How do you rate Pres. Bush

Not necessarily true, but if they did it was with their own money.

 

Care to explain that? My vote wasn't bought.

 

My friends in the military were very clear that in military culture (Air Force in this case) it was well understood that a vote for W would be beneficial to all military. Is that Master Sarg? I am sure you know what I am talking about.
As for spending in general W is a total budget buster.

 

I hoping the implication is they studied the issues and looked at Mr. Kerry's voting record to reach that conclusion and not that they were coerced in any way. If it you're saying they were coerced, I'll tell you that is pure unadulterated male bovine fecal matter. There are very clear rules, regulations and instructions on this, it isn't tolerated, period. You are encouraged to vote, strongly encouraged, but no pressure is applied to vote for any party, candidate, or issue.

Yes, the military does tend to vote Republican. This shouldn't be suprising, since the GOP tends to be viewed as stronger when it comes to national defense and the experience of many niggardly budgets that forced the military to rely on antiquated and outdated equipment. Fortunately, the maintenance folks were up to the task of keeping our equipment operating. A great example is the B-52 (which hit its 50th year of operation in June).

True, we got some very nice pay raises in recent years, and these almost brought pay up to parity with our civilian counterparts. Too many younger troops were having to rely on food stamps to feed their families for too many years and some still do. Democrats are perceived (deserved or not) of having the attitude of "if we wanted you to have a family, we would've issued it to you."

Does this equate to our votes being bought? Earned is a more accurate description.

You were almost correct on my rank, it is Master Sergeant.

 

It is a simple votes for benefits exchange, the same thing that dems do, both parties do this.

 

Everyone in the military is extremely underpaid and should be paid more. After all it not just a job, nor is it just an adventure, it is a fighting machine that is defending our way of life by risking theirs.

 

Dont be too hard on him Tony, they don't get to those long words before the sixth grade. So cut his a little slack, please.

 

Let's be specific here...A dyed in the wool Democrat that was brought up in one of the last DFL's in the country. How many of you remember the DFL?

 

Everyone? Do you have any idea what the entitlement program for military retirees costs this country? Tell me everyone is underpaid. Bah!

 

When ever someone questions military pensions or other entitlement programs I ask the simple questions, 1. How much money would you risk your life and limb for?
2. When was the last time you visited a veteran's hospital?

 

OK...lets start with what an entitlement program is:

The kind of government program that provides individuals with personal financial benefits (or sometimes special government-provided goods or services) to which an indefinite (but usually rather large) number of potential beneficiaries have a legal right (enforceable in court, if necessary) whenever they meet eligibility conditions that are specified by the standing law that authorizes the program. The beneficiaries of entitlement programs are normally individual citizens or residents, but sometimes organizations such as business corporations, local governments, or even political parties may have similar special "entitlements" under certain programs. The most important examples of entitlement programs at the federal level in the United States would include Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, most Veterans' Administration programs, federal employee and military retirement plans, unemployment compensation, food stamps, and agricultural price support programs.

SOoooooooo.....Just to bash everyone equally pinochio...... Lets stop giving money to all those "overpaid" senior citizens, sick citizens, civilian citizens that worked for the US Goverment, military citizens that risked their lives to protect freedom so that adamantly ignorant people can spout off and spit on them in return, unemployed citizens, poor citizens needing food, farming citizens that Willi Nelson is always singing to raise money for, oh, and don't forget all those "overpaid" people devistated by the hurricanes this year....they're all costing the goverment, and therefore us taxpayers, a fortune.

Did I miss understand, or were you simply suggesting that if you work for the goverment you should not be entitled to a pension plan like other US Citizens in "normal" civilian jobs?

 

Talking about Sarge, this guy is the real deal not a paper pusher (I assume you are a paper pusher)
http://vietnamblues.com/

BTW Sarg is an acceptable abbreviation in informal settings like this. If I were to hold everyone to proper grammar and spelling here we would all look like idiots. Lets face it we have had an informal approach to such things here.

 

I have heard that before, but my friend Tommy went into the Marines about one year ago. He is in Iraq now as an MP. Before he left he told me (and he was not lying) that he has already been offered a well paying job on a major police force when he gets out (with his military time counting as time on the job). Further he will earn a BA degree while serving. He does not make much now and he is really putting his butt on the line (he calls it doing his job), but this will set him off on a great career. He does not complain because he feels it is a great opportunity.

 

I have heard that before, but my friend Tommy went into the Marines about one year ago. He is in Iraq now as an MP. Before he left he told me (and he was not lying) that he has already been offered a well paying job on a major police force when he gets out (with his military time counting as time on the job). Further he will earn a BA degree while serving. He does not make much now and he is really putting his butt on the line (he calls it doing his job), but this will set him off on a great career. He does not complain because he feels it is a great opportunity. BTW I agree with him.

 

The military is a great opportunity but lets face it your friend deserves those opportunities and more for people are coming home drapped in flags as they have in the past and will in the future defending our way of life.

More money for the soldier and less money for toliet seats.
The money is already there, it is just not allocated properly.

By the way Danr, even if we disagree on subjects I have noticed that you have accepted some viewpoints that you once disagreed upon and I respect that as much as I respect your right to disagree.