Military Gets Cola, Vets Get Nothing

[broncovet]

Here it is:

http://www.military.com/benefits/military-...s?ESRC=navy-a.n

The military says that military deserves a pay raise, and I agree, but says on the other hand, Veterans get zero.

The VA squandering of our money is bad enough, an increase was given to the VA by congress sufficient for a pay raise, but VA executives decided to keep this money for themselves and award each other bonuses instead.

[navydoc2]

I wonder if we all wrote our elected officials, if it would put pressure on the VA to do the right thing.

Edited October 23, 2009 by navydoc2

[carlie]

navy,

No, I don't think it would help us get a cola.

jmho,

carlie

[broncovet]

I hope that Carlie is not right, that thousands of us writing to our congressperson wont do any good, because that would mean that our government has truly broken down, and that "Of the people, By the people, and For the People" is just another broken campaign promise. I say we try it and find out.

[navydoc2]

I hope that Carlie is not right, that thousands of us writing to our congressperson wont do any good, because that would mean that our government has truly broken down, and that "Of the people, By the people, and For the People" is just another broken campaign promise. I say we try it and find out.

Lets do it spread the word "VETS NEED COLA TOO" campaign have Tbird send out emails to everyone. The price we paid for freedom should mean something.

Edited October 23, 2009 by navydoc2

[12R3G]

Be careful what you wish for...(ancient Chinese proverb)

Earlier this year, legislation was pass/signed tying VA compensation and pension payments to the same formula--CPI-W--that social security recipients and military retirees use. the good news is we don't have wait for Congress to pass a bill specifically raising pay rates each year. the bad news is that the CPI-W had negative inflation from Oct 08 to Sep 09 (the measurment period), so for the first time in the 34 years this formula has been used, there is no COLA. since VA compensation is now tied to the CPI-W, we don't get a COLA either. The slightly bright note is that the law does not allow for a reduction in pay due to deflation--it stops at zero.

The proposal making the rounds in DC are to give every affected recipient--including veteran's receiving compensation--a one-time $250 check in lieu of COLA.

Since we started this year effectively 2 points in the hole, don't expect a COLA next year either.

[carlie]

Be careful what you wish for...(ancient Chinese proverb)

Earlier this year, legislation was pass/signed tying VA compensation and pension payments to the same formula--CPI-W--that social security recipients and military retirees use. the good news is we don't have wait for Congress to pass a bill specifically raising pay rates each year. the bad news is that the CPI-W had negative inflation from Oct 08 to Sep 09 (the measurment period), so for the first time in the 34 years this formula has been used, there is no COLA. since VA compensation is now tied to the CPI-W, we don't get a COLA either. The slightly bright note is that the law does not allow for a reduction in pay due to deflation--it stops at zero.

The proposal making the rounds in DC are to give every affected recipient--including veteran's receiving compensation--a one-time $250 check in lieu of COLA.

Since we started this year effectively 2 points in the hole, don't expect a COLA next year either.

12R3G,

Thanks for the post.

The $250.00 is what we need to be writing congress and our reps about.

When the CPI-W formula shows no cola - that's it.

carlie