Veterans, doing our part for the country… again.

Who would have thunk it?  It’s looking like those “good for nothings” in Congress are actually; get ready for this… are actually going to pass a budget!! When was the last budget passed, I erroneously stated 2009 in an earlier post, but what they passed was actually a combination of bills lumped together.  The last, bipartisan bill was passed in 1997. Yep, you heard me right – 1997, when Slick Willie (for the record, I like Wild Bill!) was still in office. I look forward to actually having a budget – now if we could just get a surplus going and knock down this debt; but I digress….

I’m not going to go into any detail regarding each and every cut in the budget, as there are other blogs and persons to do that.  My goal here is to address one small item in the budget that seems to have folks up in arms.

There has been a lot of hype over this budget deal, especially from the conservative crowd yelling about how the military retirement is getting cut.  I have to disagree.  I have served my country, along with many of my friends who are going to disagree with me on this; but the fact remains – our retirement has not been reduced.  What the federal government is reducing is the cost of living allowance (COLA) adjustments that retirees receive. For those of us retirees under age 62, our COLA will be reduced by 1%.  Once a retiree reaches the age of 62, they’ll receive the full COLA amount.  My feeling is, if that’s what it takes, I’ll do my part.  I do have one question though: is that welfare recipient getting their adjustments reduced also?   I have no problem “taking one for the team,” provided the pain is spread evenly among all citizens of this great land.

Click this link for a quick Q & A on the budget.

I would like to take this moment to disagree with Mr. Ryan  on a couple of points regarding retirees:

• Military Healthcare – it is not free.  The only time I, or any other veteran I know received “FREE” healthcare was while on active duty or when being treated at a VA center. TRICARE comes in a couple of different flavors, and the standard plan (think PPO) acts similar to any other healthcare insurance, there are deductibles and co-pays.  For the deluxe “Prime” plan (think HMO), there is a (granted heavily reduced) monthly fee that non-active duty members pay.  Prime; while inexpensive does not apply to all situations; for example – it doesn’t meet my family’s needs, so we use standard.  Neither are “free” healthcare.  They are more like an insurance plan.
• Commissaries / Exchanges – The prices are often higher than you’ll pay at other local stores, say Target.  I think most people I know that continue to shop at the commissaries and exchanges (including me) do it out of some feeling of duty.  While overseas or in other remote locations, the commissary and exchange may be the only places available to a service member or their family; so it is important to keep those facilities in operation.

I think it is imperative that we pass a budget, and it is reassuring to me as an Independent to see both sides complaining.  When both sides complain, usually the middle wins; and it’s about time the middle of the road folks get a win.