What do you think about the ammendment to give families of military killed

[Toots]

in action a half million dollars? When I was in the service we had the opportunity to buy special life insurance (cheap) for in case we were killed in action but the only true death benifit we received was a paid for funeral with color guard and a folded flag. I have mixed emotions about this but I would much rather give our tax money to families in need than to Halliburton or GE. I guess I should be saying is what took so long?

[elehhhhna]

1. mixed feelings.

[fighttotheend]

2. WHAT TOOK SO LONG WAS OUR BUSHness.....

never served his time that lil coward. And Kerry is pushing for this because he knows that the families get into financial trouble when their loved ones are away. Not to mention many other things, children losing fathers....no amount of money will bring them back, especially for a falsified war.

[The Doctor.]

10. By all accounts Bush *did* want to go to 'nam...

But daddy wouldn't let him.

"I got big plans for you, son."

And although falsified, this war was necessary to keep Americans comfortable.

What else could we have done... stick more taxes on gas to reduce consumption and help balance the federal budget?

*crazy talk*

[fighttotheend]

14. I not more comfortable in fact

I more afraid of what he will do for a lil green in his pocket
And if big plans are start a war, destroy our land, kill our wildlife, cut medical care for kids and the elderly, slash educational programs for children, cut taxes for the wealthy and so those are sure some big plans (pun):crazy:

[nonconformist]

3. I'm not aware of this amendment - got a link? nt

[TheFarseer]

4. My first thought was

damn Iran is going to be expensive. How'd I get so cynical?

[The Doctor.]

5. No money will be enough.

Those soldiers are dying while Halliburton and friends are 'misplacing' billions of dollars.

What a crock.

I'd say 'yea' - a half million is the least we could do.

After all - the rebuidling of Iraq is 'practically paying for itself'.

[cornermouse]

6. Sounds more and more like the lottery to me.

Only difference is that, in order to win someone must die. Rather gruesome when you think about it.

[TahitiNut]

7. It's a small fraction of what they'd be paid if totally disabled.

Assuming full coverage under Social Security and military disability and someone in their mid-20's living an average life expectancy, I'd guess we're getting off very, very cheap.

That was part of dark humor in Vietnam .. "it's cheaper for Jody if we die rather than go back totally disabled."


On edit: I wonder if the "Security Firms" take out life insurance (with themselves as beneficiaries) on their employee-mercenaries. That'd be interesting to know. I can think of a VERY profitable "business model" that'd include such insurance.

[stray cat]

8. Familys of KIA should not be worried about falling into poverty

It is a shame when families of soldiers become destitute and lose their housing immediately after a soldiers death. It is about time. However, those who are disabled should also receive more help.

[WillowTree]

9. Why would this require an amendment?

[TahitiNut]

13. It was an amendment to the $84B Supplemental Appropriations ...

... legislation for BushIraqIstan - not a Constitutional amendment.

D'oh! :dunce:

[WillowTree]

20. How very diplomatic of you.

Thanks, anyway.

[TahitiNut]

21. How very good-humored of you.

You're welcome, anyway.

[kliljedahl]

16. Because * cut the funding

& also the funding for many of the VA's services. "Support the Troops"

What a F&*king Hypocrite.


http://www.kliljedahl.net

[lyonn]

11. half a mil - that is $500,000.

Even in a war with a real worthwhile agenda that is about right. These turds want to give them a flag.

[B Calm]

12. You think maybe we could get the oil companies to pay

the families?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

15. Sure..when they do the same for anyone killed on the job.

What makes a soldier any differnt from a welder or truck driver or a dishwasher?

The draft is no longer with us. They chose the military as an occupation, knowing the risks involved. They have free medical care, free housing, free meals, free education when they get out, housing subsidies, etc.

And, their salaries aren't all that bad. Sure beats the $78.00 a month that I got when I stupidly joined up in 1961.

[Retired AF Dem]

17. I guess you have been out to long

and served during the "good old days" They might have free medical, their wives and children do not. They don't have free meals unless they are under field conditions or single living in the barracks. They don't have free education anymore, the military matches the money they put in, there is no housing subsidies, they (myself included) can get a house loan without a down payment. I retired from the Air Force in 98.

[Toots]

18. You do make a point though slight it may be.

Our freedom is secured by military might whether we like it or not. They deserve to have their families cared for to a degree. If that truck driver or welder was working for the betterment of America instead of their own betterment I might agree. Granted we do need Truck drivers and welders for our country to carry on but they don't work directly for the country. If during a war they were carrying supplies or welding needed equipment the same rules might apply. I think it is a disgrace that it has taken this long for our country to even do this. The GI Bill was the last major thing for our military survivers and it was introduced and passed by Democrats as well. What have Republicans ever introduced that was actually beneficial for our military. all they ever introduce is spending bills to build more weapons of destruction.

[tsuki]

19. The way I read it was a half million dollars in benefits, not a check.

That would include PX, Medical, Unused Portion of GI Bill, and a monthly stipend. Before they National Guard widows got $17,000.00. Unless their spouse had six years in and was an E-4, they received not medical benefits for themselves or children. Those over the six year, received three years medical benefits.