Michele Bachmann Wants To Cut Benefits For Disabled Veterans
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No, really, you guys are making this way too easy.
Tea party favorite Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., has unveiled a plan for cutting $400 billion in federal spending that includes freezing Veterans Affairs Department health care spending and cutting veterans’ disability benefits.
Her proposed VA budget cuts would account for $4.5 billion of the savings included in the plan, posted on her official House of Representatives website.
Paul Sullivan, executive director of Veterans for Common Sense, said cutting veterans’ health care spending is an ill-advised move at a time when the number of veterans continues to grow as troops return from Iraq and Afghanistan. Sullivan said he finds it difficult to see how VA could freeze health care costs without hurting veterans.
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Bachmann’s idea of cutting costs by reducing veterans’ disability compensation by the amount received in Social Security Disability Income is not new.
From the article.
Also, there should be a maximum income for eligibility for care in a VA Hosp, unless you are 100% , which means you’re probably not making money, anyway…
Last time I went to a VAMC, it was packed with WW II veterans who were not handicapped. Those vets get healthcare even if they are not disabled, and, of course, at their age , they require more care as time goes by, nearly all related to old age, not military service.
I haven’t collected a cent of my veteran benefits in the 43 years since I got out of the Army. I’m waiting until I need them, and letting the interest pile up.
You think you’re gonna get interest?
MWAHahahahahahahahahaha !!!
You think you’re gonna get interest?
Apparently my humor is too subtle for conservatives.
Those vets get healthcare even if they are not disabled, and, of course, at their age , they require more care as time goes by, nearly all related to old age, not military service.
So what? If they put their asses on the line to protect me, then I am more than happy to provide for them in their old age with my tax dollars.
This is going to be the real ‘Sputnik’ moment. What cuts are we really going to be willing to accept?
Once again the party of ‘Support The Troops’ continues to demonstrate that this empty sloganeering only applies to those that can stay on the battlefield and lay waste to supposed ‘enemies’ while they stay comfortably at home and collect cheques from the NRA and defense contractors.
As soon as a disabled vet returns home however, the GOP can’t wait to make it as difficult as possible for them to receive the benefits they have earned, since they obviously no longer care about their country if they can’t stay in the theater of conflict and continue to prove it.
Bachmann is a wholly vile individual, and remains a perfect example of the modern face of Conservatism; morally bankrupt and reprehensibly contemptible.
I’d rather the Government pay to take care of it’s citizens rather then spending money on bombs, weapons, and tax breaks for the ultra-wealthy.
Isn’t it interesting, they say Bauchmann is a third term Rep… That would mean that she was in during the BUSH Administration…but she raised no flaggs knowing that Bush entered the Iraq War by choice, not necessity… creating how many hundreds of thousands of NEW Disabled Veterans? But she wants to deprive them of health care and compensation…? How would she feel if she lost everything she had, including health care services and benefits? Maybe the PEOPLE should consider cutting HER salary by 45% and since she already has an income exceeding that of what the average Iraq/Afghanistan Veteran who is disabled has…take away her congressional health care package as well as any future retirement she might gain from the PEOPLE for her services!
What MS Bauchmann fails to realize is that many who gain SSDI as well as VA Compensation do so because of DIFFERENT DISABILITIES…Non Service related, and Service related. Are those supporting her willing to concede their INSURANCE Claims and Compensation as applicable within the same format? That meaning that IF the Congrerss Woman gets into an accident and is totally disabled, unable to work, she foregoes any Social Security payment if she receives a specific amount from her Compensation from her insurance… Seems logical to me that [is] her choice…or is it? Perhaps she should consider repealing the compensation inequities of those who receive both Military Retirement and VA Disability… or even more…If you receive retirement from the government…ANY GOVERNMENT that you are declared INELIGIBLE for both Social Security and Medicare! Seems reasonable to me and it would cut the budget even more than what MS Bauchmann presents…and it is non discriminatory in approach! We all get the screwing of our lives by the Government!
Well, Todd, you keep that in mind the next time you’re elected President. Until then, how about if they rewrite the Veterans’ medical assistance laws so they make some sense.
And, Repack, usually it takes a joke to make me laugh.
Ol Froth – tell that to Jaim and Mambo – they are VERY unhappy with the idea that I get a check and a certain amount of medical care, despite the fact that I put “my ass on the line to protect them.” Go figure.
‘And, Repack, usually it takes a joke to make me laugh.’
Really? Then you must be having a hard time breathing with the likes of Bachmann and Palin on the scene.
Frank, I thought they were unhappy with you because you seek to cut others off from assistance, while accepting it yourself.
