There is no price for Americans to pay for our Military.
By Jaded Posted in War — Comments (10) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Heartbreaking story on a fine young soldier and Patriot today that needed to be shared with my fellow Redstaters and everyone.
Here is one of our brave who should never be forgotten.
Army Pfc. Joseph Dwyer
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/ny-lisold0706,0,814136,print.story
This young man like so many of our returning heroes are not finding the help they need and are not getting the help they need. We the American public need to demand more from our political leaders beyond the requisite Patriotism. We need them to recognize that not everyone who needs help is going to request it because they are to hurt to ask. We need our politicians to spend more money on these over 2 million soldiers who protect our way of life instead of funding bridges to no where.
Soldiers need pay raises, they need better housing on bases, they need healthcare that is not run by the federal government and in lieu of that if a soldier is not near a VA hospital or doctor they need to be able to go to any doctor anywhere and have it paid for. This is not a maybe this is a given for their service to us.
The soldiers of United States Military should get the pay of an IT professional or an Engineer. They are laying their lives on the line for us. There should be no limit to what they deserve. This is one area that our federal government should be generous with because it is one of the only area's I believe the federal government ought to be involved with...the National Defense.
You cannot read these stories and not expect more to be done. I don't want my tax dollars going to teapot museums or hippie retreats in NY they absolutely should be going to the small amount of Americans who fight for the majority of us to enjoy our lives. I blame no one here, neither party, but I implore them both to respond to the needs of our finest members of this society. We waste so many tax dollars on the most insignificant items that we could make the lives of our soldiers so much more comfortable, as it should be.
One idea that I've had for a while is an immediate pay raise for all US military, guard and reserve folks.
A graduated tax free income. Something along the lines of up to E6 and O3 ranks, completely tax free income, ranks above that exemption tapering off.
As a way to increase pay right now to our military and a way to encourage re-enlistment, something along these lines would be an interesting proposal by Senator McCain.
On the death of Army Pfc. Joseph Dwyer, tough one and I don't know all the facts of the care he received for his PSTD, I don't think we as a nation can spend enough on care for our fallen warriors.
______________________________________
NObama...no way!.....McCain '08 !
His death is but one of many in this circumstance. We here will never know the horrors they have seen and the help that they need. Not every human being can compartmentalize and the shrinks that MUST see them before they leave service MUST be the best so they can recognize the help needed.
I would support McCain fully and without question if he were to guarantee our military tax free earnings....who deserves it more than they do....NO ONE!
Freedom of Religion NOT Freedom from Religion
I began writing about 35 friends back in 2001 that it had begun to seem that our newly-elected president seemed to have but one goal; to gut and cut the pay and benefits of our active-duty military and our veterans. And his record doesn't seem to have improved much since; and I had supported and voted for him in 2000.
As an old Vietnam-era veteran, I have continued writing that it takes a whole lot more than a cute little bumper sticker to "support the troops." It's refreshing to see someone at redstate realize that and write about it. Thank You, jaded.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=mccain+vote+on+veterans+benefits&bt...
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=bush+vote+on+veterans+benefits&btnG...
My very personal interest began with the death of my niece's husband Brad in October, 2006, when he was killed by an IED at the age of 24. My niece had just learned she was pregnant a few days before he was killed.
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?S=5541153
Sadly, he is just one of many most of us will never hear or know about.
We might disagree on a lot of other things, but not this. I appreciate your writing this diary, jaded.
when you could have picked out former President Clinton and every Senator and Congressperson who has talked out of one side of their face on this issue and than they show up in parade's and do nothing.....lets not be partisan on this issue because there is plenty of blame to go around...period.
If we the American people want something different on this issue we the American people need to call our congresscritters and make our voices heard....both D's and R's need to hear from us.
Freedom of Religion NOT Freedom from Religion
IMO this is not a left vs right subject - this is a wrong vs right subject. Neither the Ds or the Rs are completely innocent in the crime of omission with respect to supporting our country's wounded warriors. Those who served in our all-volunteer military should always be remembered and not just forgotten.
Extreme taxation, excessive controls, oppressive government competition with business … frustrated minorities and forgotten Americans are not the products of free enterprise.Ronald Reagan
Patriot Bill must focus on the providing all benefits including salaries of soldiers in active duties. The incentives should invite them to continue their services and pursue better achievement in the military, not inviting them to get out of military.
Those who are injuried should also receive benefits and specific programs for reintegration.
Those who are fully incapacitated must be given special packages.
NOTE: The incentives must not promote soldiers to leave the military but enjoin the soldiers to be more financial proud as active soldiers of this country.
Democrats bill is flawed through and through.
in which I do support the expansion of the government. The military is wholly the government's creature; these young men and women give up a great deal of personal freedom when they join the military.
However, we must ensure that the government leave as much as possible to the private sector. For example, I'm not sure that there should be VA hospitals at all; why not simply give the veterans and members of the Armed Services the best private medical insurance that can be purchased on the open market (with competitive bidding by insurance companies)?
With that minor proviso, I agree -- the nation should do more than pay lip service to our soldiers and our veterans.
-TS
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." - Ronald Reagan
I'm guessing that military hospitals have different rules and regulations, so going commercial would subject the military to civilian medical standards and law. Sheer speculation on my part, but I think the military would rather deal with an expensive and inefficient VA.
"Austere, intolerant, well-armed, and blood-thirsty, in their own regions the Wahhabis are a distinct factor which must be taken into account" - Winston Churchill, 1921
Committee? Oh yeah, he's too busy running for president and doesn't have time to take care of our own.