|
|
| Home |
|
|
| Current Blog |
Medical Care: Illegal Immigrants vis-à-vis Military Veterans by Harry Riley
Robert Pear of The New York Times Company, reported May 9, 2005
"The Bush administration announced on Monday that it would
start paying hospitals and doctors for providing emergency care to illegal
immigrants. The money, totaling $1 billion, will be available for
services provided from Tuesday through September 2008."
As a veteran and military retiree, I find government policy and funding
for anything "illegal" to be astounding, but to provide a
virtual blank check for medical care funding for illegal immigrants is
"salt in the wound" of all veterans who are fighting for earned
medical care and other benefits.
"Emergency care" for illegal immigrants means many
conditions.....it means when you have a sniffle, off to the emergency
room...next will be pre-natal, post natal, care of infants, on and
on...whatever it takes.......politicians have our nation on a slippery
slope to legalized destruction. Policies of this nature simply
enable others to view illegal actions as justified and sanctioned by the
US government, creating greater expectations. Whatever happened to
a "nation of laws"?
Our veterans, at least the majority of the 23 or so million, park and complain they
are being shafted (they are)...not appreciated (they are not), spouses
and widows neglected (they are), but these same patriots refuse to
stand-up and be counted. However, the other side of the coin
suggests warriors that protect our freedom and liberty should not have
to fight the very government they sacrificed to protect...if
government ignores obligations and commitments made to it's warriors,
can anyone count on anything done in Washington, D.C.?
When a citizen answers the call, leaves blood and body parts, or
perhaps a life on the battlefield, there should be no need to convince
the leaders of a nation to keep commitments and honor warrior
sacrifices. Unfortunately, warriors, spouses, and widows
must beg, plead, and yes, whine for earned benefits...the question
now is, do they get in line behind illegal immigrants?
Responses To: Medical Care: Illegal Immigrants vis-à-vis Military Veterans
I AM NO LONGER SURPRISED AT THE LACK
OF GOVERNMENT CONSIDERATION FOR ITS
WARRIORS. BUT I AM AGOG AT THE
SWIFTNESS OF THE APPROVAL OF
$$BILLIONS FOR ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS, AS
WELL AT THE $$15BILLIONS APPROVED FOR
FIGHTING AIDS IN AN AFRICAN COUNTRY,
TO MENTION ONLY A COUPLE SUCH
EXTRAVAGANT WASTES OF AMERICAN
TAXES. NO NEED TO MENTION
HOW MUCH AMERICAN WARRIORS
WOULD HAVE APPRECIATED TO HAVE
BEEN SO REWARDED. IT IS
RARE THAT WARRIORS GET ANY INCREASE OF
ANY TYPE THEN IT TAKES
MANY MONTHS TO YEARS TO BE APPROVED IN INSIGNIFICIENT
WATERED-DOWN PORTIONS. I OFTEN
WONDER WHAT SO MANY FOREIGNERS, MANY
ILLEGALS, HAVE DONE FOR AMERICA THAT
MAKES THEM SO MUCH MORE ELIGIBLE THAN
AMERICAN WARRIORS. AN
EXPLANATION IS OWED BY OUR
LEADERSHIP.
BOB IRVIN, ARMY DISABLED RETIRED
Again Harry, I am in full agreement. A friend of all the Veterans in my community was dying of cancer a short time ago. He was a WWII Veteran Marine and survivor of Iwo Jima landing. He was a proud veteran but could not get help from the VA and they would not even let him die in the VA Hospital. He just could not get help. Finally just this past monday, several of our local Veterans got the VA hospital to agree to take him in. But by the time they got to the nursing home where his wife had been force to take him, he had just passed away that morning. His wife is destitute, without any income, unable to pay the nursing home bills. An Iwo Jima vet that his country will not help? You damn right I am angry about Bush funding a Billion dollars for illegal Mexican Immigrants and Veterans cannot even get considered for any treatment even if they almost had to die defending this country. Wont be long before neither Bush nor any other President will be able to fight any wars even to protect our country if this madness keeps up. Who will defend their country when their country will not even defend them? SF Col, do not give up the fight. We are with you all the way. Do or Die.