Sort of like Ayn Rand.
whenever I go to the VA and see WWII vets I sure as hell don’t think to myself “what a bunch of fucking freeloaders” frank is scum of the earth.
the fact that he takes it while wanting to cut it for others pisses me off.
Even more bullshit from a Rancid Vagina.
merl, you don’t know what you’re talking about, but you do it obscenely. I guess that counts for something in the intellectual cesspool you inhabit.
I thought they were unhappy with you because you seek to cut others off from assistance, while accepting it yourself.
That is incorrect, because they are incorrect. I never suggested cutting anyone off of benefits, which is I don’t let them get away with pretending that that is what I believe.
And why on earth are you linking to Ayn Rand? Are you comparing a social conservative, such as myself (more or less) to Ayn Rand ?
-giggles-
And,Randall, why MUST you be so disgusting?
Eeeeww.
‘Last time I went to a VAMC, it was packed with WW II veterans who were not handicapped. Those vets get healthcare even if they are not disabled, and, of course, at their age , they require more care as time goes by, nearly all related to old age, not military service.’
Frank, what seems disgusting is your inference that aging WWII vets are sucking the healthcare system dry because they have EARNED their benefits by virtue of their service to their country.
I suppose as you age, and as a veteran, you’re not going to make use of those same benefits?
Frank, you’re the one who typed this:
Last time I went to a VAMC, it was packed with WW II veterans who were not handicapped. Those vets get healthcare even if they are not disabled, and, of course, at their age , they require more care as time goes by, nearly all related to old age, not military service.
That makes it sound like you think that WWII vets who are not disabled are taking advantage of the system because they are old. If you don’t really believe that, then you should be more careful about what you type.
If you don’t understand why the link I put up is applicable to the situation, may I suggest that you click on it?
FDS, if Bachmann wasn’t such a vile and disgusting FUCKING IDIOT, I wouldn’t have to go there. Same for Mama Cu–er, Grizzly.
tell that to Jaim and Mambo – they are VERY unhappy with the idea that I get a check and a certain amount of medical care, despite the fact that I put “my ass on the line to protect them.”
From what I know, Frank, it seems you were a shitty soldier that caused more harm than good.
I thought they were unhappy with you because you seek to cut others off from assistance, while accepting it yourself.
Froth: Yup.
That is incorrect, because they are incorrect. I never suggested cutting anyone off of benefits, which is I don’t let them get away with pretending that that is what I believe.
Uh huh, Frank. This is why you support politicians that make this a cornerstone of their policy initiatives, right? Fucking hypocrite.
Because you disagree with them about cutting benefits? And also, what Froth said re: “older veterans that are collecting benefits related to old age rather than military service”.
Allow me to elucidate: World War II veterans get 100% medical care, regardless of their disability. No other veterans after World War II do. They are “clogging up the system” because there are guys with substantial disabilities waiting care behind them. How do I know? Because GI Bills are based on when you were in the Service. For example “my” GI Bill is based on service between 1961 and 1975 – that’s a lot of guys . Over 2 million in Viet Nam alone, and nearly ten times that amount that didn’t go. So all those guys should get medical care, right? Wrong. All they get is emergency care. You only get regular care – and that’s limited – if you a 30% or more disability. So, substantially disabled veterans are waiting for care (theoretically – priority of care is not that simple) behind WW II veterans whose medical needs may be more like maintenance.
Of course, it would be wonderful if all veterans got free medical care for life. But that’s not practical. The GI Bill should be made more equitable… Every veteran should be treated the same based on the nature of the health problem, and their ability to pay for health care.
No sane politician is going to propose cutting existing benefits. But you can change eligibility requirements, and you can ask people to pay if they are able to pay, and you can treat combat related ailments, before service – connected ailments, and service connected ailments before non-service connected ailments. That is more likely to result in savings.
{ aside to Professor Mambo: From what I know, Frank You KNOW nothing. You are only regurgitating Repack’s conjecture. Is that true or false? I know. He doesn’t. And neither do you. Some scientist you are. Claiming you know something based on the conjecture of another not in possession of the facts. What grade would you give a student that turned in work like that? Yeah, that’s right – a big, fat “F”. }
Let me ask you: Who is being more reasonable, at this very moment? You? Or me?
Randall, no one makes you say the vile, disgusting things you constantly say.
Frank, if that is actually the case, then I am appalled. Veterans, especially those who served in times of war, should be cared for. I’d add that even if they didn’t serve in times of war, they should still be cared for, simply because of the potential sacrifice they might have to make. AS I tell those who complain about my pay, I don’t get paid for what I do, I get paid for what I might have to do. I’d much, much rather that my tax dollars go to help those who served, rather than to serve our Galtian overlords.
