Why has Bush proposed cutting Veterans benefits?
829963
Republicans have always wanted to cut veterans benefits, and to cut social security benefits for our war veterans, our war handicapped, and the families of our war dead. It is simply too expensive.
280100
Just to list a few reasons:\n-Illegal syping tactics\n-Breaking the Constitution\n-Lying\n-Appeal to radical right-winged conservatives\n-Religious fundamentalism\n-FEMA scandal\n-Supreme court nomination (harriet myers)\n-War for Oil (excuse me War in Iraq...)\n-War in Afgahanstan\n-Patriot Act\n-Budget deficit\n-Measure 36\n-Halliburton scandal\n-Buying the elecion (2000)\n-Lack of intelligence\n-Being a pawn to vice president Dick Cheney\n-Being a dictator\n-Health care refoms\n-Budget cuts for billionaires\nAnd the list goes on and on...
446844
* Deficit Reduction: Republicans have run up historic budget deficits and refused to put us back on a course of budget discipline.  Last year, the deficit reached $319 billion, higher than in any year before President Bush took office;\n\n    * Overtime Protections: Republicans have failed to support a measure to prohibit the Bush Administration from taking overtime pay away from an estimated six million workers.  During the Bush Administration, wages have stagnated or declined, even as the cost of health care, child care, and other essential expenses has continued to climb.  The Bush overtime regulations will mean millions in lost wages at a time when workers can least afford it;\n    * Minimum Wage Increase: For the eighth year in a row, Republicans have failed to raise the minimum wage.  Minimum wage employees working 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, earn $10,700 a year, $5,000 below the poverty line for a family of three.  The current minimum wage fails to provide enough income to enable minimum wage workers to afford adequate housing in any area of the country; and\n    * Tax Credits For Employers of Reservists: Republicans have failed to provide adequate support to employers hard hit by the activation of military reservists to serve in Iraq.  For the second year in a row, Congressional Republicans blocked a bill that would have rewarded businesses that continue to pay salaries to their employees serving oversees.  This provision would provide a tax credit to employers continuing to pay activated National Guard and Reserve employees and provide an additional tax credit to small businesses to help them cover the cost of temporarily replacing an employee who has been activated.\n\nHealth Care\n\n    * Health Care Costs: Republicans have failed to pass legislation to hold down the unprecedented increases in health care premiums for American families.  Employer-sponsored health insurance increased by 9.2 percent in 2005 – more than three times the growth in wages and more than twice the rate of overall inflation.  Premiums for family health coverage are now $10,880, up from $6,348 in 2000.  These premium hikes are straining family finances, forcing businesses to drop coverage, and driving up the number of uninsured Americans;\n    * Covering the Uninsured: Republicans have failed to enact legislation to reduce the growing number of uninsured Americans, which now stands at 45.8 million.  The number of uninsured Americans has increased by 6 million since 2000.  People without health insurance have less access to health care, are in poorer health, and are at greater risk of premature death;\n    * Stem Cell Research: The Republican leadership has failed to bring to the floor a stand-alone bill to expand federal support for embryonic stem cell research.  Current funding restrictions, imposed by President Bush, are impeding promising research by preventing the use of federal funds on the best available stem cell lines;\n    * Prescription Drug Importation: Republicans have failed to enact drug importation legislation, which would give American consumers access to lower-priced drugs from abroad.  The price of commonly prescribed brand name drugs has been increasing in the United States by more than twice the rate of inflation, creating a barrier to accessing needed medications;\n    * Medicare Drug Coverage: Republicans failed to support Democratic efforts to address anticipated problems implementing the new Medicare drug benefit, such as transitioning some beneficiaries’ drug coverage from Medicaid to Medicare.  Also, Republican leaders continue to oppose legislation that would allow Medicare to use its purchasing power to lower drug prices;\n    * Medicare Premium Increases: Republicans have not responded to recent increases in Medicare Part B premiums.  Monthly Part B premiums have almost doubled since 2000 – from $45.50 in 2000 to $88.50 in 2006;\n    * Mental Health Parity: Republicans have failed to pass bipartisan leg
840900
I suppose so. President Bush joined the Texas National Air Guard in order to escape being drafted to Vietnam. He likes war, but is afraid of it, and has no idea how to manage it as president.
