Vfw Will Defeat Bachmann Plan

[allan]

fwd from: Colonel Dan

VFW Will Defeat Bachmann Plan

WASHINGTON (January 28, 2011) — America's oldest and largest major combat veterans' organization announced it will do everything within its power to defeat a plan introduced by Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) to cut $4.5 billion from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

"No way, no how, will we let this proposal get any traction in Congress," said Richard L. Eubank, the national commander of the 2.1 million-member Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. and its Auxiliaries.

On her website, the three-term congresswoman lists more than $400 billion in suggestions to cut federal spending. The VA suggestion would cap increases to VA healthcare spending, and reduce disability compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments — in other words, an offset. She says her plan is intended to generate discussion.

"The only discussion the VFW wants is to tell the congresswoman that her plan is totally out of step with America's commitment to our veterans," said Eubank, a retired Marine and Vietnam combat veteran from Eugene, Ore.

"There are certain things you do not do when our nation is at war, and at the top of that list is not caring for our wounded and disabled servicemen and women when they return home," he said. "I want the congresswoman to join us in a tour of the Minneapolis VA Medical Center and Poly Trauma Center the next time she's in her home district to witness firsthand the great work the VA does every day to heal their wounds and ease their pain. Then I want her to look those disabled veterans in the eye and tell them their service and sacrifice is too expensive for the nation to bear.

"The day this nation can't afford to take care of her veterans is the day this nation should quit creating them," said Eubank.

-30-

"Keep on, Keepin' on"

Dan Cedusky, Champaign IL "Colonel Dan"

See my web site at:

http://www.angelfire.com/il2/VeteranIssues/

[Pete53]

Why am I not surprised?

[john999]

Bachman's plan will generate discussion among disabled vets. The discussion will revolve around tar and feathers.

[Bonzai]

"...and reduce disability compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments — in other words, an offset."

This congresswoman is completely out of touch if she thinks that every disabled veteran receives Social Security Disability Insurance.

The DAV has also joined in the outcry against her. http://www.dav.org/news/NewsArticle.aspx?ID=378

I have sent an email to my Congressional Representative.

Edited January 30, 2011 by Bonzai

[Philip Rogers]

I can't see how they can offset VA Comp and SSDI. VA Comp was paid for by your service and SSDI was paid for by taking the payments out of our wages. Legally they shouldn't be able to offset. jmo

pr

[jeff10]

WHY does no one ever rebuff these suggestions with the question of how much We (taxpayers)can cut first from ALL elected officials Compensation(tax money) and Benefits(more tax money) during their term and especially after they leave office!!! I think it was Glenn Beck who first said if these people truly want to "serve" the people of this country as ou8r representatives, they should be paid no more than a PFC until they serve time and gain rank. Man, would you see PFC pay go up !

jeff10

[john999]

I was a federal employee who retired on disability. I also had paid into SSA for years. My federal disability pension was reduced by 60% of my SSD. If enough of these budget cutters get into power they can do anything. Just because some politicians wrap themselves in the flag does not mean they give a damn about veterans. The dream of many of these politicians is to gut SSA and medicare. They would not mind gutting the VA compensation system either. As long as their corporate masters don't have to pay taxes they would sacrifice all of us.