Under Military/Government and Politics, the same question is asked...Please answer either here or over there...the question is being asked in light of corruption, fraud, ineptness and callousness being shown to members of our Armed Forces who have served this nation. \n\nIn the Northport, New York Veterans Administration, veterans are complaining about the way the veterans hospital-site is being run. The Northport Veterans Administration is not being utilized for the sole benefit of veterans, but, for political candidates, non-related veterans matters, social and economical study groups, etc...Should this practice, of allowing fund raisers and groups to accupy time and space on the veterans hospital-site, without benefitting the veterans, be condoned/accepted.?...
208812
The truth is that the verterans hospital system has been screwed up since regan and probably not get better any time soon
603146
No, it isn't. However, the world is better off without Saddam and should be forking in to help out. \n\nBTW: Reps aren't DENYING or CUTTING VA benies, they simply aren't INCREASING the budget. While I don't agree with this and think that all vets should have TOP-QUALITY (better than congress, imo) care and retirement, it is not right to blame ONLY one side for this. If the libs weren't pushing so many social programs, more money would be free for the vets. Think about THAT next time you complain there isn't enough funding. The money has to come from somewhere.
597237
Troops aren't in the military to get benefits, & vetrans shouldn't be stealing for the reconstruction money over an offense by the previous & now defunct government. There are frozen assets in the US & Europe that could be attached, but the US govt should provide for these men's disablity. I'm for a vastly different & better VA program, but that's always been down the list of priorities for both parties. Troops support the President because he's taking on a confrontational foreign policy that they agree with. \n\nAs for the poor:\n\nDemocrats believe in conspiracy darwinism... That is that poor people are poor because the man is holding them down (from education, jobs, etc). Hence as victims they need govt intervention to save them from theri oppressors. To solve this they do just as they tend with any other problem, they throw money at it. \n\nRepublicans tend to believe in something similar to social darwinism. That is that the world being a natural free-market, those that are capable (smart, dedicated, hard working, innovative, etc) tend to get rich, while those that are not capable (uneducated, lazy, not socially motivated, etc) tend to get poor. Of course everyone starts at different levels. Those that start rich (spoiled bastard tho they are) are living the rewards of hard work in past generations, and good for them. Everyone else can't climb the whole ladder at once. Your job in life is to work hard as you can so you can EARN your children a better oportunity than you had (ask illegal immigrants what they're doing). The role of govt is only to make sure everyone has access to the minimum level of opportunity necessary to gain the average level income. It is good for us to be charitable with the poor, but this should be structured in such a way as to help them find the opportunities to succeed on their own. As in welfare should only last 18-24 months & include mandatory job training & placement, family counseling, etc with free child care while that's taking place. And, we should double the number of fraud investigators on the program.\n\nPS, Bush raised the number significantly below which you own zero taxes. Head start was used to manipulate children from their parents' views, it would have died because of this, but Reagan saved it by putting it back on a strictly educational path & tripled its funding. Both Bushs have increased funding also. This Pres Bush passed significant tax cuts that were went back to people according to what they paid in. That means if you are paying 15% you don't really do much to help the govt & you aren't going to get much back. That's fair, versus democrats who strictly want to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor without regard to earning it (again because they think they're victims of the corporate bugoise - very Karl Marx of them).
321888
By HOPE YEN, Associated Press Writer 5 minutes ago \nWASHINGTON - \nPersonal data, including\nSocial Security numbers of 26.5 million U.S. veterans was stolen from a Veterans Affairs employee this month after he took the information home without authorization, the department said Monday. \nLast year, more than 260,000 veterans could not sign up for services because of cost-cutting. Audits also have shown the agency used misleading accounting methods and lacked documentation to prove its claimed savings."\n\nWell, this administration appears to have issues without having anything stolen.\n\nThose in the service 1975 and after are many military who were in quite a few skirmishes that the government had, including those in Iraq.\n\nI hope they have hard copies somewhere, which they probably don't. Proving a negative is going to be hard for a lot of men who are eligible for benefits. How do you get benefits if you can't prove you are eligible for them? It will be up to the serviceman to prove, Hate to be them.\n\n26.5 MILLION RECORDS from 1975 to present
500726
Most intelligent people read Kennedy's investigative report on autisim and thimerosal.  As a parent, I paid attention.  While it is good to know what and how the USG is bilking and raping its citizens, we are getting too entrenched in the details.  Just like the Democraps, Repukelicans will take advantage as much as possible, especially when they sense the "tide is turning".  With the onslaught of their scandals amongst other reasons, the Repukelicans sensed their time was numbered, so they made the "hail mary" play and put as much "pork" into all bills as they could.  To pretend there is a difference between the two corrupted parties is bad enough.....to question why their greed and corruption has become so rampant, is to ignore the face looking at you in the mirror.  We allowed these scumbags to place their interests over those of America.  May your chosen diety have mecy on us all.  A response to the guy who won't sue in case of medical mistake:  while I wouldn't sue if my cast itched too much, I'd sue if they set the bone wrong, or put the cast on the wrong arm....The rights and welfare of the many does not outweigh the rights and welfare of the few....for securing individual rights inevitably secure the rights of society.
