Lots of good articles coming out on this subject. Here is one of them:
http://www.jqpublic-blog.com/?p=616
http://www.jqpublic-blog.com/?p=616
The Congressional Reduction of Military Pensions and Everything Thread
- Thread starter Marauder06
- Start date
I am (not) surprised at the number of (non-retired) Veterans who have told me to quit whining. What I said in my e-mails to Elected Representatives is that the COLA does not include food costs, so it is artificially low. Include fod and medical costs in COLA and I am willing to go along with the cuts. I'd also like to see pensions of disabled and lon-time retirees moved from the DoD to DHHS (along with all other Federal Retirements). This paragraph also summed up how easy Retirees have it when they re-enter the civilian market (though I disagree with the last sentence):
The shorthand employed by Ryan to sell his beloved pension cut envisions healthy, well-adjusted, fattened mercenaries stepping into corporate America to collect millions during the balance of their working years. How he arrived at this vision boggles the imagination; most retirees struggle to integrate into a new workplace with skills that don’t directly translate while trying to keep pace with competitors roughly half their age. 73% of retirees are noncommissioned officers whose pensions are barely sufficient to keep them above the poverty line. As a rule of thumb, these people are figures of sympathy rather than valid targets of the socialistic “they don’t need it anyway” notion behind Ryan’s sales pitch.
The shorthand employed by Ryan to sell his beloved pension cut envisions healthy, well-adjusted, fattened mercenaries stepping into corporate America to collect millions during the balance of their working years. How he arrived at this vision boggles the imagination; most retirees struggle to integrate into a new workplace with skills that don’t directly translate while trying to keep pace with competitors roughly half their age. 73% of retirees are noncommissioned officers whose pensions are barely sufficient to keep them above the poverty line. As a rule of thumb, these people are figures of sympathy rather than valid targets of the socialistic “they don’t need it anyway” notion behind Ryan’s sales pitch.
Brill
SOF Support
They should just ADD a 1% tax to contractors working OCONUS. That $80k exception after 330 days overseas is BS.
I'm not as worried about that, a lot of those guys take the same risks we do, risks most of America isn't willing to take.
I am glad that the military got rid of that ridiculous, "if you're there for one day, you get the whole month tax-free" bs, that was fraud, waste, and abuse waiting to happen.
I am glad that the military got rid of that ridiculous, "if you're there for one day, you get the whole month tax-free" bs, that was fraud, waste, and abuse waiting to happen.
Brill
SOF Support
And they get very well compensated for taking those risks but their salaries are negotiable.
If Ryan's argument is truly rooted in numbers, closing that annual $80k tax free "hole" is a start but that would be a tax increase.
Just an idea but what about a set retirement % for military with an increase in months spent in a combat zone? (I realize the current issue is about COLA but I'm speaking to Hagel's overall idea that retirement reform is REQUIRED due to future legacy costs.)
Hopefully, Sen Shaheen, Graham and others in the senate will turn this around. It's already got enough headway in the house to make it happen.
Ryan and the rest will get their's come election day. What's always pissed me off is whenever we've received a COLA, yeah, our pay goes up....mine on average of 40.00 month. Then, just like clockwork, something else comes along and negates it completely....ie: Tricare fees, co pays etc.
As for Hagel, he's in Obama's pocket and up his ass. Regardless of what reasons and values are placed before him arguing the merits of leaving our pensions alone, he'll just blow it off, like I did at my dinner table, with Brussels sprouts as a kid....
Ryan and the rest will get their's come election day. What's always pissed me off is whenever we've received a COLA, yeah, our pay goes up....mine on average of 40.00 month. Then, just like clockwork, something else comes along and negates it completely....ie: Tricare fees, co pays etc.
As for Hagel, he's in Obama's pocket and up his ass. Regardless of what reasons and values are placed before him arguing the merits of leaving our pensions alone, he'll just blow it off, like I did at my dinner table, with Brussels sprouts as a kid....
Last edited:
Brill
SOF Support
@Centermass , you do realize Brussels sprouts help to cleanse the liver? 
Several observations from different angles:
- I have to wonder if this will dissuade many from retiring. Not only those taking issue with the proposed cuts, but also those who know their 20+ years of sacrifice can be so readily nullified.
- How many will remember this betrayal during the next election cycle....and how many will STILL vote for these traitors (yes, that's kind of how I see it) because they aren't Party X or "they are better than the other guy" or whatever? Let's say none of this bears any fruit...who among you is willing to vote for a guy or gal who sponsored or supported this nonsense?
