DOD and Congress Scheme

DoD and Congress Continues scheme against military benefits

Government strategy to deal with senior retirees and widows: "ignore them, they will die soon" seems to be working

The handwriting is on the wall at the Pentagon, in Congress, and in the White House...the message is reduce military benefits in any way possible, betray military retirees earned medical care, survivor benefits and disability program. (camouflage as a threat to National Security what in reality is government theft of benefits)

Secretary Rumsfeld has again cracked the whip on his “benefit cutting team” Assistant Secretary Dr. Winkenwerder and David Chu, as they are briefing every member of Congress they can get access too...this Association, that committee, lamenting of the “runaway military health care costs”, making sweeping statements warning the “world class“ health benefit is threatened, in short the “sky is falling”.

Winkenwerder and Chu continually harp on the “costs” of military healthcare, how it has “doubled or tripled”, and they cry big alligator tears that military members are not paying enough for TRICARE, costs of TRICARE Prime hasn’t been increased since 1996, pharmacy costs are out of sight, on and on...what is always missing is the “costs in sacrifice placed on our warriors, spouses, and widows” required to protect freedom...what is also missing is any reluctance to continue the pipeline into harms way while complaining about the costs...there should be no higher priority in earthly government budgeting than faithful support of warriors, spouses, and widows.

Has there ever been testimony by DOD explaining the sacrifice involved in military service; that our professionals earn every support they can be provided; described the cost of the life blood spilled; the impact on widows left behind? If there has, I missed it.

Interesting isn't it that the very elements of government that entice men and women to serve in the defense of America are the first to cry "costs" and betray military, spouses, and widows when the enticement debt comes due.

America is quick to find funds in the millions for individual families impacted by 9-11; has appropriated hundreds of billions to care for hurricane victims; spends billions on every conceivable “pork” project throughout America...I cite these examples, not to deny support is due our citizens in time of need, but to compare warriors, those who volunteer, who purposefully give their very lives to defend our nation, the impact on their families and point out these men and women are denied justice and must continually fight for the support they deserve...and are accused of “threatening national security” for holding national leaders accountable for commitments made to troops, spouses, and widows.

Rest assured, government today is not what it was fifty years ago when warriors had “champions” in Congress who understood...most in Congress were veterans, there are few today, certainly no leaders with a understanding or burning desire to take care of the troops...use and abuse appears the theme...troops are on their own...incumbents should get a strong signal in 2006 at the ballot box.

Warriors can continue to remain silent and be stripped of benefits, see earned and paid for medical care, survivor benefits, disability compensation, widow compensation and maybe even retired compensation capped or reduced...or take a stand...when citizens remain silent government gets a signal...”they don’t care” so we (government) can do as we wish.

Once the horse is out, closing the barn door won’t help...we will live with the impact.

Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret

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Responses To:

DoD and Congress Continues scheme against military benefits

I am concerned about proposed delays on a vote to end mandatory reductions in Military Survivor Benefits (SBP) for surviving spouses who draw VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

Surviving spouses receive little compensation for the loss of loved ones. Many of us have limited incomes and our ages, often, are advanced. Approval of this bill will make the difference of existing with dignity. Many of us lack the barest necessities. My husband and others purchased survivor
benefits from their employer in order that we would not need or depend on charitable programs of this country. The law switches us from a program our sponsors bought providing us on an independent bases through work of their own and saving is disregarded, we are switched from the employer provided group plan provided to all other military widows simply as a cost saving to DOD.

An individual is only as good as his word. So it should be with political entities. When service members signed up for SBP they believed their dependents would receive all the money that had been deducted from their salaries. They never imagined a decrease of income to save money for the
Government! The "offset" provision was enacted. This act would be considered insurance "fraud" by the Government if it were done by a private insurance company! If a service member died because of act of war, survivors would be eligible for DIC. Once they received DIC, SBP would be offset decreasing their income accordingly.

We will never maintain a strong military force unless promises are kept. Few will enlist knowing how shabbily previous members of the armed services have been treated.

