Originally Posted by
NERD
Buzz,
I think most in this country realize we are broke and everyone is going to have to cinch their belts. What is happening is a shakedown of unions, whether it be NJ, WI, OH or airline unions. They (ultra wealthy, multi-natls, etc.) are trying to further diminish the middle class, thus more money, less or no taxes for themselves. What would your feelings be if a group of politicians attacked your earned retirement and tricare? My guess is you and other veterans would go bat****. Sorta like the teachers and other union members are now. If, big if we are going to turn this ship around EVERYONE is going to have to pony up. Workers are going to pay more taxes, corps. are going to have to lose some loopholes, write offs on taxes will need to be eliminated or reduced, politicians are going to have to give up their full pensions and health care for life after 1 or 2 terms (maybe pro-rate those based on years served) those on SS will have to take a hit, same with medicare, military retirees(especially hire paid officers) will have to take a 10-15% pay hit and pay more for tricare. My guess is most fiscal conservatives won't like it when they come after their benefits, but it is ok to go after others. So, Buzz. What say you?
NERD, if you'd like me to list the litany of military benefits that have been cut or eroded since I was commissioned in 1981, I'd be happy to. Time permitting. Mil retirees have been hit, and hit fairly consistently, over the years. This year, in fact, is the first in my memory where Congress voted not to include a cost-of-living adjustment to military pensions...and we all know that we're so much better off financially this year as compared to last. My father is a retired major general who flew in Vietnam and served for 33 years. His benefits are eroding year after year. So, yes, I agree we all need to ante up. I think most of us are. That's why I have so little empathy for the public servants in Wisconsin and elsewhere.
Here's the bottom line: 47 of the 52 US states are in the red. The game is changing. Unions are outliving their usefulness.
Just came back from a layover in DTW, any questions?
And, finally, for all those UW students parading around Madison with their Che Guevara t-shirts on...Che's dead, get over it.