662215
At some time maybe. \n\nThe Vietnam and World War II Vets had to pay for their own, so Iraqi vets better start saving.\n\nI don't blame the Vets for Bush's war. I hope no one else does uither, though I would hope they would stop murdering people. Dear Marines, our image is bad enough, we don't need anymore military to go around killing 3 year old kids.
474551
Representatives passed and President Bush praised (and vowed to sign) a budget package that will reduce Medicaid spending by $4.7 billion over five years, largely through increased co-payments and premiums and reduced benefits. A report this week from Georgetown's Health Policy Institute found that the Medicaid provisions in the budget would (1) undo the guarantee that children in Medicaid will be provided medically necessary services, (2) permit states to charge families substantial new costs that many would not be able to afford, and (3) require states to impose new and unnecessary paperwork on eligible children.So, if you have very high prescription drug needs, then you will pay $3,600 a year, plus 5% more on the drugs after that, plus your premiums, which will be over $600. So it will be over $4,200 for prescription drugs only, if you have coverage and use many drugs.\n\nAdd that amount to the other premiums and co-pays of regular Medicare and it will take most of the Social Security check. Some estimate $200,000 for medical costs after retirement each and for a couple, I suppose, that could be double. Unless a couple get a discount. Most elderly Americans are proud, hardworking people and they shouldn't have to be put into poverty to pay their medical bills.  The drug companies get a lot of their research done at colleges and it is paid for with taxpayer money. The elderly should get a better deal. We should all get a better deal.
879674
The point is not what he "meant" or said he meant.  Kerry's just another liberal moron with no ideas on how to solve the problems facing the country, so he compensates by bad-mouthing those who are actually working on the problems.\n\nThe point, in fact, is what he said, and whether he meant it or not, Kerry was articulating latent feelings against the military he's obviously held since he left the military over 30 years ago.  He would actually be pathetic if he weren't a veteran--albeit one with a questionable service record.  As it is, I find it depressing that 48 percent of the people actually voted for him.
1112808
All vets should be treated fairly and equally. Sufficient funding should be a high priority to help all vets, not just Viet Nam vets. \n\nI tried to put on a play at the Veterans Administration site in Northport, New York and have the gross receipts of my company, NEW FIVE STAR MILLENNIUM ENTERTAINMENT, INC., go to helping the active members of the military and returning vets. I was told "NO".\n\nAnd, the reasons given to me were a smokescreen to allow the auditorium to be used for non-military political fund raising for candidates seeking public office.\n\nVeterans were pushed aside for the benefit of politics and politicians. The Northport, New York Veterans Administration is a joke.
846971
They will reverse the tax cuts of the top 1% wealthiest Americans. Then they will lower cost of living of the middle class and poor by reducing the cost of medicare, healthcare, lowering inflation, and improving social security. Then they also want to gradually reduce troops.
157188
No.\n\nBush led our country into a war that is and was totally unnecessary.  His original WMD argument for war has been disproved and it seems that each time he speaks his reason for the war changes.  The bottom line is that over 2,200 American military and over 25,000 Iraqi civillians are dead  and the question remains, Why?...\n\nHis medicare drug program is proving itself to be a disaster for seniors but great for insurance companies.  He then wants to privatize Social Security which will only benefit his friends on Wall Street, certainly not the retirees.\n\nMore and more Americans are losing health care benefits. His answer: Health Savings Accounts.  The trouble with these are that the people who need health care benefits the most are living paycheck to paycheck and can't afford to contribute to these accounts.  They also can't afford the out-of-pocket of up to $5,000 that has to be paid to health care providers before the insurance that's associated with these things even begins to start paying.  The winners again: his friends in the insurance industry.  This is from personal experience, I'm stuck with one of these.\n\nHis "Domestic Spying Program" has directed the NSA to wiretap American citizens without warrants.  Not to say we shouldn't wiretap terrorists, we have to.  A warrant to conduct these wiretaps is easy to get and can even be obtained up to three days after the fact.  So why won't he do it "By the Book"? It almost seems he is intentionally trying to show us that he feels he's above the law. \n\nThis attempt to greatly expand Presidential power in the name of the "War on Terror" is especially frightening since it affects the Executive / Legislative / Judicial balance of goverment as defined in our Constitution.\n\nUnfortunately, Mr. Bush seems to think that stubborness is a virtue and, despite the ill effects his policies have had on our country, insists on "Staying the course".  I just hope we'll someday be able to repair the damage this "Course" is causing.
