those against entitlements usually have all of the entitlements

[2Design]

take congress, the admin, government employees, the military, and so many more who are living off our government while denying everyone the same

<snip> Doug Nordman
Age: 46
Retirement Age: 41
Residence: Mililani, Hawaii
Career: Officer, U.S. Navy
"After 20 years of active service in the military, you can retire with a pension worth about half your final basic pay. I've read that more than 85 percent of officers who retire start a second career. I went through all the assessments, which said I should be a nuclear engineer or a midlevel manager. That was pretty much what I was doing.

"I was griping about it to my dad, and he asked, 'Didn't you save anything over the last 20 years?' I had never thought of that before. So in June 2002, after my 20 years were up, I retired.

"My wife and I have always tracked our expenses and lived below our means. We were able to figure out what our expenses would be, and we have a portfolio large enough to sustain us through the remainder of our lives. Part of that is in a Thrift Savings Plan, which is like a 401(k) for government and military employees. I also receive $36,000 a year from my pension, which covers our mortgage, groceries and most other expenses.

"My wife, who was also in the Navy, is in the reserves, and that can pay as much as $15,000 a year, though usually it is much less. Health care and inflation are solved by the military. The pension comes with a cost-of-living adjustment, and you get cheap health insurance - $460 a year covers the family.

<snip>

http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2007/fortune/0706/gallery.retire50.fortune/5.html

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. Military people spent 20 or more years to earn the retirement. That's a pretty major

commitment. It's a choice that they make. In some cases they could have made a lot more money during those 20 or 30 years doing a similar job in the civilian community.

[2Design]

2. and those enron employees who spent 20 years - what did they get?

And what about all the rest of us who spend 20 years with companies and then have it taken away

I am just saying I have meet more and more people who are against entitlement who are military or retired military or working in some government job - we are paying for them - we are paying for all those congress critters to have full benefits and high wage retirement and yet NONE of them want us to have it - only them -

[NaturalHigh]

3. Are you saying that military personnel...

who have given twenty years of service don't deserve a retirement?

[2Design]

6. No - I am saying that most seem to think we don't

I knew when I wrote this it would be twisted
but what the heck

They don't want us to have universal health care or any other benefits

I think we all deserve something back for the time we give
and health care is a bigger

so when those who are entitled complain about those who want entitlement (like health care) - I have a problem

[Mr Rabble]

4. Universality does not apply in the US.

Look at the responses here. They are going to include all kinds of rationalizations about government employees making less than civilians; dedicating their lives to service, etc...

All of which are crap excuses.

A person's "choice" about working for the government is rarely one made out of concern for the country. Rather, government service is seen as just another career path. Further, it can be seen as one that will provide some level of security in a very volatile market.

Further, anyone who has contributed to the common betterment of society through a lifetime of paying taxes is entitled to a decent pension. Period.

[treestar]

5. I don't mind them getting that, except for the ones who are freepers

whining about the poor "getting a handout."

Those same people are always for the government not "sticking its nose" into such things.