Thread: The Cost of War

Originally Posted by ScoutHikerDad

If the politicians (presidents, congressmen, the Pentagon, and the vast military-industrial complex they represent) were required to commit their own children and relatives to war first, we'd have a lot fewer foreign entanglements, I guarantee you. Think what this country could accomplish domestically with all that money!

Bring back the draft with no deferments!

You will see congress and especially the republicans screaming for the VA to be turned on its head over the current waiting list issue. Yet they are the same ones that constantly underfund the VA claiming it costs too much. So here we are cranking out combat vets and putting them into a healthcare system that is bursting at the seams and underfunded, then bitching to hell and gone when it starts failing! Idiocy.

I will admit I have had some frustrations with my local VA admin in the past but always have been treated well and received good care. I would encourage any vet here to get signed up and stay current, whether you feel that you currently need it or not. The system is not as "friendly" as in the past, major changes were made in 2003 and losing benefits is a possibility now.

Originally Posted by BobH

Glen

Hope you can get that all sorted out quickly. That is just not right.

Bob

A search sorted it out rather quickly,,,

Pops was never connected to the VA, he was never wounded nor disabled from Military Service therefore besides 3 wars, Multiple Combat medals, and 30 years of service to his country... She gets nothing..

Of course her "Service" of going to multiple bases across the world, packing up the family, settling the family every 3 years, making due with two children while he was off "Playing War" that all counts for nothing too


ps; I wouldn't trade my childhood as a Military Brat for anything, some of my best memories..

Originally Posted by gssixgun

A search sorted it out rather quickly,,,

Pops was never connected to the VA, he was never wounded nor disabled from Military Service therefore besides 3 wars, Multiple Combat medals, and 30 years of service to his country... She gets nothing..

Of course her "Service" of going to multiple bases across the world, packing up the family, settling the family every 3 years, making due with two children while he was off "Playing War" that all counts for nothing too


ps; I wouldn't trade my childhood as a Military Brat for anything, some of my best memories..

Sorry to hear Glen,Sadley your mother probebly did get One very meager benifit.Your dads military death benifit of around $150.00

Originally Posted by gssixgun

A search sorted it out rather quickly,,,

Pops was never connected to the VA, he was never wounded nor disabled from Military Service therefore besides 3 wars, Multiple Combat medals, and 30 years of service to his country... She gets nothing..

Of course her "Service" of going to multiple bases across the world, packing up the family, settling the family every 3 years, making due with two children while he was off "Playing War" that all counts for nothing too


ps; I wouldn't trade my childhood as a Military Brat for anything, some of my best memories..

That's weird! Your mom gets a pension from him though no??

Originally Posted by earcutter

That's weird! Your mom gets a pension from him though no??

No NOTHING at all from the Military,,, That is what I was pointing out, the article is a bit mis-leading, it implies that, but I double checked once he passed away she was cut loose same as many others...

Read the article closer

Also look at the SBP's you will see it is much that same as any other life insurance policy, unless a service member pays into it the surviving spouse gets nothing

Glen

Sorry to hear that. I don't know the US system but had assumed that a military pension had survivor benefits clauses. I know, never assume anything. I still don't think that is right as it stands.

Bob

Normally, in order to get a Pension,one has to be retired from the military after 20 + yrs service

Financially speaking the best way to cut costs is to stop waring. No one in their right mind thinks cutting benefits for those that served, keeping promises that were made to those who volunteered or were dragged into service is the best way to cut spending. I am now pointing a finger at those in charge. We have lost control of the government and so we get what we deserve. Doing what's right is not what will get you elected and THAT is the reason we even have discussions like this. It amazes is me that we all have ideas about what should be done to take care of the symptoms but never look at how to solve the problem at it's core. We all allow this credit card with no limits to be used by those who don't give a hoot who pays the bill. Discussing how the card is used after the expenditures have been made is ridiculous. Yeah we need a war. But not against other countries. Not a war that will produce casualties we will have to care for the rest of their lives. Not a war over resources or profits. We need a war that puts common sense back in our spending. If multinational corporations and banks want to control a certain part of the world, let them pay for it. Not many would stand for these conflicts if they understood the real reason we get into them in the first place. Rant over. God help us.

Originally Posted by gssixgun

No NOTHING at all from the Military,,, That is what I was pointing out, the article is a bit mis-leading, it implies that, but I double checked once he passed away she was cut loose same as many others...

Read the article closer

Also look at the SBP's you will see it is much that same as any other life insurance policy, unless a service member pays into it the surviving spouse gets nothing

Glen - as soon as I read your post I got on the phone with a lawyer friend who actually works VA disability claims for veterans because something about what you are saying rings sour to me... It did to him as well.

There could be a host of reasons why - like mom taking a buy out or whatever... But the fact is laws change and as unusual as what you are stating today... may not have been unusual in the day. Who knows. But it is unusual.

The first place I would go of course is the Veterans Admin Office out in CO and see what they say. After that, short of a good reason, let me know. I might be able to point you in the right direction in CO as many of my wife's grads end up there!

Originally Posted by earcutter

Glen - as soon as I read your post I got on the phone with a lawyer friend who actually works VA disability claims for veterans because something about what you are saying rings sour to me... It did to him as well.

There could be a host of reasons why - like mom taking a buy out or whatever... But the fact is laws change and as unusual as what you are stating today... may not have been unusual in the day. Who knows. But it is unusual.

The first place I would go of course is the Veterans Admin Office out in CO and see what they say. After that, short of a good reason, let me know. I might be able to point you in the right direction in CO as many of my wife's grads end up there!

Sorry... I didn't read the part where you said you double checked. Arg!

Man that's just wrong!