This Is What I Mean About Politicians

[Pops Racer]

Just read it.

I CHECKED THIS OUT WITH SNOPES.COM AND IT'S TRUE.

Love him or loathe him, he nailed this one right on the head..........

By Rush Limbaugh:

"I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September 11 casualty and those who die serving our country in Uniform are profound No one is really talking about it either, because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11. Well, I can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the entitlement mentality of this country. If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.

If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable.

Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to a screeching halt.

Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough. Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers. (Actually, soldiers are put in harms way by politicians and commanding officers.)

We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.

You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing. Make sense?

However, our own US Congress voted themselves a raise. Many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month. And most are now equal to being millionaires plus. They do not receive Social Security on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the system. If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, they may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and the very people who placed them in harm's way receives a pension of $15,000 per month.

I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting."

I'm sure this will prompt lefties to slam righties, but please concentrate on the issue. The Good Old Boys Club, and the get mine faction.

[7 VII 7]

hmmm... some interesting numbers in there

[gdizzle]

link to article?

[Che'_Moderator]

The numbers are correct but its leaving out a lot of numbers. Any service man killed officer or not is going to receive a pile of money. Well their family. The spouse retains full dependent status, as well as a 100k death gratuity, and 400k service members insurance check for most branches. On top of that the 800 a month, death costs, and the other misc BS IF they file. I grew up a military brat. I saw the staff cars followed by the moving trucks. The sobbing wives and the disoriented children. While it sucks the military takes care of its own, unless they are disabled, then you get boned.

[DonutsDemise]

My dad died while on active duty (not in combat) and it's true, the Army did take care of us and still takes care of my mom. I know they didn't give us millions but they gave us enough to get by and maintain our quality of life which I think is all they should have to give. The trick is figuring out how to deal with it due to all of the loop holes and technicalities because it is possible to get screwed out of benefits. I'm sure it's different from the NCO's that get killed in Iraq, my dad was a full Colonel, but I know the Army won't disown you when your sponsor dies.

[Pops Racer]

link to article?

It was an email i received, so no linky to an article. I'm sure it is on Limbaughs website. I realize the bennies are there, and I still think it's a disgusting differential, but the numbers I wanted you all to comment on were those for the POS congressmen and senators . The base salary is a big deal to me. Thes guys and gals must really love the country.

Sorry for your losses, but I'm glad you can give first hand accounts, Charles and DD. It lends a great deal of gravitas to the post.

I have massive respect for both of your families, career is a serious commitment. No life for a kid, but your experience shows in your personalties and your replies. I would be honored to meet both of you.

[uscgc70]

I will have to agree with Charles here. the Servicemans General Life Insurance policy is now a minimum of $450,000 and you can opt for more for very cheap. we just had four members die on thursday afternoon, and i can assure you that their families will be taken care of very well. i'm not saying that money can replace a father/husband, but the families will be able to support themselves. also, an E-7 with 20 in gets a pension of $1600 plus bennies. i know it's not near what congress get's, but the number in your email are off, so take it with a grain of salt.

[Pops Racer]

Any comments about the 9/11 compensation? Oklahoma Bombing victims are seeking more money also.

I know we are forgetting about enlistment bonuses, educational bennies.

[Austin H]

All I know from what my Dad tells me is that if he dies my Mom, Sister and I will never have to work again.

I'd much rather have my Dad around though. Who else will I email daily with life's questions?

[MyCarIsRed]

And this is why i prefer the way NH does it. State reps get $1 a year and a senate vanity plate. Change comes more slowly, but it's less reactionary. Any time you make money a motivation for doing good it pollutes the pool. When the motivation is no longer money-in-hand, you're there because you want to be, not for monetary gain.

The 9/11 fund is a horrid example of reactive policy... so much money was donated in the weeks following the attack that it overwhelmed the system and it didnt always get out to those who needed it. The worst part is, that even tho there's a huge amount of $$, they arent giving it out as fast as they should. There are millions for college education for the children of victims that haven't been dispersed.

While i have the utmost repect for anyone willing to join the troops and fight for the rest of us (seriously, lord knows i couldn't do it), y'all are crazy if you thing the govt is going to do anything for you after you're done.

Step 1 is either stop paying pols, or put MASSIVE restrictions on any private commercial ventures.

[Pops Racer]

All I know from what my Dad tells me is that if he dies my Mom, Sister and I will never have to work again.

I'd much rather have my Dad around though. Who else will I email daily with life's questions?

I'm jealous of your relationship with your Pops. Really, thats excellent.

[Pops Racer]

And this is why i prefer the way NH does it. State reps get $1 a year and a senate vanity plate. Change comes more slowly, but it's less reactionary. Any time you make money a motivation for doing good it pollutes the pool. When the motivation is no longer money-in-hand, you're there because you want to be, not for monetary gain.

The 9/11 fund is a horrid example of reactive policy... so much money was donated in the weeks following the attack that it overwhelmed the system and it didnt always get out to those who needed it. The worst part is, that even tho there's a huge amount of $$, they arent giving it out as fast as they should. There are millions for college education for the children of victims that haven't been dispersed.

While i have the utmost repect for anyone willing to join the troops and fight for the rest of us (seriously, lord knows i couldn't do it), y'all are crazy if you thing the govt is going to do anything for you after you're done.

Step 1 is either stop paying pols, or put MASSIVE restrictions on any private commercial ventures.

Charles posted earlier about some of the Govt's financial obligations to Military Personel.

[ErikS]

I'm sure this will prompt lefties to slam righties, but please concentrate on the issue. The Good Old Boys Club, and the get mine faction.

I definitley agree that our government shafts veterans and their families, no arguement there, but this is a comparing a 1 in billion chance event, to someone making a conscious choice knowing the risks involved ...

Not a good comparison.

[Pops Racer]

I forgot what we were talking about!! :P

[flyfishing3]

undecided voters.