More veterans benefits taken away.

[icedad]

Just thought I'd share a thought. I signed on that dotted line 40 yars ago and I was told I would get get FREE medical care for the rest of my life. Well, that's been taken away from me along with my travel reimbursement as of late. They took away my pain meds, (BTW, I am disabled) because I had to go into the emergency room one time and received narcotics for muscle spasms. I'm now labeled a "drug seeker". Now the current administration has taken away the chance for a veteran to receive a college education. What is wrong with government and why are they doing this to the veterans who are protecting their FAT asses up in Washington?
My question to these FAT cats, how do you expect an 18 year old to sign on the dotted line and put his life on the line for you, when the 2 biggest offenders of stealing the bennies from our vets have never served 1 day in the military? If I were 18, I know I would never do it again. Am I wrong for feeling this way?

Maybe I shouldn't have posted this, but I'm venting again.
Talk of the County - Lake County News-Sun

[GARYD]

Me neither.

I can't even go to a VA hospital and pay for service let alone free.

Only thing I remember getting from Uncle Sam was a cheaper and easier home loan.

Not sure how being disabled in combat is handled. I would think the government should do something to help in that case.

With the financial mess the government is in right now, I'd be surprised if we get anything at all....maybe they'll even charge us for the priviledge of being in the service and all the training we got.

[icedad]

Yep, You're wrong! Nobody ever promised me free medical care for life just for being in the military.

Well, I hate to say it, but you are right. Myself and hundreds of thousands of veterans were promised these benefits by recruiters and career planners. I found an article in stars and stripes that states they did an investigation in 2003 and found no hard physical evidence anywhere stating we deserve these benefits. It just amazes me that none of this was ever explained to me by the VA over the course of the last 40 years, until all of a sudden I receive a bill. I can serve my time in hell and not receive a thing, but someone in Washington can serve 4 years and receive benefits and a lifelong pension for not ever having to put their life on the line. Dam! Only in America.
I guess what I'm saying is then, we were promised this and now we are getting screwed and tatooed. You were lucky to know of this ahead of time. For the last 40 years I was led to believe this fact along with the rest of us.
I guess this explains why so many vets are comitting suicide.

I can understand now.

Thanks ohae

[slick rick]

First of all I want to thank you for your services. I for one think you have all the right's in the world to vent on something so serious.I also think anyone else affected this way will feel as you do. I'm terribly sorry any veteran would have to go through this while our government can waste the money they do. Now I have never been in the military and have been lucky enough to never need government help and hope I never do. In your case it's something you earned by laying it on the line and again I thank you.So just hang in there and believe,,,, IT WILL ALL WORK OUT,,,,hope you understand I'm sincere and wish you best of luck.I also think a lot of people will be affected before these four years are up and that's when the venting really starts......LOL

[eighty80]

I was promised one meal and 1 hour of sleep a day. I don't think it was in writing either.

I am proud that I served my country, and asked for nothing in return. It's the government that scares me.

I would do it again.

Later, eighty80.

[icedad]

I was promised one meal and 1 hour of sleep a day. I don't think it was in writing either.

We were all promised that as I remember and sometimes we didn't even get that. Maybe it was the recruiters who had quotas to meet, because during the time period I went in, the draft was still in effect. Maybe the area, but the friends I have were promised the same thing as long as we were honorably discharged. Live and learn, even if it took me 40 years to do so.
I am too also proud to have served even if it was in turbulent times. We had the GI bill that paid for everything as long as we stayed in school and got passing grades. I'm saying, these kids nowadays should have some kind of incentive and written in stone guarantee of something, or why should they join an all volunteer branch of service, that may lay them off anyways due to budget cuts.
If I were asked to join the service nowadays, with the current situation, I don't know that I could. They would have to draft me.

Not saying I'm not proud to have done my duty to God and country.

I would have to question it as we did during the Viet Nam era.

[katfish16]

Just thought I'd share a thought.

I signed on that dotted line 40 yars ago and I was told I would get get FREE medical care for the rest of my life. Well, that's been taken away from me along with my travel reimbursement as of late. They took away my pain meds, (BTW, I am disabled) because I had to go into the emergency room one time and received narcotics for muscle spasms. I'm now labeled a "drug seeker". Now the current administration has taken away the chance for a veteran to receive a college education. What is wrong with government and why are they doing this to the veterans who are protecting their FAT asses up in Washington?
My question to these FAT cats, how do you expect an 18 year old to sign on the dotted line and put his life on the line for you, when the 2 biggest offenders of stealing the bennies from our vets have never served 1 day in the military? If I were 18, I know I would never do it again. Am I wrong for feeling this way?

Maybe I shouldn't have posted this, but I'm venting again.
Talk of the County - Lake County News-Sun

When I went in the Coast Guard in 69 they said I would have the medical for the rest of my life. As stated that has not happened, I now pay for Dental,,tricare and anything else they decide they are not going to pay for.. As for the 18 year old, I cannot in good faith recommend the service to anyone.

They promise and promise and then take away..

I spent 28 yrs in the service moved 14 times and now my retirement check has been greatly reduced by the bills I am having to pay, that were supposed to be free.. Just recently they increased the copay on medication not just a little but a lot.

Am I bitter U bet ya. The only thing I can do is use my Voting power, (for whatever that is worth)...
Best of luck

[eagle1]

yes they did say you will get free med. care for life.some got it in writeing, but congress
deemed it a non-enforceable contract. i forget the exact wording.
mainly its called hi-unemployement!!!
sequestration
where the card for us 100%ers to get medical care at any hospital.Obama floated that idea once. i know in the same ray hole as the other promises.
SOMEDAY they are going to give a WAR & nobodys gonna show up.