- Our country has budget problems? Not news. THIS as a solution? What's next? A tax on cancer patients? Of ALL of the possible means of generating additional revenue or cutting costs and this topic has traction? Smoking Jesus titty cinnamon, what has our country come to?
- What cuts to its benefits package are our lawmakers considering?
As we rightfully gnash our teeth over this (and I'm not a retiree), we need to look beyond the "simple" outrage of vets losing retirement pay.
- I have to wonder if this will dissuade many from retiring. Not only those taking issue with the proposed cuts, but also those who know their 20+ years of sacrifice can be so readily nullified.
- How many will remember this betrayal during the next election cycle....and how many will STILL vote for these traitors (yes, that's kind of how I see it) because they aren't Party X or "they are better than the other guy" or whatever? Let's say none of this bears any fruit...who among you is willing to vote for a guy or gal who sponsored or supported this nonsense?
- Our country has budget problems? Not news. THIS as a solution? What's next? A tax on cancer patients? Of ALL of the possible means of generating additional revenue or cutting costs and this topic has traction? Smoking Jesus titty cinnamon, what has our country come to?
- What cuts to its benefits package are our lawmakers considering?
As we rightfully gnash our teeth over this (and I'm not a retiree), we need to look beyond the "simple" outrage of vets losing retirement pay.
There's a guy on this site that was literally down the road from me at Bagram each of the four times I was sent to Afghanistan. I think he has spent something like six straight years there. Those rockets, mortars, and suicide bombers that attack the airbase didn't discriminate between .mil and .civ. The assholes that take potshots at the helo he rides in to the outstations don't care that there's a contractor on board. The civvies get a tax break on anything under $80K for taking care of the government's business in a combat zone, people like me, doing a similar job most likely doing it for similar reasons, get a break on anything over $0. So yeah, I'm OK with that.
I think we need to focus on getting our stuff fixed, not on taking something away from people who stand shoulder to shoulder with us overseas.
THIS. Already seeing this on many of the military FB pages I am on about Ryan. I.E. That people in his district are already commited to voting for him again, because he's better than a Democrat. Murray will not get my vote.
Reed
Brill
SOF Support
Hope this idea does gain traction:
http://host.madison.com/news/local/...cle_949f8840-32ab-5154-8490-9136102b876a.html
Lamar Smith voted for this, and in November I will not cast a ballot in the House of Reps race. I will vote all the other races. I am encouraging my local vets/retirees to do the same (blank on the HR race).
12,000 Retires leavig that part blank could eleiminate Lamar's usual victory margin, and keep the pundits from claiming the Dem was more popular.
- Joined
- Sep 28, 2009
- Messages
- 4,304
This is an insult to men and women who have served. I suggest Congress take a pay cut first.
Everything I once believed in and held in high regard, has been systematically attacked and torn apart piece by piece since Obama came into office. The whole system is fucked and corrupted to its very corp. They will rob retirees while giving out raises and deals to anyone who helps their little agendas along. I’ve pretty much come to the conclusion that anything promised or offered by the US Gov, should be viewed as outright lies.
I feel for the dudes that have 15+ years in as you are vested to the point of no turning back. For the guys with an enlistment or two, you better get use to an idea of a 401k type bullshit minimal retirement that will be probably bankrupted by the time you actually retire, if you ever get there.
This country has disgusted me beyond belief…
I feel for the dudes that have 15+ years in as you are vested to the point of no turning back. For the guys with an enlistment or two, you better get use to an idea of a 401k type bullshit minimal retirement that will be probably bankrupted by the time you actually retire, if you ever get there.
This country has disgusted me beyond belief…
RetPara
SOF Support
The only reason that Ryan could even hope to survive this is that his district, as a whole, has no vested interest in Veterans. Yet they are in the commuting range of Madison, which is one of the more liberal university towns on the map. If someone runs against him in the Primary, I'll send money to the campaign fund.
I saw this and laughed...that grim laugh you make when you don't know how to act when confronted by something stupefying.
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140113/BENEFITS05/301130026/
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140113/BENEFITS05/301130026/
Brill
SOF Support
You should see the GO and CSM housing on Ft Meade near the parade field. Very bourgeoisie to say the least.
Officer housing at Ft. benning is basically all mansions. CG's is palatial.
Wait the moron's who have been running the last few wars, developing the insanely high budget and running around getting their incompetent asses fired, are now offering advice on how to take more money away from the retirees, who are all making less than half of those morons who wear stars?
Yeah that's who we should be listening to.....FML!
Yeah that's who we should be listening to.....FML!
Similar threads
