Shocking: Obama cuts healthcare benefits for active duty troops

[cheguevara]

but leaves Unionized Defense workers untouched

why does he hate our troops?

http://scaredmonkeys.com/2012/02/28/...fense-workers/

If anyone was still wondering which side of the fence that Obama stood on when it comes to the US military, they need look no farther than his proposed budget. Obama looks to cut healthcare benefits for active duty and retired US military, while while leaving unionized civilian defense workers’ benefits unchanged. Go figure.

The Obama administration’s proposed defense budget calls for military families and retirees to pay sharply more for their healthcare, while leaving unionized civilian defense workers’ benefits untouched. The proposal is causing a major rift within the Pentagon, according to U.S. officials. Several congressional aides suggested the move is designed to increase the enrollment in Obamacare’s state-run insurance exchanges.

The disparity in treatment between civilian and uniformed personnel is causing a backlash within the military that could undermine recruitment and retention.

[cheguevara]

Ron Paul Issues Statement on Obama’s Proposed Tricare Cuts
“Failing to meet the promises we have made to our troops would be unjust and immoral”

http://www.businesswire.com/news/hom...oposed-Tricare

LAKE JACKSON, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--2012 Republican Presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul issued the following statement regarding the Obama administration’s latest proposal to seek cuts in Tricare benefits for veterans and active military. See comments below.

“As President, I intend to keep the promises and commitments we have made as a nation to our troops, because they are the ones that sacrifice everything to keep us free.”
“As a Doctor, an Air Force Veteran, and Congressman, who serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and has always fought for the best interest of our troops, I am appalled at President Obama’s disregard for the health and well-being of America’s military families and his continued fealty to union boss special interests.

“The Obama administration’s proposed defense budget would require military families and retirees to pay exceedingly more for their healthcare, while leaving unionized civilian defense workers’ benefits untouched. This is unacceptable.

“Our military men and women have fought bravely, and in exchange, our country made a promise to them that we must honor. There are trillions of dollars in unwise and uncons utional spending we must cut. And there are few other leaders in Washington willing to cut spending as deeply as I am and truly balance our budget. But we must make sure we take care of our veterans and military personnel who fight to take care of us.

“We have put our troops in harm’s way, and we must honor our promises. Our troops have paid a heavy price these past 10 years. Over 5,000 have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan, 40,000 have seen crushing injuries, and hundreds of thousands more suffer from brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Failing to meet the promises we have made to our troops would be unjust and immoral.

“Instead of cutting our veterans’ benefits, President Obama should truly support our troops by bringing them home to protect our borders and defend our country. Re-unite them with their families and make sure they no longer play policeman in dangerous foreign civil wars. Cutting the benefits of our veterans while we subsidize the security of other wealthy nations like Germany and Japan and play ‘world policeman’ makes no sense.

“As a Congressman, I have taken very seriously my duty to ensure that our fighting men and women are well taken care of and given the respect, dignity, and appreciation they have earned. That is why I introduced H.R. 1092, the Military Retirees Health Care Protection Act, which prohibits the Department of Defense from increasing Tricare fees without congressional approval. I urge my fellow members of Congress, and the other GOP presidential candidates to support this action and support our troops.

“As President, I intend to keep the promises and commitments we have made as a nation to our troops, because they are the ones that sacrifice everything to keep us free.”

what a classy guy

[cheguevara]

"According to one congressional estimate, a retired Army colonel with a family currently paying $460 a year for health coverage would pay $2,048 under the new price schedule."

support our troops

[boutons_deux]

aka "shared sacrifice", which excludes the 1%.

dubya's unfunded wars and unfunded tax cuts and unfunded Medicare stuff finally comes looking for funds, and only the 99% "share the sacrifice".

The military pushed for starting and extending these deficit-deepening wars and eternal MIC expansion, now they can pay for it.

[cheguevara]

The military pushed for starting and extending these deficit-deepening wars and eternal MIC expansion, now they can pay for it.

the MIC pushed it. Not the troops.

yet, we still reward the MIC and not the troops.

oh and let's also leave the union defense workers(who also pushed for it) alone. They are good voting folk.

[ChumpDumper]

Wouldn't the unions have to be dealt with through a collective bargaining process. You know, like they do with unions?

[johnsmith]

Wouldn't the unions have to be dealt with through a collective bargaining process. You know, like they do with unions?

That's what I was wondering too.....having said that, what do you think about the OP, besides his aside about unions?

[ChumpDumper]

That's what I was wondering too.....having said that, what do you think about the OP, besides his aside about unions?

Any cuts suck, but a couple thousand dollars for a year of family health care doesn't sound completely onerous.

What do you think?

[johnsmith]

Any cuts suck, but a couple thousand dollars for a year of family health care doesn't sound completely onerous.

What do you think?

I personally think that soldiers and their money should never be ed with. No matter what part of their money, be it their pay, or their insurance, or extended benefits, they should only go up....never down.

Also, I keep asking you your thoughts on because the schtick that you use when constantly questioning everyone, while always hilarious imo, but you stopped addressing things almost completely. You have good takes on political issues, and the only way you discuss them is if you're asked.

That's all.

[cheguevara]

Dump hates our troops

[ChumpDumper]

Dump hates our troops

I would hope any cuts are phased in, but I don't think anyone should be immune as a matter of course. To be sure there are other things that should probably be cut first.

[cheguevara]

Unionized Defense workers seem to be immune

[ChumpDumper]

Unionized Defense workers seem to be immune

You never answered my question about them, so I'm just going to assume you're wrong. It's always the safe bet.

[cheguevara]

That's the point. Obama didn't even try to go though a process to cut Union benefits, whatever that process is.

[ChumpDumper]

That's the point. Obama didn't even try to go though a process to cut Union benefits, whatever that process is.

Do you know anything about the process?

Again, I'm going with "No."

That's the point.

[cheguevara]

Do you know anything about the process?

Again, I'm going with "No."

That's the point.

doesn't matter, you don't know it either.

Obama didn't start it. that's all we need to know. And we all know why

[ChumpDumper]

doesn't matter, you don't know it either.

Obama didn't start it. that's all we need to know. And we all know why

No, we don't. That's the whole point, you idiot.

[cheguevara]

Dumpster

that's your point. My point is Obama left Unions untouched

[cheguevara]

Dumpster

that's your point. My point is Obama left Unions untouched

[boutons_deux]

the MIC pushed it. Not the troops.

yet, we still reward the MIC and not the troops.

oh and let's also leave the union defense workers(who also pushed for it) alone. They are good voting folk.

MIC includes guys like the Colonel above, and all the brass that run and extend the wars to pad their careers, chest ribbons, and war premiums.

[ChumpDumper]

Dumpster

that's your point. My point is Obama left Unions untouched

But you don't know why.

You admitted you didn't then claimed you did.

You lied. You're a liar. Per usual.

[cheguevara]

I never claimed I knew the process.

Obama still left them untouched

[CosmicCowboy]

Chump, lets phrase this differently.

Do you honestly think Obama would stand up to the SEICU and other unions to reduce Federal civilian employee health benefits in order the save the Federal Government money like he did with the military?

[CosmicCowboy]

Furthermore, do you think that Obama would stand up to the SEICU and other unions to shift Federal civilian retirement benefits from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan?

[CosmicCowboy]

Furthermore, do you think that Obama would stand up to the SEICU and other unions to shift Federal civilian retirement benefits from a defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan?

oops, SEIU and not SEICU.