The $150 Combat Pay Will Not Be Counted Against Food Stamps

[The Lone Liberal]

Bush wants to support our young father’s at the front, so he has proposed that the $150 combat pay will no longer be counted against the food stamps that are keeping their families from starving. This is a boon for the estimated 25,000 families of young men in Iraq.

Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, has reported hearing from constituents that the US Army is now including applications for food stamps in its orientation packets for new recruits. It is no wonder when most of the front line troops who have been the army for less than a year earn $16,000 per year. That is about equivalent to what a Wal-mart clerk earns. Don’t think their officers do much better, a second lieutenant makes $26,000 a year, that is about what Tom DeLay paid one of his exterminators.

Bush, our war-president, has not done much for the boys-over-there, for instance when he and the Republicans gave a huge tax cut to the rich, they failed to extend the child tax credit for some 200,000 service children.

The facts here were taken from an article in the Progressive, Bush’s Odd Warfare State, by Barbara Ehrenreich. Author of Nickeled and Dimed.

I have to wonder if there isnt some money out of those billions and billions paid out to Brown and Root, Halliburton and Bechtel. I am sure if some oversight existed, which Bush and Cheney fought to see that there would not be any, there might be a few bucks for the boys that suffer death and dismemberment. Oh, I forgot, Bush did raise the death benefit from $6,000 to $12,000. Makes it seem worthwhile to die in pursuit of non-existent WMDs and glory for an Asshole.

[happynewyear]

1. I cannot think of anything to add

Well said. Enough is enough! When will this insanity stop? :(

[MikeG]

2. Hey soldier boy. Ya think money grows on friggin trees? (*Sarcasm*)

[aquart]

3. I thought he cut the increased death benefit.

"Benefit" is such an odd word under the circumstances.

[zmannxx]

4. cheap bastards

Doesnt the beneficiary get 250k?

[Qanisqineq]

7. um, if you pay for it

just like any life insurance

[strategery blunder]

5. $16000/year for being on call 24 hrs a day and working 14

hours per day....nice to know bu$h* supports the troops, eh?

I'm surprised the troops aren't inquiring about a transfer to Halliburton:grr:

[greatauntoftriplets]

6. Perhaps the soldiers should desert and go work for ....

Blackwater USA. The pay is much better. Privatize the whole damn war.

It just gets worse and worse, doesn't it?