Rich
Isn't it simply amazing. The
administration and congress claim that
providing those of us who dedicated the
youth of our lives to serving our country
is too expensive for them to do and yet
they can find one billion dollars to
provide health care for people entering
our country illegally. I, a retired Navy veteran, cannot get Government-funded hearing aids, but Juan Doe, can be coddled, even though he is an illegal alien. I get to contribute to his welfare through taxes, however. I resent this funding which adds to an already overstrained budget.
R. M. Averett
Lcdr, USN (Ret)
Unfortunately, warriors, spouses, and widows
must beg, plead, and yes, whine for
earned benefits...the question now is, do
they get in line behind illegal immigrants? Howie To Harry Riley
In your essay on Medical Care I again must
tell you that you are wrong when you say
"for illegals..........next will be
pre-natal, post natal, care of infants, on
and on...whatever it takes.......
That is not next, it is now and costs
incredible amounts of our tax dollars. In
2004 alone the TRACKABLE costs to Texans was
4.7 billion for that year. This only
includes the costs to our school system from
K through 12 th grade. We cannot track
the medical costs because hospitals are not
allowed to ask whether someone is a legal
citizen. According to activist groups that
is an infringement of their civil rights.
However no infringement exists when they ask
me whether I have insurance, and for my
social security.
This is indeed a nation of laws. But
it has also become a nation where the run
amuck government selects which laws they
will enforce.
That each took a solemn oath to uphold the
constitution and defend America against all
enemies both foreign and domestic.
However those were just words to them and
they do not hold them dear.
We currently have over 60,000 troops on the
border of Korea, Bosnia, and Iraq to protect
their borders. No different than holding
your perimeter. But we leave our borders and
seaports wide open. We invite the
illegals who cross.
I was on the MinutemanProject in Arizona in
April when our President called us all
vigilantes because we want to secure our
border. We were spotting illegals and
then called the border patrol with the
pertinent co-ordinates. Well I believe
that those who are our elected
representatives are made up of either many
fools or outright traitors to this nation.
They have little regard for legal US
citizens and instead lust after those who
will help destroy this country.
I, for one, deeply apologize for the shabby
treatment our military has received. And I
greatly thank you for your service.
There are still some of us who understand
the value of those who stand the line
against the evil in this world. And
sir we honor you and your comrades in arms
for that service.
Sandra Beene Good Sunday afternoon Sir.
I don't know what all you intend to put on
your BLOG but I'll send this along in the
event you want to use it. Check it out first.
#1. You are probably aware that Bush either
signed a law or by executive order, is
spending over 8 Million on healthcare for the
illegals which now number 11.5 Million PLUS.
The immigration service also has a program
that allows them to arrest illegals, issue
them a citation, give them a court date and
release them in the U.S. They never show up
for the court date. Further, you may be aware
that there is 15 Million Dollar contract for a
Charter
Airline to fly some illegals from Texas and couple of other States to Mexico. They make two roundtrips per day. They deliver them to Mexico City and the reason being was that the immigration Service stated it would make it harder to re-enter the U.S. In the past they just took them across the border and they were back in the U.S. the next day. Again Check me on this.
# 2. This past week, A federal Judge in San
Francisco, SEIZED control of the Healthcare
system in the California Prison System. He
said that it would take several years to get
it straighten out. That means there will be
Federal money involved. I think that ruling
come from a judge in the 9th Circuit.
I have written letters to Congress about each of the above items---to no avail. Jim Whittington, MSGT--USAF--RET Yes, I have some commentary, Mr. Riley. You said it in your piece now that I think of it. I have thought of it on previous occasions. You said that the military veterans are not standing up and being counted. Yes, you did, and if there are 23 million of us then something is seriously wrong. I have spoken with many veterans who blabber that they have served their country. Apparently, they think a few years in the military is serving their country and that's all there is to it. I disagree with that attitude Big Time. One can serve his country every day of his or her life. Many who claim to be serving their country are serving no one but themselves. It is inexcusable to sit back and allow illegal aliens to "get in line" before military veterans or "warriors" as you prefer to call them. Well, now is the time to "warrior" just a little bit, wouldn't you say? They have the duty to stand up and be counted. Their function is not to beg or whine or any of the rest of it. They will be held in contempt by the politicians to even a higher degree than they already are if they fail to stand up and be counted. For shame! To allow illegal immigrants to "get in line" in front of them! They bow before their superiors! For shame!