Trust me , Froth , it is the case. In the NYC VA office , there is a huge mural with an inscription I can only paraphrase: “We take our soldiers from the streets and the countryside, and after we are done with them , we return them, wounded and injured from whence they came.”
The inscription goes back to the `18th century. Little has changed .
And why do you resist making this situation better?
‘No other veterans after World War II do. They are “clogging up the system” because there are guys with substantial disabilities waiting care behind them.’
Right, like the veterans of the two current wars that your new girlfriend Bachmann wants to ensure get shafted.
How can you possibly defend this shit?
Ol Froth , must you liberals always insist that every scheme you can dream up makes things better? Or that what didn’t work so well yesterday will work better tomorrow with more money?
J R, I am beginning to see why Dennis calls you Junior. You are an ankle biter. Relax , take it easy. It was Oliver who attacked Rep Bachmann. I am not here to defend her; she is not my girlfriend. She is not trying to shaft anybody. You are hysterical.
So you agree with Bachmann that the VA budget needs to be cut by $4.5 billion?
And if so, whose care should be eliminated to cover that spending cut?
The VFW disagrees with Ms. Bachmann:
Prodigal – No.
Señor Avenger: So?
So, he probably knows about what vets need more than someone like you, a self-admitted fuckup in the Armed Forces who ended their inglorious military career at the same rank that you entered with.
Now, if they had a Fucked-up Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, you’d be uniquely qualified to lead it, IMHO.
So, he probably knows about what vets need more than someone like you
Probably?
Thank you.
If that had an award for gutless unpatriotic rat bastards who wouldn’t join the army, if Los Angeles were invaded, you’d win it.
Incidentally, the V F W recently was criticized by other Veterans’ Organizations for some of its statements, so maybe some other veterans’ organizations know more about what veterans need than they do. Like the Disabled American Veterans, of which I am a Life Member.
So far, in the very recent past, you have insulted my mother, and called me a faggot, and a fucked up veteran.
I think any pretense you might have made to civility is gone, eh?
incidentally, the V F W recently was criticized by other Veterans’ Organizations for some of its statements, so maybe some other veterans’ organizations know more about what veterans need than they do. Like the Disabled American Veterans, of which I am a Life Member.
Yes, Mr. DiSalle, a loser like you who unlike the Commander of the VFW have never held a leadership position in your life knows better.
Hey, everyone, Mr. DiSalle wrote me an e-mail where he put in red that any unsolicited e-mail would be reported to AOL and gmail, so I reported his e-mail to gmail first as unsolicited and of a harassing nature.
… and the beat goes on.
“Prodigal – No.
Señor Avenger: So?”
If you disagree with Bachmann, Frank, why then are you defending her plan? Because no matter how you try to deny it, that’s what you’re doing here.
Prodigal. If my comments do not mention “defending her plan” then you have no reason to suggest that I am defending her plan. That’s as simple as I can make it. If you don’t agree that the VA can spend less money, you don’t agree. So what?
I reported his e-mail to gmail first as unsolicited and of a harassing nature.
You don’t know how important for me it was to know that you will lie about anything, no matter what harm it causes. You have gone from annoying to dangerous, and will bear watching.
You don’t know how important for me it was to know that you will lie about anything, no matter what harm it causes. You have gone from annoying to dangerous, and will bear watching.
Mr DiSalle, how is it a lie to say that your e-mail to me was unsolicited?
I sent a copy to the gmail reporting service, so you deal with them now that you’ve been hoist on your own petard.
You said it was harassing. Did you send them the email?
I sent them your bizarre blog’s URL, so they would know who they were dealing with.
Have a nice life, M’sieu Avenger. Unless you sue me, this is our last communication.
Frank, the fact that you have been attacking those of us who have criticised Bachmann’s plan means that you have been defending it. And by the “logic” that you used in the abortion thread of “not opposing = favoring”, the you posting in that thread would tell you that you favor her plan.
I’m willing to give you the benefit of the doubt, however, and speculate that you are defending the Bachmann plan not because you favor it (no matter how vigorously Other Thread You would argue this is the case), but rather that you’re defending Bachmann’s plan out of a reflexive need to disagree with Democrats about any- and everything.
You said it was harassing. Did you send them the email?
Yes, including the part you wrote in red about reporting me to gmail and AOL if I sent you an unsolicited email.
They’ll figure out who sent what to who first, Mr. DiSalle, you shouldn’t have a problem with being punished for an offense which you proclaimed yourself willing to report in the first place.
Anyway, I have few e-mail correspondents whose addresses I keep in my head, and an alternate e-mail from AOL that you have no knowledge of whatsoever, and that doesn’t count my ISP or yahoo accounts.
