Sadly, the military are the worst paid of government employees, while being in the highest risk jobs. To compare the death of soldier to that of a civilian employee is over simplistic, unless you are looking at it from a purely actuarial point of view.Quote:
Originally Posted by Wildtim
As a veteran and a former police officer, there is no comparison between the military and someone auditing your taxes or sitting on their rear-end on Capitol Hill, waiting for a lobbyist to tell them how to vote. Sure, there are military folks who never see any form of field duty or combat...but there is a risk of it happening. I cannot recall the last time the IRS or Dept. of Agriculture sent staff into combat (don't mess with them...their auditors!).
Many military families have to have their incomes supplemented with food stamps to survive...and that is with free medical, commissary, and PX. Don't get excited about military health care...it can be hit or miss. I broke my collarbone - my orthopedic surgeon was th team doctor for the Red Sox who was doing his annual reserve active service...in the same hospital was a green card doctor from a third world country who could barely speak English and tried to insist I, in fact, should have never been admitted to the hospital...all he was supposed to do was refill a Motrin prescription.
Benefits for the military cannot in anyway be compared to the benefits for civilian Federal employees...they are miles apart. Sadly, the way the US government treats its vets is shameful as well. There are no scholarships for the kids of vets funded by the government, not even if the vet is killed. The only benefit is if the vet wins the Medal of Honor, the kid can get a slot at one of the military academies.
Many private charities support the vets and their kids with scholarships, grants, etc.: Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Freemasons, Knights of Columbus, Lions, etc. They step in because their is a need. Not so with civilian government employees.
I hope RL can garner as much money as possible to help the military families, even if it is a publicity stunt.
I find it interesting that many of those who make a show of supporting the military did everything they could to avoid wearing the uniform.....
:hmmm:
Greg (U.S. Army 1981-1993, Baltimore Police Department, 1995-1998)
