2.7% pay raise for military personnel - Maybe!

[BOSSHOG]

That's how the house wants to support our troops. The senate is offering 2.2%. Can't you feel the awesome support for those dying for a liar? Hell, retirees will get more than that because their COLA raises are based on inflation.

And why should those in a combat zone need protective vests, they'd get killed in a car wreck if they were here, and they are all volunteers and most of them fake PTSD. "Conservative" support for our troops in a nutshell.

[ShortnFiery]

1. Well, the Military Retirees are not so "fat and sassy" health-wise

because certain individual Pharmaceutical Companies such as GlazoSmithKline, et. al., will NOT negotiate for lower prices, our TriCare Prime Co-Payments for many medications have risen over 110% since August of this year. However, at least we rate the ability to buy into the TriCare Prime Program. Who knows when they (Our Republican Led Corporate Congress) may decide to put Retiree programs on the chopping block too? :(

[BOSSHOG]

3. I hope to stay healthy for a long long time

We are on Tricare Standard and my wife has good insurance at work, but I keep a close ear and eye out for the latest news on the subject. Currently there is a proposal for a one time $40 per family buy in for standard but that has not passed yet.

Its sad we have to keep an eye on any of that stuff.

[demnan]

2. I recently sent Senator Warner a letter

about how horrible it was that near all these military posts the loan sharks have set up shop. They should abolish these crooks and pay the miliary enough to get by on without taking out loans. When we get people like Webb in, hopefully we'll get more benefits for the military, most importantly, keeping them out of foreign wars.

[BOSSHOG]

4. I was amazed at the proposal

to top the interest rates off at 39%. An E-3 with a wife and kid trying to make ends meet, getting a payday loan for (as low as) 39%. Now that's an outrage. The rates are upwards of 300%. I was a financial counselor in the Navy and it was a full time job keeping our kids out of money troubles.

And those who set up those PayDay Loan shops near bases are displaying their "conservative" values. No doubt limbaugh would endorse such activities, just like price gougers after hurricanes. Its the market man, this is America.

[izzie]

6. I thought we had laws on that stuff? But for credit cards?

That is really bad interest.

[Stinky The Clown]

5. Those places have *always* been there

I agree. They're leaches and they should be banished .... but they're not illegal.

"The strip" outside the main gate of every military base is a despicale collection of whores and thieves.

[ShortnFiery]

7. It's tragic, because they are doing the best they can ...

The young married enlisted should have access to sound financial counseling centers. Even more I wish that I could Mind-Meld with some youngsters to actually take time to budget wisely when they can. :-)

[Stinky The Clown]

8. Even worse than the young marrieds are the young E2s and E3s who

live on base and have no cars. That strip is the 'outside' for them.

Been there and done ***all*** that .... and more. Its very sad and for the young people, pretty cold and lonely. To say nothing of predatory.

[ShortnFiery]

9. Oh yeah!

I remember being sent to Northern Japan to a place called "Misawa Air Force Base" for a six week assignment.

The term "Austere and Lonely" was meant for that place and especially the bars, strip joints and underbelly establishments right outside it's borders. :(