Sincerely,
joe rorke
The comments by United States people serving in Iraq show dedication to their mission and universal esprit de corp. God bless everyone of them and return them - uninjured - to their loved ones. Charlie Adams
To paraphrase Mark Twain.
"Consider that George W. Bush is an idiot.
Consider that he is the president. But I begin
to repeat myself."
Go back to Texas and leave
the rest of us the hell alone.
Cecil B. Currey
COL, USAR (Ret.)
A new law signed by President Bush on May 9, 2005, expands
the 2003 Medicare law, giving $1 billion for emergency care to illegal
immigrants, thereby rendering military retirees, other veterans, and
millions of poor, honest people LAST CLASS
citizenship status.
Why is it considered that our military warriors
untold sacrifices for the freedoms of this once great country have
less priority and concern than those who are breaking the law by their
merely being here in the first place? What in the world is this
country coming to, and how long can it expect to be around, if it
honors illegal aliens so much greater than it's own citizenry?
Has it come to the point where honest, upstanding, legal citizens needs
come last in this country?
All law abiding Americans should be totally
disgusted and fed up. They should do what they can
over the next few years to see that every sitting elected official of
this ilk is voted out of office.
Ron Shaw, USAF, Ret.
Orem, Utah 84057
How can this be, I guess one must become illegal to gain all
the benefits, as a citizen I am not entitled to all of this.
Gene Mahler I have read that article and think it is a shame that illegal immigrants are getting these kind of benefits when our own soldiers and ex military personnel have problems getting the services they need at the VA hospitals. Our politicians seem to be looking for more votes from the minorities and feel by catering to the illegals they can keep their jobs ,it would be nice to know who votes for these benefits so we can throw them out of office and get some people who are really patriots and care for the Americans who live and have made this country what it is. . Fletch Lewis
THIS ARTICLE SHOULD BE EXPANDED AND WIDELY REPRINTED AS IT
SIGNALS A SERIOUS CANCER IN OUR COUNTRY. WHAT CAN BE DONE BY US?
BOND
I read your article and agree 100%. Why are Veterans being shortchanged by congress while illegals are given carte blanche? Even working Americans, and legal immigrants (w/"Green Card") do not get free medical care. Ask the employees of Wal-Mart, Safeway, and of course United Airlines.
I've heard that many cross our southern border
to get FREE medical for childbirth. This seems
counterproductive and irresponsible. Why should the American
taxpayer foot the bill for illegal immigrants to give birth to a
baby that then becomes a de facto American citizen?? We
don't pick up the medical expenses for our own citizens.
This amounts to "Socialized Medicine" for illegals only.
And what happens when anything goes wrong??? They know how
to sue for medical malpractice.
And what of Social Security and Medicare?
When we can't even give our seniors the promises of their
investments in the system, that's right!!! they paid for it
already, then why are we giving it away (medical) to total
strangers. What country can do this and continue to
survive??
And, yes, I've know Veterans that have
been refused care at VA Hospitals - and in the wake of the current
military conflicts in the middle east, well, just check with the
current crop of Veterans. Hell, the media even reported (and
this quickly 'Went away') that seriously wounded military were
just being housed in WW 1 (that's right, 1 as in "ONE")
barracks in some southern state. buildings without
ventilation and without adequate utilities. They were just
waiting for medical care, for weeks. When the story came out
these men and women were transported to Germany for care in
military hospitals there. AND THEN I HEAR ABOUT FREE MEDICAL FOR
ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS!!!! Disgusting!!! You'll have to
pardon, but I've got to excuse myself - gotta go barf!!!!
As I said, I did appreciate
reading your commentary - keep up good work. Change is
necessary.
