Mexstan

A friend has just sent me this. Could it be true?<br><br>What's a Military Family Worth? by Rush Limbaugh,<br>March 11, 2002<br><br>I think the vast differences in compensation between the<br>victims of the September 11th casualty, and those who<br>die serving the country in uniform, are profound. No one is really talking about it either because you just don't<br>criticize anything having to do with September 11th.<br>Well, I just can't let the numbers pass by because it says<br>something really disturbing about the entitlement mentality<br>of this country. If you lost a family member in the September 11th attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of $250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.<br>If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier<br>killed in action, the first check you get is a $6,000 direct<br>death benefit, half of which is taxable. Next, you get $1,750<br>for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get $833<br>a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per<br>month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those<br>payments come to a screeching halt. Keep in mind that some<br>of the people that are getting an average of $1.185 million up<br>to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough. We also<br>learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking<br>for the same deal that the September 11th families are getting.<br>In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well. You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over fifty years of entitlement politics in this country.<br>It's just really sad. &quot;Patriotism is not a short and frenzied<br>outburst of emotion but the tranquil and steady dedication<br>of a lifetime.&quot;-Adlai E. Stevenson, Jr.<br>Every time when a pay raise comes up for the military they<br>usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green<br>machine is in combat in the Middle East while their families<br>have to survive on food stamps and live in low rent housing.<br>However our own U.S. Congress just voted themselves a<br>raise, and many of you don't know that they only have to<br>be in Congress one-time to receive a pension that is more<br>than $15,000 per month and most are now equal to be<br>millionaires plus. They also do not receive Social Security<br>on retirement because they didn't have to pay into the<br>system.<br>If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out<br>as an E-7 you may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, and<br>the very people who placed you in harms way receive a pension of $15,000 per month. I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks before they start cutting out benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting. &quot;When do we finally do something about this ??&quot;<br>If this doesn't seem fair to you, it is time to forward this to as<br>many people as you can.<br><br><br><br>

Fishcop

It is 100% true.........I did it for 26 years. &gt;

Mexstan

I was hoping to hear that it was not true. :'( <br>So your politicians are no better than any other country? Self interests first, country and citizens last. &gt;

Fishcop

That's just about right Mexstan. They also promised medical care for the rest of my life if I served for 20 years. That did not happen either! But the polititions get it....

sherod

Had to put my 2cts in. I retired after 20 yrs USAF. Got the standard medical promise. No problems at retirement physical so no VA gaurantee. Do not agree with the politicians very often, but I knew what the benefits were throughout my career. Still chose to stay in even tho offered several nice offers from civilian companies. With the war on, would be proud to return to uniform and give them some more time. As my career field is not currently at critical level, all I can do is watch and keep the faith. Sorry, just a bit of the old flag waving. I'll stop now.

NWDave

Mexstan: It's absolutely true. Medical benefits? Well, let's see, you're entitled to it, true enough. But then let's talk about availability. Over the past many years, they've cut back on our force's manning. It's easy to make deep cuts in various departments so that combat arms can maintain some capability. Space Availability means in reality, no appointments available. I would rather that active duty dependents were able to get medical assistance anyway. It's tough enough for them. I've got other medical coverage now, but then I'm one of the lucky ones. Pay? That figure is just a touch low, it's closer to $1200 gross for 20 years of service. Oh yeah, we get periodic raises, if you want to count 1% - 2% a raise. It doesn't even make an honest attempt to keep up what is happening with cost of living. Death benefits, yep, just what you read. And let's see, we have 90,000 troops, airmen, marines, coastguardsmen and naval personnel currently and ACTIVELY involved in the present conflict. <br><br>But, hey, I hear it's tough duty having to work and live in the Washington D.C. area. Why, the humility of having to share an office with someone else? <br><br>~Dave

shortfieldbreak

Dave, I heard today that the number servingin this conflict is now 250,000. I love serving how I am, but the lack of benefits at the end is why I carry lots in insurance. I try to cover my own rear end.<br><br>-SFB