[meredog]

Eliminate Career polititions and replace them with people who are there for one or two terms with a genuine desire to do what is best for the country.&lt;br /&gt;<br />
Allow the American voters to vote on devisive issues via the internet

[Bill Reber]

I am a level two with the VA a one is a 100% disabled vet or a medal of honor winner. The levels go to about 15 as I recall the higher the number , the higher the number the less service you'll get , but ANY vet can sign up at the VA and they can not turn you down because you are homeless or can't pay. These are the facts as I know them and I do use the VA I don't have to because I have good insurance I use them because my fellow service brothers and sisters depend on them and we ARE conected.

[Trent]

My Sweet Wife and I love and appreciate all of our retired and active Military Citizens and donate $$ fiercely to Wounded Warriors on a regular basis. We give a humble thank you to all of you who have served and are serving.

That being said, I do not have the words to express my disgust, anger, and sorrow about the treatment of our Veterans by this administration. It is no secret that the top of the pyramid does not like the military and only has to put on a fake front beacuse there is no political choice. I dont know what else to say without turning this into a political rant so I will now close my mouth.

[skuuter]

.....interesting Thread............

[pcombe]

It sure enough takes a good long time to learn the difference between humility and being humiliated.

My old daddy pointed out what should be expected when the returning Viet Nam vet. Was spit on in the airport upon his return?

He told me not to rely on the govt. or any of the people to respect what the vet, has done because that time had passed in America. It was evident in doing nothing more than watching nightly newscasts and trying to hide that prevalent attitude in letters.

For many years his words rang true in every day life, and still ring true in the treatment of the vet by the Govt.
Although the attitudes of people have once again returned to what they were during and after the Korean and world war two era conflicts.

For many of my Viet Nam era buddies that respect came too little and too late. Some not wanting to share they had ever been anywhere near that conflict
For many, The wall only hurts!
I guess nowadays I could be considered one of the 47%. Touted in the last election as being someone who expects something for nothing but you know something old son?
I did the best I could and made my life what it is regardless of Govt, labels or the varied platitudes of people that see me as less than I am.

I can not bring myself to cry for a whaaa-bulance because I’m pretty sure it will not be forthcoming.
I am not criticizing you for your view on the medical issue. In fact I’m not criticizing you at all because I see your point of view as being more than valid?
I see it as a right of passage: something due the warrior!

I try not to let the fact that folks in our congress who do nothing more than obstruct justice can still deem themselves worthy of benefits denied the average citizen let alone one who has served?
The average citizen sees through that entitlement.

Ultimately, I guess the vote is what remains of the cause we fought for because nothing else remains of the ideal in question in those far lands so long ago but so close to who we are. And I suppose that will have to be enough?

I guess, I just learned what lesson needed to be learned watching the example set by vets, while NOT reacting to having to wiping spit off our faces.

Now that’s courage!

It is only through greater humility that I have ever been able to summon enough faith and courage to carry me through adversity.
It was true then and it’s still true today.
My heart is with you brothers!

[crackercap]

The ones who serve or are serving cannot get benefits so many deserve. We have too many who receive benefits that are not veterans and get these benefits because of entitlements they feel they are owed because they are minoritys, etc. They have not earned these benefits and unless we can get rid of some of these politicians who think along these lines, we are doomed. Too many that are making these laws, etc., do not serve in congress for us but for themselves....

[pcombe]

The ones who serve or are serving cannot get benefits so many deserve. We have too many who receive benefits that are not veterans and get these benefits because of entitlements they feel they are owed because they are minoritys, etc. They have not earned these benefits and unless we can get rid of some of these politicians who think along these lines, we are doomed. Too many that are making these laws, etc., do not serve in congress for us but for themselves....

I submit these thoughts with the greatest respect for your point of view sir.
I sincerely mean that!
I guess i have just become an old softy.
I would sooner see my tax dollar go to a struggling woman and her children for their care regardless of who they are and their station in life. Also for the vet.
I have many Canadian relatives and not one of them disslike their healthcare system.
It took five years for my wifes sister to die from cancer, every one has a story like that one!
My brother in law didn't wind up homeless, or loose his bank accounts or his retirement
for the want of covering medical costs.
Even when the cause seemed hopeless the candian health care system sent her to the mayo clinic in Minniapolis for one last try at remission and it was succesful for a year. All at no EXTRA cost. Yes they pay for their country's health system.
I am just saying that if i am paying taxes i would sooner pay for universal health care than a politicians pet pork project?

[GARYD]

The ones who serve or are serving cannot get benefits so many deserve. We have too many who receive benefits that are not veterans and get these benefits because of entitlements they feel they are owed because they are minoritys, etc. They have not earned these benefits and unless we can get rid of some of these politicians who think along these lines, we are doomed. Too many that are making these laws, etc., do not serve in congress for us but for themselves....

SO VERY TRUE!!


ICEDAD, and they don't even have to serve their full term in office to get all the perks. I wish I could snap my fingers and EVERY current politician would dissapear. Then we could start fresh and tell the new ones if you don't look out for us - you'll be gone too.
The american people have to all come together (impossibe) and vote them out. Even their guy (which to them can do no wrong - it's the other guys politician that's bad) has to go.

[pcombe]

I agree my friend.
Fire em all and let god sort em out!

[slick rick]

Pick a man not a party!!!!!!!!!!

[skuuter]

.....................still "interesting".....

[Bill Reber]

I hate say that many who bitch about this crap goverment are those who were to lazy to get off their a-- and vote ! nuff said.