Bill to boost veterans' benefits puts Nevada Republicans in difficult posi

[Judi Lynn]

Monday, September 22, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Bill to boost veterans' benefits puts Nevada Republicans in difficult position


WASHINGTON -- Nevada Republicans in the U.S. House are finding themselves in the uncomfortable position of choosing between veterans and the White House on the issue of improving retirement benefits for military retirees.

A retiree's pension is reduced dollar-for-dollar by the disability benefits received from the Department of Veterans Affairs, according to current law.

For years, efforts failed to change the law to allow disabled military retirees to receive both their full disability and their pension checks.

The Bush administration has opposed such concurrent receipts, citing projected costs of $58 billion over 10 years. (snip/...)

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2003/Sep-22-Mon-2003/news/22200879.html

[Democat]

1. Read that again

They have to support either The White House or veterans.

The White House does not support the military except as a tool to steal taxpayer money by invading oil rich countries. American soldiers should be outraged.

[izzie]

2. As a person who was once married to a navy man

That was how we always looked at the GOP and we hoped for the Dem as then pay would go up or be better.That is why I say the service is not GOP and never has been. Look to see how the votes are taken by the 'ruler' in the service.

[The Backlash Cometh]

3. I wish I could hear more comments like yours.

I don't recall that it was so diehard Republican either. And if it was, they were there to uphold our constitution and government and happily fought for a country which was inherently Democratic and free.

[izzie]

6. Do you recall this?

When they found out what North had done a man from West Point was on TV and said this is not what we are teaching these men. I understand now tht the Officers in the service are promoted a long party lines and that is a real sin. The party, to have a job, is getting into to many things like the Nat. Int. Or Health.Bad business.

[damnraddem]

7. The politicization of the U.S. military alone is reason to impeach Dubya.

Rather, one should say the Stalinization of the U.S. military. As Franken has noted, Dubya has sent Clinton's military out to 'win' in combat -- not that it can make anything of those 'wins' under Bushista leadership. Dubya's military, when Dubya has finished shaping it, will be incapable of such tasks.

[DemVet]

4. Both parties are guilty here

None of the political parties has supported this concurrent receipt policy. Clinton/Gore had 8 years to ram this through and didn't. One of my main litmus tests for which Dem candidate I will support is based on this issue. Maybe Clark, I don't know......

[Tempest]

5. Clinton did support and attempt to pass concurrent receipts

The Repugs in Congress voted it down in committee and in bills sponsered by Democrats several times.

Go through the Congressional Almanac if you want the truth.

[fknobbit]

8. Clinton had 8 yrs.

or more than twenty years legislation has been proposed to correct this tragedy and every year that legislation has failed. As a historic first step, President Clinton signed the 2000 Defense Authorization Act (Public Law 107-107), which eliminated the concurrent receipt offset for retired military veterans. All that is required now is for the President and the Congress to fund this authorization. President Bush continues to threaten to veto any such attempt.

[newyawker99]

9. Hi fknobbit!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[fknobbit]

11. thanks!

damnraddem

Talk about cognative disonance or pure BS if you prefer....Not only has clintons military done a great job, but the republicans are screaming Clinton ruined the military via reduction while Rumsfield is promoting reducing it more. It's cheaper to maim reservist.

newyawker99

Thanks for the welcome!



JudiLyn

As a retired disabled Vet this topic is dear to my heart and I Greatly appreciate your post And I find comfort in the responses.

We have a commitment on the multiple Veterans boards that closly follows the DU mind set and thats.......OUT THE DOOR IN 04!

A Veteran voting Republican is like a chicken voting for Col Sanders.

[Judi Lynn]

12. fknobbit, excellent posts.

Surely could use your input on these things. If Bush's secret war against the people he's using doesn't get appropriately recognized soon, we're all in far worse trouble than anyone could imagine.

The right wing has been living with the delusion that military Americans are all behind them, it seems.

Great to hear your voice here! :hi: :hi: :hi:

[Rebellious Republican]

13. I am a Vet, still have all my body parts though, thanks for the...

post fknobbit. I am glad to hear that the veterans organizations are seeing shrub for what he really is. Keep us informed, there are alot of veterans that post here. Welcome!

:toast:

[Nevernose]

10. The repukes reps here seem to be die-hard Bush-zombies

But there are an AWFUL lot of retired and disabled veterans in Las Vegas. I suspect that while our local repukes are indeed crazy, they're not stupid, either.

[fknobbit]

14. Seeing through the shrubster!

The major VSO's are not as important to this issue as are the many forums that have sprung up in the last year. The majors like to have their pictures made with chimpy during photo ops and a very small part of their membership are RETIRED disabled.. The military, I read some where, are historical right leaning. That is changing rapidly as disabled Veterans are now telling the active duty what to expect when crippled, via the internet. There are some 600,000 retired disabled, and family, who will be on hand in Nov 2004 to show the resident the door. We have another year to inform the active duty.