Supporting the Troops via Welfare.

I am getting sick and tired of listening to the Republicans (politicians) andconservative tv and radio commentators saying the democrats and liberals do notsupport the troops, when in reality it's the war we don't support. There seemsto be a catch 22 that goes along with the words "support the troops".For the republicans it only counts while they are engaged in combat, and for thedemocrats it's just a matter of getting them home. What about the soldiers thatare standing on line forfood stamps? or the 3.5% raise the Bushadmin didn't want to give the soldiers ($40.00 a month)?

Well get ready for a parade,  the first comprehensive review ofveteran's disability benefits after 51 years is coming to town! A 25 percentimmediate increase is being recommended for "themost severely disabled" (now THAT'S a whole lotta support goin' on)

The first comprehensive review of veterans’ disability benefits in 51 yearsrecommends that Congress and the Bush administration support an immediateincrease in compensation levels – of up to 25 percent for the mostseverely disabled – to recognize monetarily their reduced quality of life.

The Veterans Disability Benefits Commission’s thick report, reflectingmore than two years of work (Comment: we should all have to wait 51 years plus 2for a raise) , also wants all disabled veterans made eligible for“concurrent receipt” of both disability pay and an annuity based on yearsspent in service.

Let's take a look and see how our disabledvets are doing. Currently a vet that's 100% disabled, with a spouse and 5 children receives $35,892 per year ($690 per week). 100% disabled, this guy isn'tchanging diapers, mowing the lawn, painting the house, washing the car etc.(70%Disabled with 5 children and a spouse? $18,996)

Let's take a look and see how retiredcongressman are doing.

According to the Congressional Research Service, 413 retired Members ofCongress were receiving federal pensions based fully or in part on theircongressional service as of Oct. 1, 2006. Of this number, 290 had retired underCSRS and were receiving an average annual pension of $60,972. A total of 123Members had retired with service under both CSRS and FERS or with service underFERS only. Their average annual pension was $35,952 in 2006.

Congressman make more when they retire, than a 100% disabled vet does. Mostcongressmen and senators are very comfortable prior to retirement. Whether it'sfrom a business they own, a law firm, speaking engagements, (LOBBYISTS!), etc.I'll bet it didn't take 2 years to make that happen. Current salaries HERE.

Comments

[MLP]

"Support the Troops" is only a battle cry for those that feel it is necessary to support the war because their saintly leader, GWB, tells them it is the right thing to do.
Some of us, however, feel that supporting the troops means concern for their health, welfare and the families that await their return. Unfortunately, those things either cost too much money or contradict the war effort.
On the right, displaying one of those magnetic ribbons on their car and condemning all who don't support the war is supporting the troops.