Anonymous Harry, this is a great way to get the word out. A terrific blog and thanks for letting me know about it. I've passed it on to the Hawaii retirees on my distribution list....plus the Vietnam era Navy Seawolves organization of which I was a PROUD member. Jerry Jackson
Sir:
Isn't it ironic that the VA budget is billions of dollars short to take care of all Veterans - yet our Gov't can provide 1 billion dollars for free health care for illegal immigrants while a lot of U.S. Citizens can't even afford health insurance. Something definitely wrong with this picture. I bet the Mexican Gov't don't provide free health care for their illegal aliens - neither does Canada. John Harry, I sent your excellent letter to our President. Jack Pantall I'm sure you don't have to be told what's next, but I will anyway. Take a gander at S. 850 introduced by Sen. Frist (R-TN) which will provide both medical and dental care to "selected"
countries around the world.
There is, at least, some justification for providing money to
hospitals and doctors who are already providing the medical care to
the illegals. The burden should not be placed strictly on the
border states who must over charge their paying customers to defray
the cost of the medical care which already must be provided gratis.
Hospitals and doctors cannot in good conscience turn these people
away. These illegals need to be stopped at the border and
not allowed to place a burden upon the hospital facilities of our
southern border states! I lived in Florida when the Federal
Government left it up to that state to care for the Mariel refugees
from Cuba. That also should not have been a state problem.
Our Government's failure to control the border with Mexico is directly
related to the desire for cheap labor. The Bush administration
has said little about this issue lately, but they said plenty earlier.
Are our military retirees, veterans, being shortchanged by our
government? Everybody knows the answer to that, but few are
willing to fight to change the situation.
Keep on giving it to them Harry!
Keith
Harry,
I just sent this letter to
Nelson, Martinez, and Congressman Bilirakis.
From 1970-1977 I was an Air
Force Unit Senior NCO. I had no choice in being appointed on Special
Orders to the position of Unit Retention NCO. In the Unit Retention
NCO appointment I contracted with hundreds of re-enlistees for
lifetime medical care. There were conditions 1)reenlist; 2)serve in
the Armed Forces of the United States Government for at least twenty
years, 3) qualify for retirement, 4) you shall receive free
medical care for yourself and all eligible dependents for (their or
yours) life, and 5) with the benefit ending with death.
These were the only conditions. As I understand the UCC legal
contract requirements as taught in every Florida University all the
UCC contract elements were satisfied. 1) Meeting of minds; 2) Offer;
3) Acceptance; 4) Consideration (Comment: since the contract documents
containing the legal agreement were incorporated into the DD Form 4
Enlistment Agreement - which is the source document for the pay of all
Armed Forces members see en Banc US Court of Appeals Case 99-1402 -
the documents were entered into the record of every person whom I counseled
that reenlisted.) 5) Time to start - at retirement; 6) Time to
End - death. 7) Performance. DOD performed to the contract
for over fifty years, terminating in 1995. Today Military
Retirees beg Congress to honor the contract by passing "Keep Our
Promises to Military Retirees" legislation.
Dear Sir; I think the U.S. Government needs to reverse course on this.
It is past time to honor those debts owed to our soldiers and veterans.
Sincerely, Robert G.
Schneider A Troop, 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division. Republic
of 3 Purple
Hearts and NO health insurance!
That's the way I like 'em Harry ... short, sweet and right to the
point. I'm forwarding this to all my Veteran buds.
