As most of you have seen in the last month or so, the working class Americans are mad at the income level differences between themselves and the extremely rich. The "Occupy Wall Street" movement is stressing that they are the 99% and that since they do the labor that makes these people very rich. The owners should take a break in their pay and give it to the people that make it possible for them to be so ridiculously rich, and they want the Government to fix the problem.
Well I'm mad too, I am part of the 1.5% of this great nations population that has stood or currently stands ready 24 / 7/ 365 to defend the Freedoms and Rights of the other 98.5% of this nations population. I will make that crystal clear, this number includes the men and women that served and have gotten out and drawing benefits and the Ready Reserve, and National Guard, and Coast Guard. This number also reflects the injured that are drawing disability due to injuries at war or training for war. Who is standing up for our Rights and pay while we defend those of the rest of the Nations?
Congress wants to make defense budget cuts and one of those cuts include (but not limited to) retirement benefits for those that have served honorably. They also want to cut the medical benefits for these people. Here is a bit of useless information, if a Congress person serves one complete term, they get retirement benefits for life, that's 6 years for a lifetime of benefits. A Soldier has to give 20 years to get benefits of 50%. Does that add up? I don't think so. In 2011 the defense budget was $964 Billion of which $768 Billion was for the military. The Veterans portion was $141 Billion. The General Government used $33 Billion in 2011 and $20 billion of that for the different branch's and $12 billion for general services. There are a lot of sub categories in there so they can justify that spending one such slot was the Sergeant of Arms to guard the doors. Not 100% sure about this, but couldn't they get a detail for MP's, Old Guard Soldiers, or Marines to do this for less than $100 million a year? I bet they could. There are a bunch of things they could cut out of their budget to help the economy and give back to the people. Congress works about 6 months of the year? I haven't found definitive times on this but its not year round plus they can take vacation when ever they want during session this is why at any given time you can watch CSPAN and see that not all 100 seats are full during sessions to vote on things.
I believe that Congress is running ramp-id, making laws and passing bills for their own benefit's. The people need to speak out, and I don't mean just these Occupy City and state capitals sit ins, if you want them to listen, vote them out of a job and put new people in these positions that will make this country better. There isn't always a clear person to vote for during the elections. do a little research and if you don't like the choices write in a name. Same with the Presidency, Congress picks who they think shares their views on how to run the Government. What they should remember is that the few protect the many and they should not make it difficult for us to do our jobs and provide for our families.
The military personnel should not take a pay cut or a cut in the research and development in equipment that will keep them safer in combat. Yes, we volunteered to do this job but we have families to feed and bills to pay just like the other 98.5%. the difference is We will fight for our Rights and Freedoms and the rest of you just sit on your collective butts and cry about what rights you have and that they are being abused or threatened. That's my personal opinion. I also don't think you should be able to serve in the Federal Government unless you serve your Country in the military for a minimum of 3 years, that way you can see how your defenders live and have a real perspective on military life and what loyalty to country means.
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