Helen L. Jones

I wonder if we veterans could must enough support from within our own ranks to vote OUT all congressional members who we feel are an impediment to our rightful benefits. ?? Dave Hayes Comment: Dave.....I believe we could, but there must be more than a few hard-core...we need to tap a few million to support those willing to lead the fight...personally I will not vote for a single incumbent in 2006. Harry Riley

Col. Riley -

I will testify!! I was widowed in 1965 and had my husband, an Airborne, Ranger, 1st Lt., NOT taken out extra insurance, I don't know what I would have done. Our children were 3 1/2 and 6 mos., and working was not much of an option then, and even with the extra insurance paying small quarterly interest, it was difficult. Had we not had 'free' civilian medical - we lived on the other side of town from Ft. Mac - I don't know what we would have done but certainly would not have lived in a decent apt.

Finally, I did what a lot of young widows did, and I knew quite a few, since I attended N.Ga. College where all the male students were cadets, I remarried too soon - back into the military since it was the only life I knew. My father was a retired Navy officer.

The widows of today have it a lot better financially than we did, but the sacrifice is none less - a widow is a widow - combat, or service related, we have all had our hearts ripped right out of our chests, held the folded flag, and jumped at the crack of the rifles while Taps called our husbands home.

I have actually written a book, mostly about life in the military - we were poor! and I would challenge any congressman to read those last chapters and not break down. I believe I have captured the feelings for all of us.

Now, if my husband had been killed on 11 Sept., actually he died 18 Sept 1965, we would have had no worries. First, other than the firemen, policemen, and a few of the others, the vast majority were men and women who were already in a top income bracket - that can never be said about a military officer! Plus, our fellow countrymen, our nation, the state, and just about everyone else you can think of, sent millions and millions of dollars to trust funds for the survivors - and now they are millionaires, and then some. Plus, you know that most of the men had huge insurance policies, far beyond what the military family can afford ... something isn't right about that. Some say, 'oh, you and your husband knew when he joined the military...', but it doesn't make it hurt any less, or make it easier to raise children on a widow's pittance.

I live in Virginia - you get me in to Congress and I will testify!

Diane Stark McConnell Sanfilippo, daughter of a Navy officer, widow of an Army officer, wife of a retired Army officer

READ YOUR ARTICLE WITH GREAT INTEREST. WHEN I RETIRED IN 1977, I WAS OLD THAT ONCE I REFUSE TO SIGN FOR SBP, I WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO DO SO IN THE FUTURE. NOW IT SEEMS THAT EVERY YEAR THEY ARE ACCEPTING INDIVIDUALS WHO REFUSED TO SIGN FOR THIS PLAN. SINCE 1977, AT NOW 280 PER MONTH, JUST IMAGE WHAT I WOULD HAVE RECEIVED FROM LIFE INSURANCE PLAN. I COULD HAVE SIGNED FOR A MILLION DOLLAR BENEFITS AND WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH BETTER OFF. THAN AGAIN WITH THE WORLD TRADE CENTER, EACH BENEFICIARY RECEIVED OVER A MILLION DOLLARS, WHILE OUR TROOPS WHO PERISHED IN BATTLE RECEIVE A MEASLY 20,000.00 AND ONLY IF THEY SIGNED FOR THE PLAN. THIS SENSELESS WAR, WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN AGAINST THE SHIITE MOSLEMS AND THEIR FANATICAL AMERICA-HATING MULLAHS OF IRAN, IS GOING TO COST US OVER A TRILLION DOLLARS, WITH LOSS OF LIVES AND INJURIES, NOT TO MENTION OVER 150 THOUSAND IRAQIS KILLED AND MORE INJURED. NOW WITH THE DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS THE SHIITES, WHO ARE IN MAJORITY IN IRAQ, WILL WIN THE ELECTIONS, AND WILL JOIN IRAN TO FORM AN ISLAMIC STATE. I GUESS OUR LEADERS HAVE NOT LEARNED FROM OUR MISTAKES OF THE PAST.