TTFN
Hey, everyone, Mr. DiSalle wrote me an e-mail where he put in red that any unsolicited e-mail would be reported to AOL and gmail, so I reported his e-mail to gmail first as unsolicited and of a harassing nature.
The bolded says so much about Frank.
Learn from this folks:
1) Don’t send unsolicited e-mails.
2) If you do so, don’t try to pick a fight with the recipient.
3) If you do pick a fight, try not to be dumb enough to put in red the consequences of sending an unsoliticed e-mail.
4) If you’re Mr. DiSalle, just ignore all of the above
Ol Froth – tell that to Jaim and Mambo – they are VERY unhappy with the idea that I get a check and a certain amount of medical care, despite the fact that I put “my ass on the line to protect them.”
No, Frank, they’re unhappy with the fact that you’re a hypocritical asshole. Even a 3 year-old would get that by now.
I never suggested cutting anyone off of benefits, which is I don’t let them get away with pretending that that is what I believe.
Your first post here was in support of cutting veterans off benefits.
Frank, do you even understand how the internet works?* The things you have said in the past are available to be looked up in mere seconds. You can’t just pretend you never said things you did say and expect people to give you the benefit of the doubt. The only person you’re fooling is yourself.
*Wait, you use AOL. Nevermind.
Wait, you use AOL
You see, Zython? That says something about your thought processes.
I said I would send a complaint to AOL and Gmail because one of us uses one, and the other uses the other.
Now, would you like to revise that statement, or is your certainty that I am the one who uses AOL not the least bit shaken?
they’re unhappy with the fact that they and you erroneously believe I am a hypocritical asshole.
FTFY
Your first post here was in support of cutting veterans off benefits.
Read it again, ankle biter.
Bachmann’s idea of cutting costs by reducing veterans’ disability compensation by the amount received in Social Security Disability Income \
Which would result in a net decrease in the funds veterans receive, and is thus a cut.
This is your brain on conservatism.
Any questions?
Republicans: “No matter how unpalatable it may be, everything is on the table for cuts. Including entitlement programs and defense.”
Obama: “We’re going to cut that deficit by more spending… er, I mean “investing” in infrastructure, and by holding just a handful of government programs at already high funding levels for just 5 years. Oh, and high-speed rail and solar shingles are going to win us the global race to technology superiority”
Pop quiz. Which side is exhibiting leadership and which side is voting “present” and positioning themselves for the next election?
Dave, of course he wants to be reelected, but I’ll bet he doesn’t know why.
Let’s start a contest:
After Pres Obama finishes being President, he will say “When I was the President”
a. 1 billion times
b. 1 trillion times
c. 1 quadrillion times
d. Googleplex times
e. All of the above, added together, and squared
I’m gonna go with d, because he may not live long enough to get to e
Thank you for the reminder of how you don’t care that your party wants to deny veterans needed health care, Frank. I guess Other Thread You was correct, and you do favor Bachmann’s plan to cut the benefits that our veterans earned by serving their country.
Thank you for the reminder of how you don’t care that your party wants to deny veterans needed health care, Frank.
Huh?
You’ve been defending Bachmann’s plan against all criticisms, Frank, so that means that either you don’t care that your party wants to deny veterans needed health care, or you approve of her plan. I was trying to give you the benefit of the doubt.
either you don’t care that your party wants to deny veterans needed health care, or you approve of her plan.
So now it’s either or.
Assuming I ever said I support Rep Bachmann’s plan – of course, I never did – you think that I don’t care that “my party wants to deny veterans needed health care.”
Let’s take a look at that:
1) I am not a Republican.
2) While Rep Bachmann is a Republican, she is not the Republican Party, or even its leader.
3) Reducing a veteran’s check might seem to be unfair, but there is this argument:
“I am not a Republican.”
I find it hilarious how so many people who “aren’t a Republican” parrot Republican talking points.
And as previously stated, FDS, since you have been defending Bachmann and her plan against all criticism, that means that either you support her plan to cut benefits for our troops, or you’re just mindlessly defending it out of a pathological need to disagree with anything a liberal says. No matter that Other Thread You has accused you of favoring Bachmann’s plan by arguing that “not opposing” is exactly the same as “favoring”, I’m still trying to give you the benefit of the doubt and credit your defense of the Bachmann plan to mindless kneejerking. But you’re making it look increasingly likely that Other Thread You is right about you favoring it.
Prodigal,
Very few wingnuts claim to be Republican, they refer to themselves as “conservative.” This is so they can run away from what the Republican party does- when the economy crashes, it is because Republicans weren’t conservative enough.
Conservatism cannot fail, it can only be failed.
I will pay a compliment to Frank though, the blog comments are a lot more entertaining now that Frank is back to being King of all Trolls.