Question about military pay under Clinton

[ashling]

I know someone in the military who, though open minded on some things, is a Republican. He attributes this to the fact that when Clinton was in office his family had to utilize WIC and other stuff because of the low pay. He says his pay has risen under W.

I seem to recall that Clinton wanted to spend more money to pay the troops but the Republicans wanted to spend for weapon systems. Am I right? .... in addition to the fact that
veterans are getting screwed by W.

Please, give me some facts to givto refute his attitude.

[Catherine Vincent]

1. His pay was low probably because his rank was low.

I hear the longer you're in the service, the more money you make. :shrug:

[ashling]

2. I am sure that is true

he is a drill sargent. But I think it is correct to say that pay was lower, in part, because of the Republican controlled Congress.

[TheDebbieDee]

3. I was active duty Army from Dec82 - Jul91............

(I was active duty under Reagan and the first Bush) and it seemed as though 99% of the lower ranking enlisted soldiers with children qualified for WIC and other subsidies.

You know, just before I got shipped off to the first Persian Gulf War, I took a pencil and calculator and figured that I was putting my ass on the line, for my country, for a mere $14,000 per year (after taxes).

[Monkeyman]

4. Clinton wanted pay raises but Republican Controlled Congress

Voted Nay. The Replugs love to use the blame game but the truth is they stopped Clinton from helping the Veterans and the Military. As to weapons systems the replugs pured a lot of money into them. Right now Bush's budget for veterans are huge cuts. Last year alone 600,000 veterans and returning troops were denied or put on huge waiting list.1.2 million veterans if his budget stand will be tossed out of the VA for their health care. Hope that helps . Put in 2007 Veterans Budget and you will see the cuts to health care and programs. Plus his hand picked Veterans Commission is trying to close 18 VA hospitals and 3500 clinics

[ashling]

5. Exactly

but I am looking for specific votes, etc.

Thanks