Thread: I'm Not Sayin...I'm Just Sayin

OK, that tears it. After midnight tonight pay will cease for a whole bunch of brave young kids that are going to bed tonight in a country full of people that would prefer them dead. Contrary to what the political elite and the mainstream media would have you believe, I never saw a GI in 25 years in the business that had more money than they knew what to do with.

God knows I could write 25 pages on all the compelling philosophical and ethical reasons for my 25+ year career, and no, I don't regret a damn second of any of it (in fact I'd go back in a minute if they ever got so desperate they'd take doddering old codgers) but like anyone else, these kids have to make a living and they've got bills to pay. Any Commander in Chief that would stand idly by and watch this happen should be impeached for Deriliction of Duty. I'm off to write a letter to my Congressman.

You know that's part of the problem. The right wingers think they have the upper hand and the pres will cave to them and if he doesn't well all the essential Govt services will continue so big deal shut it down. If I were Obama I'd really shut it down totally. Shut down air traffic, borders closed, no Govt checks to anyone. The right wingers within hours will be crying to Obama.

From what I understand, and that isn't much, the armed forces is not included in the shut down. Maybe the tea party will succeed and undo the "new deal" and we can go back to the Darwinian society that preceded it. Glad I'm closer to the end of the game than the beginning.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

From what I understand, and that isn't much, the armed forces is not included in the shut down. Maybe the tea party will succeed and undo the "new deal" and we can go back to the Darwinian society that preceded it. Glad I'm closer to the end of the game than the beginning.

According to the DFAS website, yes and no. Yes the military will remain open for business and no, they will not get paid after midnight tonight. Unit a new CR or a budget has been signed. For your average GI this means that they get roughly half a paycheck on the 15th and as of now bupkiss on the 1st of the month. The message is clear. We really appreciate your service but as Commander in Chief, I don't figure you even rate a paycheck. Wow! and I thought Bubba Clinton was a doucher.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

Any Commander in Chief that would stand idly by and watch this happen should be impeached for Deriliction of Duty.

Originally Posted by 1OldGI

We really appreciate your service but as Commander in Chief, I don't figure you even rate a paycheck. Wow! and I thought Bubba Clinton was a doucher.

You've got to explain to me how is this his fault? Isn't it the job of the congress to give him the money? What happened with the mandate that the american voters gave on the last elections to make the government smaller? Here's small government.

From what I understand the issue is that we're broke, so we'll borrow 1 500 billion dollars and will under no circumstance borrow 10 billion extra, because those 10 billion pay for things our political half doesn't like, so let's punish everybody until the other political half learns their lesson and cries 'uncle'.

What if all those GIs come back and find good paying jobs in the home country. If national security is the problem, may be tasking them with effectively protecting the borders, as well as dealing with the existing internal threads would be something that would cost less and pose less risk than running several wars abroad?

Both parties are tax and spend elitists and this is just another dog and pony show. They dont care what happens or who gets hurt, its all about the perks and status on capital hill. The more I look at these people, the more I think someone should hit the "reset" button and start over from scratch. Sometimes I wished I were as old as Jimmy!

I would bet that if the Senate would go without pay everyone playing politics might get some real budget reforms. We have returned to an oligarchy just like France before it's historical revolution. The government is the budget problem and right left who cares. Why wait to the 11the hour to play these games and with of all people our soldiers.They could have easily accomidated for them to, that is the sad part.
It is hard to believe that we have got to this point and they can't even balance their budget. If any of us ran our households or buisnesses like these guys run DC we would be on the street and more likely in jail. One set of rules for the Senate and the rest of us schmucks buy into taking sides thinking that our party is going to make miracles. KISS, pay as you go. Stop play with people's lives to win political points and start loving the greatest country on earth you were sent to serve.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

The more I look at these people, the more I think someone should hit the "reset" button and start over from scratch.

At the 2% death rate of the civil war that'll mean 6 million dead americans. And these days the killing's way more efficient, although may be it's threshold based and once the 2% level is reached it's over. I'm not sure americans are willing to pay that cost yet.

Originally Posted by Kingfish

I would bet that if the Senate would go without pay everyone playing politics might get some real budget reforms.

Last year the NY state failed to pass a budget even though the senators had to go without pay. The thing is that those with the actual power couldn't care less for their government pay - they get enough money from other sources. All I'm saying is that KISS doesn't work the way one my imagine. Here's a quote I quite like:

For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple, and wrong.
--H. L. Mencken

Originally Posted by gugi

You've got to explain to me how is this his fault? Isn't it the job of the congress to give him the money?

Yes, the President only proposes (and signs once passed) the budget.


Unfortunately, this is (and has been for some time now) a huge problem: both sides seem to derive pleasure from pitting everyone against everyone else. It doesn't matter what the issue is, who is truly at fault or what really needs to be done to fix it. The greater majority of people in this country don't bother to check facts or figures - they just listen to "their" party and believe. You think President Obama put this country in the state it is in the last 24 months? Really? I find that conclusion to be absolutely amazing considering all the antics that occurred in the 8 years prior to his being sworn in.

If you want real change, get them all out of office, each and every one! Then get new faces and new rules starting with term limits. These positions in Congress should be used to serve your country, not to gain power and money.

End rant.

To 1OldGI: I agree that it is horrible what will happen to the men and women overseas in harms way. They should be guaranteed a paycheck, amongst other things. And thank-you for your service to this country!

I just got done reading "Founding Brothers" by Joseph Ellis and "John Adams" by David McCullough. If it proved nothing else to me it proved that the problem is, to quote Hamlet, "ourselves." The partisan rancor during the early years of our government was no different than now. The backbiting and backstabbing was going on then too. The jockeying for position to further one or the other parties political agenda and future at the expense of the people was no different than it is today. I suppose it goes back to Cain and Abel, the first example of brotherly love.