EMNofSeattle
Regular Member
Addressing just your screed about military disability benefits -
So Joe Serviceman puts in his time knowing that there is some risk he might lose body parts if not his life, and you want to leave him there on the sidewalk with a tin cup begging for money to live on? (I do not care if you agree or disagree with the foreign policy that sent Joe Serviceman to where he got blown up. He went in what he thought was service to his country, thus service to you.)
Or what about Joe Serviceman who puts 20 or 30 years in service, at a pay scale much lower than most of the rest of working Americans? His "contribution" to that defined-benefit retirement plan was time and risk. It was in the contract he signed when he enlisted/was commissioned, and in every one he signed when he reenlisted/accepted a commission at a higher rank. But I guess breaking contracts is OK with you.
Just where do you get the $1,500/month left after paying housing and food costs? I'd like to see both the source and the figures.
As for living on $200/month (even after housing and food) - please come back in about 90- days and tell us how that worked out.
Civillians can buy disability insurance. Service members cannot - because insurance companies specifically disallow injuries due to acts of war and define any military service as an act of war. Change that so servicemembers can buy quality disability insurance at the rate offered to civillians and see how many flock to purchase it - it's going to be better that what you get from the government. (And I say that as a disabled vet who actually thinks the care he gets at the local VAMC is outstanding - in some regards better than what I waas getting through private pay until the premiums I had to pay because of my disability (pre-existing condition) grew to more that my monthly income.)
Translate that to cops, firefighters and the like who also voluntarily put themselves at higher risk in order to serve you. Have you thought how the recruitment of replacements would go if those benefits were not part of the deal? (Yes, I admit some contracts have outrageous benefit plans. but those are all negotiable based on municipalities refusing to go further in debt along with a willingness to risk lesser service due to some folks leaving because of the change in benefits.)
There are things I would like to say about someone who espouses the notions you do. I contracted with the owners pof this site not to use that sort of language here on their site, and I will honor a contract I have made.
stay safe.
I think you missed the point of my post, I was being sarcastic and attempting to point out that eye95 is opposing laws mandating fair treatment of employees and of certain benefits while he is retired from the government collecting the same types of benefits he opposes for private sector workers.
I am not seriously advocating we cut retirement and government employee benefits. I have no problem with the current pay scale and benefits the military recieves. I do however have a problem with eye95 wanting to take us back to 1870 working for 10 cents an hour 350 days a year in 12 hour shifts with no family leave, workmans comp, disability, or safety equipment.
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