MY LAST RETIREMENT CHECK FROM THE ARMY AS LTCOL, AND MY POLICE RETIREMENT CHECK FROM SF POLICE DEPARTMENT AS A SERGEANT, SHOWED THAT MY SERGEANTS PAY WAS 400.00 MORE THAN MY LTCOL'S PAY, AND WHEN I DIE MY WIDOW WILL GET MY FULL PENSION WITHOUT ANY CONTRIBUTIONS ON MY PART, WHILE THE ARMY WILL ONLY PROVIDE LESS THAN A QUARTER OF MY RETIREMENT PAY DUE TO OFFSET BY THE SOCIAL SECURITY PAYMENTS.

NO, THE MILITARY IS NOT TAKING PROPER CARE OF US, AND THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

BEST WISHES, GEORGE WALLACE

I agree with you. Rumsfeld has been there too long and should exit immediately. In the meantime, I was just interviewed by the Arizona Daily Star on the RIF in military officers, mostly junior grade. I said that I was shocked. We have spent millions on these young officers, and now we are booting them out. Today I received a phone call from a major in Air Force Personnel, who questioned my statements. I told him that we military retirees do not sleep late and just get up for happy hour, and we are not toadies, lackeys, cronies or lickspittles for DOD policies. We parted on a pleasant note. But the fact remains, too much is being done to retirees and even active duty folks. Vern Pall, President, Tucson Chapter, MOAA

EVERY politician should be required to have served in the military, in the field, not in some semi military/political position in Washington, D. C. Maybe then, when they understand what the sacrifices of the nation's warriors, they will be able to make just decisions. Charles L. Hampton

With the hurricane season coming to an end it is time to turn our attention and SUPPORT to the war in Iraq. The people so seriously affected by the hurricanes will deserve our support for many years yet but the disabled retirees need it NOW in their few remaining years. To take TEN years to pay the full retirement amount is a repudiation of the dedication, patriotism, and sacrifices these brave men and women made in giving their best to keep us free. How many billions of our dollars are misspent in PURE PORK such as unneeded bridges, tribal "heritage" buildings, museums such as the $216 million faux pas on the mall in Washington, the list would cover pages on this screen. Our young "best" are spilling their blood for what?.. to be cheated and abused by the country they love? Had I known of this shoddy treatment I most assuredly would have NOT given the Air Force the best twenty years of my life but stayed on the farm and saved my beloved parents the sorrow of seeing first one, then another of their sons go off to foreign places and return as strangers or in a coffin. My Father was so distraught that he never was the same and I weep for him for I also lost a young son and will never be free of grief over his death...My life ended many rears ago and I look forward to the day when my sorrow is no more. Major Starke, 100% disabled.

I have been supporting the Republican party since Nixon. However, the shameful way in which military retirees have been treated has been a wakeup call for me. I will vote against whoever the Republicans put forth in 2008. I also will not vote for either Lott or Cochran. Although Wicker is a co-sponsor on HR 602, I'm not sure that I can even support him.

E.O. Darling, MSgt, USAF, Ret.

1Blue Springs, MS 38828

One thing I always see that we (Military Retirees) never discuss in our rational not to cut benefits is the way the Gov't (Congress) is allowing any "vendor" who does business with the Gov't raid the US Treasury as if it was there for the taking. Example: Dr Chu says retirees health care are costing the Gov't to much, ie Tri-Care. Well, maybe if the Gov't stopped paying $35,000(doctors fee only) for ONE simple operation (stomach repair) the problem would take care of itself. Try $300 for one prescription. The Gov't is paying $750 a pair for jump boots..battery powered wheel chairs--try $13,000. I can buy a car for that. We need to really drive home the point that the Gov't is being ripped off at every turn and Chu implies it's our fault. Despicable!!! Jack Bussa, USAF Ret.

The Schemers had no real plan for so many to survive. Of the few survivors there might be, it was thought most would die from having been exposed to not only the extreme stress of hostilities, chemicals etc., but were expected to smoke themselves to death soon after retiring. Things just haven't worked out to suit the Schemers. So all this cutting back on Military health care becomes their "act of last resort". It is with tongue in cheek that I say, " what the country needs to recover from it's financial chaos, is ......... a more and greater cut in taxes."

