My neighbor would like to know where her money is.

Pete

[icenine]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

My neighbor would like to know where her money is.

Pete

The Pentagon took it to pay for GWH's wars and my retirement check