More Veterans to be Left Behind in Bush Budget

By: Ed McNamee

 While trying very hard to understand the direction this country is taking it blows my mind when I realize how little the people mean to this Administration.  I do believe there are some in this government that do care about you and me but they are in the minority at this time, or so it would seem.  

A few days ago, Senator Patty Murray, Democrat from Washington State stated in her newsletter of March 11, 2005; “Unfortunately, my amendment was rejected by the Republican majority on the committee. So, not only did the President’s budget fail to provide any money to care for veterans, but the Senate Budget Committee rejected a responsible way to pay for our veterans’ health care."  

She was referring to the proposed budget that will affect each and every Veteran today.  It seems a little absurd to me that at a time when this country needs its men and women in uniform so badly, that we would slap them in the face with a budget which barely meets the needs of the 90s pre war era.  Now that we actually have committed to a "war on terror," and preemptive strikes seemingly throughout the Middle East countries, that we would be more concerned with taking care of the Veterans we are making and have made.  I guess its low on this Administration's priorities.

   I am pretty sure that most Americans would agree that our Military Personnel are a valuable asset to this countries defense.  Why then would Mr. Bush so arrogantly stand up in a flight suit, that he obviously didn't belong in, on the deck of a carrier and lie outright to the US and it’s Military.  In any use of the words that he spoke he lied.

The war was far from over and Military was about to begin yet another quagmire.  Now when we need our Military the most Mr. Bush proposes to cut disability entitlements for some 120,000 troops from WWII to Present.  If you are drawing Social Security disability and drawing VA disability at the same time your pay will be cut to allow the difference from your VA disability.  OK, to make it simple you’re getting screwed out of the amount being paid by Social Security disability, which if I am not mistaken is being taken out of your check and constitutes an entitlement and not a gift.  

700-04--Mandatory Reduce Veterans' Disability Compensation to Account for Social Security Disability Insurance Payments  “However, opponents view this option as subjecting veterans' disability benefits to a form of means-testing (they are currently considered an entitlement) “  The fact that they mention that disability benefits are "currently" considered entitlements is a cause for warning bells.  

Is it this Administrations intent on taking away everything that would benefit the very people defending this country while giving more to the rich?  Too many people today are swallowing the Patriotism song while those that are being patriotic are being screwed.  It’s not that difficult to see that this Administration could care less for the welfare of its young or old alike as long as they can use and abuse our Military for their own personnel betterment.  Spreading Democracy is a blatant lie and excuse for this Administration to enhance corporate interest throughout the world.

    Along with this of course come several other back door slashes and proposals to the budget by this Administration, which in its entirety would shock anyone that has any interest in protecting the future of your kids as well as you grandparents.  If I had time and the energy right now, including the emotional stamina, I could go point by point on the proposals, that appear destined to be passed, and we would find that the Administration and the Rich give up nothing.  

The glue of this Nation, however, are asked to sacrifice their very meager livelihood and security to support the outrageous amounts of money being spent on an illegal war, while incurring horrendous deficits that will take years to even imagine let alone pay for.  At the rate we are going we should see this Countries people in a third world status soon if we last that long.

Ed McNamee is a disabled Vietnam veteran and an independent writer. He may be contacted at: edmc4u@somethingorother.com

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