Andy Spolski

I would like to point out here that Reps or Dems (I refer to them as elekeys - ELEphants and donKEYS) are all the same...it does us no good to replace one with the other. Look at how the Vietnam veterans have been treated through decades of a Democrat controlled house. Our only hope is to clean house. If you are in, you are now out, until our elected officials get the message and start worrying about America first and keeping promises not only to our military people but to all our citizens. We need an addition to the ballots NONE OF THE ABOVE.

Glenda Kelley gkelley951@aol.com GA's Veterans Party of America
www.veteransparty.us

I AGREE ENTIRELY WITH COL. HARRY RILEY'S COMMENTS. AND HAVE AUTHORED SIMILAR COMMENTS TO VARIOUS OFFICIALS AND ANYONE ELSE I THOUGHT INTERESTED.. I SAW EARLY IN THE IRAQI WAR WE WERE LOCKED INTO A NO-WIN STRATEGY. ANYONE KNOWING WAR COULD SEE THAT. ARMED GANGS OF THUGS WERE IN EFFECT GIVEN IMMUNITY AND ALLOWED TO MULTIPLY. IT WAS WELL KNOWN IRAN, SYRIA, AND TO SOME EXTENT SAUDI, WERE FURNISHING UNLIMITED LOGISTICS TO OUR ENEMY WITH NO FEAR OF RETALIATION.. DESTROYING LOGISTIC LINES IS ONE OF THE FIRST GOALS IN WAR, AMONG OTHER TARGETS NOT ADDRESSED. OUR OFFICIALS IN HIGH PLACES SAY WE ARE WINNING THE WAR AGAINST GLOBAL TERRORISM. I WOULD ASK THEM WHERE. TO BE MORE BRIEF, THE MOST POWERFUL ARMED FORCES THE WORLD HAS KNOWN, MANNED BY THE BEST TROOPS THE WORLD HAS KNOWN, ARE BEING TWEAKED BY A FEW THOUSAND RAGGED, VICIOUS, UNCIVILIZED THUGS. ALL BECAUSE OUR GREAT FORCES ARE RESTRICTED BY INEPT MISLEADING CIVILIAN LEADERSHIP STUBBORNLY STUCK ON AN EMBARRASSING AND COSTLY STRATEGY OF DEFEAT. TO ME IT SEEMS OUR LEADERSHIP HAS ENCOURAGED TERRORISM BY TETHERING OUR STRENGTH. ANY ENEMY IS MOTIVATED BY INEFFECTIVE OPPOSITION.

BOB IRVIN, ARMY RETIRED DISABLED

The Col. stated my sentiments exactly; except that I would add that it is high time to replace all current senators and representatives who come up for election in 2006 and each election there after until all the home-steaders in congress have been replaced with congress men/women that do not accept Bribes from big business and PAC money; folks who will again hear and represent the people of America instead of BIG BUSINESS!

Hollis Stanford CWO US Army, Retired

It would appear that there is a movement on to recruit voters to vote for Democrats in coming elections due to the promises they have made regarding veterans benefits, retired military benefits etc. When I look back over the 8 years of the Clinton Administration, all I can remember is the disassembly of our armed forces into a hollow force that had to be rebuilt under the Bush Administration. I cannot think of a single benefit the Democrats passed into law for veterans during the 8 years of the Clinton scandal ridden administration. Many promises were made during their campaigns but none were kept. Look at the leaders in the Democrat Party: Howard Dean, Ted Kennedy, Jesse Jackson, Hillary Clinton, Barbara Boxer etc., none of whom would give a veteran the time of day. I agree that Mr. Chu and the other gentleman you mentioned in the basic letter should be put out to pasture along with Rumsfeld if he is in fact advocating a reduction in veterans benefits. Thanks for your information. Both political parties are presently at risk for we the veterans. RMT

Comment: Sometimes the baby goes out with the bathwater...Democrats are no better but Republicans are in charge...throwing out some of the Republican leadership is needed. We need to look forward with action now. Harry Riley

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