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- My retirement is not a benefit, it is something I have earned over the past 24 years, through sacrifices and unquestionable commitment to my country and what it stands for. Were the sacrifices I made for my country and countrymen over the past 24 years a benefit?
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- "Getting the most bang for the buck" was an unfortunate choice of words with which to end the story, but probably true. The military seems to be following the corporate world in the trend of dumping experienced personnel favor of hiring young people at the lower end of the pay scale. Unlike in the corporate world, following this trend in the military will cost lives.
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- I just find it curious that Leon Panetta, and elements of the US Congress -- led by Barney Frank -- find that it would be nifty for the services to adopt a 401K system for those who serve their Country in uniform. Guess that this is the price we pay for lacking representation in the halls of Congress; a total lack of appreciation of the separations service member with families experience; the prices our men and women pay working the 24/7 schedules, not counting the mental and physical stresses that show up in later life; and most of all, representing LESS THAN ONE PERCENT OF THE TOTAL POPULATION of the US. Obama's team knows that soldiers, sailors, airmen. and Marines will salute, and say Yes Sir -- they do not have enough votes to determine their own destiny.
But watch out Congress. You have the Constitutional responsibility to "RAISE AND MAINTAIN ARMIES". Your job is about to get a lot more difficult retaining QUALITY beyond the 10th year of service. (And Obama will not be able to blame this on Bush, or 'bad luck'!)
Remember the hissy fits the liberal factions (Frank, Pelosi, Reid and others) had when George Bush had the audacity to suggest a VOLUNTARY SYSTEM for seniors to move to a 401K system to govern their retirement?
If this is such wonderful idea for those VERY FEW WITHIN OUR SOCIETY WHO ARE WILLING TO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR THIS COUNTRY, then when will we do the same for Members of Congress and the Federal Work Force?
I am reminded of Obama's statement in March of 2009, when the issue of caring for combat wounded surfaced. His view at the time was: THEY ARE VOLUNTEERS -- LET THEM PAY FOR THEIR OWN MEDICAL CARE - 'through their own insurance companies' (THEY CAN'T GET INSURANCE FOR MANY OF THEIR INJURIES!!!). So, not too surprised to see this initiative coming from TEAM OBAMA!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/20/AR2009032003236.html - Reply to this comment
- Jeff is right, military only get about 25 percent. We need a federal business board recommend also doing away with all federal employees and congressional officials to lose their currrent retirement plans. By the way all military are a cousin of all federal employees, as they are federal employees too, and this could be a discrimination federal lawsuit if the are singling out military. Sorry but all federal employees and congress must give something up too, and they make more than any 50 percent. We will save a boatload of tax dollars. I will be glad to go on air about this, cbs you can email me at easternamerica@gmail.com
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- The pension is actually only around 25% of uniformed pay since it doesn't compute against allowances. Then it's taxed around 28% so that makes it around 20% of what members get in uniform. Then add in Tricare, etc. The only retired is the uniform and then these folks hit the job market in their 40's. Most kids don't join right after high school and most will stay until high year tenure forces them out.
A 401k is some psychotic corporate ripoff for people that are under complete and total government control. It saves a miniscule amount of money over 20 years ($250B) but there was never a cost-benefit analysis done to support their assertions. It simply states that it "saves money". Any moron can chop a budget in half and claim they saved money. The bottom line is: Is it effective on the battlefield? Does it fight battles and win wars while saving lives? My guess is that for some limited engagements it may but for anything else this proposal is laughable.
The DBB should be fired as the first cost-cutting measure for even suggesting this at a zenith of military endurance over in OIF/OEF and the current market situation. It is worse than any Vietnam-era spit in the face. - Reply to this comment
- This video addresses the foolish idea that military duty is just the same as a civilian job. This is at the core of this attempt to rob the veterans.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv6tlS5DCfk - Reply to this comment
- You may find the book "History of military pension legislation in the United States" very illuminating. Google Books is giving it away here: http://books.google.com/books/about/History_of_military_pension_legislation.html?id=sRLuay__L10C
You may find out that this isn't the first time significant changes in Military Pensions were made. Indeed, you will find that America's history is replete with broken promises in the area of public pensions. Of course, this history mirrors the history of private pensions as well. - Reply to this comment
- As anyone considers this issue, I hope they could stand in my husband's boots for just one moment...the one in March when he hugged and kissed his kids goodbye, telling them he'd be home again in 14 months. Then he shouldered his pack, and walked out the door with his children crying. He loves his job, but there are real and unique sacrifices involved. The retirement benefit isn't comparable to the private sector because the service isn't comparable.
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- Before they touch military retirement pay, they should first cut all benefits and perks of congress and senators. Get rid of the benefit of luxury air force liners, the retirement pay after 2 or 4 years of service, secret service for members, free gas and medical and force these yahoo's that are supposed to be serving their country the same way as our armed servicemen and women to live by the same laws and regulations that they put on the common man.
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- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sailors-and-Soldiers-For-Continuing-20-year-pension-plan/221908761194494
Hello,
I will be posting this link just about everyday to get new people to sign up for my Fackbook page about this issue. - Reply to this comment