484789
we need to limit spending to bare minimums askall federal employees in these tough times totake a temporary pay cut till we balance the budget and get things under control .--like they do with airlines and auto manufactureres union members take pay cut in order that the company can make it thru hard times all federal and state employees should have to give back a little in tuff times .after all its the working man who pays the taxes and dont give me that crap about big co.paying taxes they just collect it from working people in inflated prises. its time 1/3 of this country ease up a bit on what there getting i doubt many government workers are without health care our retirement 20 yrs and 80% retirement then go work for a government contractor. still on the government payroll and good pay and more retirement.the backs of the workers in america cant afford this much longer.--so i suggest some pay cuts and reduced benifits the government is not the place to work and get rich its a place to serve.its a start local taxes pay for all services localy. no federal matching funds or grants to cover bad government by local communittys federal highways only and military  all other programs paid with income tax ended make it optional to pay additional taxes for nasa or cancer research all the places tax dollars go  we need to cut government to the bone.most congressmen are rich no salaries for life or benifits   in and out with a check like  a painter or carpenter would do   --when the job is over so is the money find more work .as some one who works for a living i am ticked off at the benifits we have to pay to people in pulic service lets put service back in it and take the self service out of it .
567613
He is the worst president in the business of running a country that I have ever seen, I am 60 and go back to the Eisenhower era. I do remember Ike. He did a lot of good. The reasons that I do not like the way that Bush is running the country is his supply side economics. It has never worked, to give the top 1% of the people the tax cuts is just plain wrong. When you have a pile of boxes and you want to move them you lift from the bottom, not the top. If you lift the top box you just get one box but if you lift from the bottom they all move. I don't really understand why repuglicans don't get that. Clinton did.
952157
If they cut funds, expect a body count double the current.  We are barely accomplishing mission with what we have there now.  Cut funding and the Democrats will have killed many Soldiers.  \n\nI pray it does not happen.  If it does, the Dems are going to have blood on their hands...the'll prob blame it on Bush though...
878660
The gov't upped the death benefit but the disabled are still gettin nothing but therapy!! What a sin. People have to write their congressmen.  \n\nMy neighbor is a disabled Iraqi war veteran. He was medically discharged with a pension, draws social security, and is in the final stages of compensation through the military. When his compensation goes through he loses his pension. When it is all totalled he will draw 3513 dollars per month.........pretty good living for stress.
887661
This is true my husband came back from Iraq with nothing, no money, no health insurance etc.. We hear stories of fellow veterans that got screwed too. It's disgusting. Democrats are the only hope for veterans. If you don't believe me, look at the voting records of our leaders. Vote Democratic on Tuesday, it's the only way to really support the troops. \n\nI was a republican before the army experience now I see the hypocrisy and lies. Read to reports, read the voting records.
861847
More people should read it and respect it like they should our Veterans and soldiers.\n\nMy father was a World War II, Korean War and Vietnam twice Veteran, besides all the other he did in his 32 years of service. Seems as if all the military did was take away benefits once he retired.\n\nThe military itself should read this!
259811
He wants to increase it because the men who fight for our country deserve it.  Also he has not decreased any of the active duty or reserves benefits.  God bless the USA!!!!