56617
Thats a stupid question to ask. Sory to be so blunt but look at it logicaly do you think anyone from the US Armed Forces is gonna say what were doing to anyone but the President of the U.S and the troops overseas? They don't want to be thrown in the brigs. I agree with everyone else this is the type of question to ask the gov't not Yahoo users and I know either way you will not get an answer.
390740
It is a day of HONOR, to our Veterans. I received many thank yous from friends and family, and it was very appreciated. A gift shouldn't be necessesary. For myself and most vets I know just knowing people remember and respect what we have done is more than enough. If someone wanted to spend money, I would tell them to donate time instead, and place flags on the graves of fallen Soldiers on Veterans day.
649990
For wrf3k who answered this question by saying that factoring in the benefits the military receives, they don't have it that bad. You are sadly mistaken on that. First, the US Military deserves a lot more money then they get considering how dangerous their job is. And yes, we do get the majority of our health care free, but that is about the only really good benefit we have. And even medical, though it's not nearly what a civilian would pay for insurance, they still take money out of our pay for it. Our dental insurance isn't very good at all. Though we military families are seen in military facilities for medical, we don't have that benefit for dental, which means we have to see a civilian dentist, unless we're living overseas, and the insurance doesn't pay a lot. (As a matter of fact, the dental insurance I had with my ex-husband was better then the insurance I have through the military.) And even being overseas, the active duty members needs are taken care of before their families are. We are stationed in Italy, and there are times we have to wait months for an appointment. People also seem to believe that shopping at the Commissary or Exchange on base gives us some big discount, and again, not true. When we were stationed in the States, we shopped at the grocery store off base because all in all it was cheaper then the Commissary. And I'm sorry, but there are military families out there who are on food-stamps, and that is so sad. We can live on base in military housing for free, but there is a waiting list, and I have seen people wait up to two years to finally get in, only to get new orders to go to their next duty station! And when you do get in housing, they take your housing allowance away from you, which wasn't even enough to pay for your rent, lights and everything else you need while living off base. I will say that we do make more living overseas then we do when were stationed in the States, but it's still not a lot! Our military deserves better pay!!!
311169
Yes I agree...Veterans system is in bad shape today, there is a lot of work to be done with that system.  I do not like to hear when my fellow troops come home and have to shell out money to pay for medical bills for injuries they received while serving.  It is like saying thanks for what you done but now you deal with the consequences.  I hope the government get the picture and help out our vets who have done so much for all of us...protect freedom
450252
An interesting bit of legislation... the KEY is though : "Rangel said his legislation on the draft would also offer the alternative of a couple of years of public service with educational benefits."\n\nThat sounds an awful lot like selective "deferments"... who will be ELIGIBLE for this "alternative public service" ?\n\nAlternative Public Service sounds to me like a cute new form of welfare !!\n\nPersonally, unless we get involved in a MAJOR land war (watch Mexico, Cuba, and Venzuala) I don't see any reason or logic for a draft... volunteers are better motivated, disciplined, and less trouble.\n\nServed 15 yrs and now too old for draft OR volunteer service.
397254
I agree with you completely.  My brother is in the Army and he has been to Iraq and Afghanistan if anything ever happened to him I think that my family would find it an honor to have the American flag draped over his casket for all to see.  People that say its politically motivated are just ignorant.
464171
Honestly, when discussing the war with liberal friends, they honestly believe that soldiers are stupid, misinformed or dirt poor. They don't come out and say it like that, but its obvious they struggle with the fact that people enlist for a lot of reasons including sense of duty and calling. I don't know if it will hurt them or not but I think it shows Kerry's and other Democrats true colors.
603330
Where do you get this crap? Do you sit home dreaming this s**t up all day?  I've been an RN for 26 years/worked across the US-hospitals do not function in this capacity!  Although the "illegal" population are draining our medical system, they are not the only ones-many "legal" residents and citizens cannot afford to pay their bills either.  Hospitals are underwritten by federal and state programs to assist them in meeting their costs,as well as private donations and religious organizations. Our hospitals are struggling because more and more of our working class can no longer afford their insurance coverage and employers are not matching health care contributions as they used to (more out of our paychecks). The poor qualify for various programs and the rich well...it's never been an issue. But... the working class, that's the problem. You can't ask the courts to address a federal/state level issue accross the board-they're a little busy addressing criminal issues. We need to revise our healthcare coverage issues with our elected officials-"illegals" need to be reported on entry into the hospitals-sent back to their own countries for healthcare, and we need to take care of own in a much more responsible way than placing "liens" on their property and or any potential "judgements" they may be legally entitled to them!!