Anonymous Harry, Everything said about free medical care for illegal immigrants is true. Your analytical obverse comparison to the medical care provided to Warriors/Spouses of the past, as well as that being provided for present and future warriors, does not go deep enough. i.e. The illegal have Presidente Vincente Fox making deals with our Administration. Better yet, the Mexican government is getting away with telling our government what it can, will, and should do for those who leave Mexico with the blessings of the Fox. Is it oil that makes our government accept the responsibility for these illegal? Illegal who are mostly the uneducated, the criminals, and known undesirables/potential Terrorists etc., that Vincente and his crowd are only to happy to see leave Mexico. This while our government could care less about it's Warriors. After all they have no reserve of blood to be exploited. One war, any war, quickly depletes a Warriors blood supply and subsequently turns them and their Spouses/Dependents into worthless burdens. Hearing this often enough from the lips of our Congressmen/congresswomen and those patsies in charge of the Veterans Administrations Health Care programs, is what our Commander In Chief knows will deter the warriors from demanding the health care which was/is promised. It all boils down to this; we, the Warriors are brow-beaten into whining for the health care we were promised, while the Illegals have the Fox barking orders to our government as to the type, quality and quantity of health care our country will provide to those that once were Mexico's health problems. How can this be happening?? Our news Media, that segment of our society wanting to be known as the fourth power of our Democratic system of government, has long since been altered from a lion to a pussycat which thrives on the dishes of milk provided them by our Ministers of Propaganda. Really, where are they on this Illegal immigrant health care versus the Warrior/Spouse promised but not yet provided health care ??? Could it be they, the Media, have joined hands with the other three powers of our Democratic system of government??? After all, isn't holding hands becoming the trend in government???
Andy Spolski, MSgt. USAF Ret. " Medicare eligible"
Harry, I copied the first one, and sent it on to Senators
Kohl, Feingold, and Rep Petri, all from Wisconsin.
Don Buchanan, Wisconsin, (PS Shame on President Bush)
This is so ridiculous, president bush is not in anyway thinking of our troops. my husband spend 23 years in the national guard and army reserve. while he never seen combat it was still a lot for us to give up. we were thinking that when we went to retire that we would at least have good insurance and now we are ready to retire and it is all going to be taken away from us.
I am sorry but we need to stand up and be heard somehow.
Donna June
If a Group of People cause the death and/or maiming of others for
profit and refuse to not only place themselves or members of their
family or their friends, in the same harms way, could they be
classified as cowards?
If a Group of politicians are using their position for
greed, personal fame, and for power, should they be allowed to
remain in in Office or should they be treated as
traitors?
Everything our Government is now doing and has done is an
affront to every loyal Veteran, who willing fought for the freedom
we provided, so that Free Men and Women could pursue their
vocation and live a free and happy life in peace however, we now
have been placed in such a position that we
must either accept the wrongs being perpetrated by our
Government, or take action to oust them.
It is too late to expect most of them to reform, they must
go. For those who are salvageable, I say give them the
opportunity to reform before judging them however, we the People
must exercise out God given right of redress and form an army of
the People and demand our Government return to Government of the
People, For the People and By the People. Join the true
Patriots of this Nation, Join the Veterans Party of America.
www.veteransparty.us/
Change your Voter Registration to the Veterans Party thereby
send a clear message you no longer will blindly follow the abusive
past and present Government by the self appointed wealthy
elitist. Please do not wait, we are nearly lost. Go
directly to your Voter Registration Office join the Peoples Army,
Join the Veterans Party of America.
Bob Thompson
Panama City, Florida
I have no problem giving illegal immigrants emergency
care, food, clothing and shelter; if they need it... but along
with it comes a one way ticket back to the country they came
from, and that country is given a bill to pay for what the U. S.
taxpayer pays for what ever expenses our country pays, plus a
$5,000.00 processing fee per person. And when I say the country
is given a bill, I mean a bill they HAVE TO PAY. Congress has no
problem taking personal possessions of U. S. citizens if we
don't pay. Why not take possessions of other governments.
If they don't like it, have that country become a state and see
how they feel about paying everything for the world.
Chester MILBURN
Spanish Fork, Utah
This letter clearly depicts one of the things that is direly
wrong with our government today. If this problem is not
fixed for our military retirees and other veterans,
recruitment is going to continue to go down the drain and our
nation is going to enter into a very precarious time.
Respectfully,
Captain Ronald J. Shaw, USAF, Ret
Orem, Utah
If you would like to comment, please click here! Submit your ideas to us for posting to our site. |
|
|
Sure to
Create a Wide Variety of Opinion and Commentary.
Please Return to This Site Often to Become a Part of Our Community. |
||
If you have a comment about this or any other subject matter, please Click Here
©2005 PresidentBushBlog.com |