152573
From my experience, the difference is that the military is becoming increasingly run by inexperienced political appointees, unqualified civilian employees who cant be fired and unscrupulous contractors. Political appointees with political agendas and no military experience  in particular have been given full reign over many functions that were in the past held open only for actual military people with actual military training. Decisions are made for the wrong reasons by the wrong people - that is the easy answer. The more complex answer which I believe is the more accurate is that other government agencies have been "let in" to impose all sorts of regulations on a structure that should operate essentially independently. Allowing other agencies and contractors such as Department of Interior and GSA to run operations at military bases and installations OFTEN conflicts with military culture and the very basic ideas that are instilled into each service person. They watch as the civilians are allowed to file all sorts of complaints for sexual harassment and mistreatment while they have to keep thier mouths shut or face the reprecussions from fellow soldiers - one slight wrong move and a military career is ended while the civilians can get away with just about anything and never be fired just promoted. They watch as the civilians are paid ten times the pay and do 1/10th the work. They are not allowed to be "real" people but are forced to work with them and take direction from them. I think it is frustration that has caused this situation and fear of opening your mouth because you may be deemed insuborninate. The military wants the best and brightest but then does not allow them to be so - the best paid most complicated positions are given to contractors and unless you really manage to get into a specialty that has a market out of the military (there are not a lot of civilian jobs for infantry) you have no marketable skills - NADA - when you get out.\nAll that said, I wish I had done the three or four years it would have taken to get the benefits that come along with the job - the question is: would it have been worth it to sit and be quiet for that time to get a cheap mortgage while risking being court martialed for speaking my mind?\n\nI just have to add to this due to being called a "dumbass" below by an enlisted Navy person. This I have worked with the military for over 2O years on the consultant side - I have worked directly with DOD HQ, Army, Marines, AF, and Navy. I can say I have far more insight into the inner workings of the Pentagon than most people do and particularly FAR MORE than the front line people such as the name-caller. Most of my work has been at the SEC DEF level but have also worked many years directly with installations all over the country. I have outed many unsrupulous contractors that were defrauding the government and watched retiring LTCs beg for jobs upon retirement that they are never qualified for as there is always a more qualified contractor out there. I have watched as political decisions have made people so mad that they did nto re-enlist SO -I can say without calling you names, that you do not have the insight that I do. My observation comes from a slightly different view than yours - you somehow believed that I was some disgrunteled service person - what a laugh! I am on the other end of the stick. You also misread what I am saying - ready - shoot - aim! Given your job - you do not really have a comprehension of what I am speaking of as you are too low in rank and position to feel or see this pinch yet -not a slam FYI - it is just that you do not see this level of interchange yet - it comes far above your rank and skill type. Military is now run by PC politics - politics  creates problems when it trys to run the military by non-military standards with the intervention of other branches of government. If you want to pursue a career you need to read first and digest -
517264
This sort of thing is unconscionable.\nI certainly hope they get this one straitened out.  \nIt's a shame that it takes a major news network to bring this sort of injustice to our own governments attention.  This sort of thing has happened before and still happens all too often.  Our boys need more and better advocates to represent them in such cases.  Past and present wars are a testament to the horrible ways in which we have treated our returning men in uniform.  Vietnam Veterans suffer to this day........Why do we not take better care of our own?  This does not foster patriotism.\nMaybe we need another section in the newspapers, highlighting these very unsettling atrocities.  We could purchase subscriptions for key politicians and plenty for the Pentagon.  Of course it would be a waste of time to get one for the president, because he pays no attention to the news.  \nAs newspapers are not selling very well these days, we should pitch this idea to them.  If the papers would print it they could could sell it, and provide a very much needed service. After all, freedom of speech is one of the many important freedoms our brave men in uniform fight for, lets not waste it.\nThanks for posting this, more people need to become enlightened about this type of government inaction.
208089
We can't, people use up the military and toss it.\nI know for a fact that America don't deserve it's military AT ALL.\n\nAsk a Vet how long it took to get into the VA, or ask me.\n\nI love my Country but it craps on it's military when not needed.\n\nIf Ihad it my way you had to choose \n\n1. Tec school out of HS\n\n2. Military out of HS\n\nYou need to earn to be an American, no batter way then putting ones life down for ones country!!\n\nLong Live The Fighters!\n\nI hate people who think they know more then the Goverment knows, the war would have happened anyhow, they had allready shot at our aircraft before the war!!\nDo you think that they would have just sat by and did nothing, don't you think if the french sent arms in that they would have funded anything that would hurt us.\n\nget a clue, the world is a lifeboat and people want to see us off it!\n\nI'm sure most of you would never go back too a VA if been in one, it's smells like pee in the morning and people are left too rot in long lines for simple meds.\n\nThe staff comes from other places to train and test skills on you before they goto a place that they can be sued.\n\nVets can't sue doctors at the VA, if they mess up on you it's just what happens.\n\nThe first line of defense is the Military, in the past the military has done nothing less then save the world, and they are treated at or below fee clinic.\n\nThank a vet, buy a book and take it too a VA.\n\nSend a card.\n\nIf you see a Soldier , thank them.\n\nMost soldiers make less then 50. and hour, they don't do it for the money, they do it for our country.
50814
They are producing children for the next draft.As a veteran I think a mandatory service obligation in everyones future or past would give their opinions a little more creedance instead of analyzing a game they will never play in.