Will wonders never cease? It appears, according to a recent blog post, my most conservative, most 'redneck' (he was actually born in Milwaukee - but he proclaims redneck devotion), most diehard GOOpr bro has now turned away from the 'pukes party and declared his independence. Extracts follow from his recent blog post: "No longer Republican- Giving up my 'Republicanship'!"
I have also been doing research on the latest "fiscal cliff" deal, and must say, that I am pissed more at the Republicans than the Dems as far as who wanted to cut what. As a Vietnam era veteran who has served this country honorably in both the U.S. Marine Corps (1971-1973) and in the U.S. Army (1975-1976), and have been fighting the VA for over two years for service-connected disabilities (PLURAL), I am just now getting positive action in the form of my SC disabilities being approved. I first and foremost give ALL THE GLORY TO GOD! Without HIS help - nothing is possible!
I also have two other brothers who served honorably in the Navy and Air Force during Vietnam and who also know what its like to fight the VA for earned benefits! Hence, (and I also believe I speak for my siblings, as well as millons of other veterans), when I say that I am adamantly opposed to any "cuts" whatsoever - in any way, matter, shape, or form - when it comes to veterans benefits!
I also must give Obummer credit for stating in the recent "fiscal cliff" negotiations what he told members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), that veterans benefits will "NOT be affected by defense cuts: 'your veterans benefits are exempt from sequestration. they are EXEMPT!'" That seems to be one promise that I must concede that he kept, and I have to "thank" him for that.
Contrast that to dumbass Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) proposal in January of 2011, when she unveiled a plan to cut $400 billion in federal spending that includes freezing the Veterans Affairs Department’s health care spending and cuts veterans’ disability benefits.
The Air Force Times reports her plan would slice $4.5 billion from the VA, including reducing 150,000 veterans’ disability compensation and the amount they receive in Social Security Disability Income.
Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters Executive Director David Gorman said Bachmann’s plan is “[s]uch an ill-advised proposal [it] is nothing short of heartless.” “It is unconscionable that while our nation is at war someone would even think of forcing our wounded warriors to sacrifice even more than they already have,” Gorman said. “Their injuries and disabilities were the result of their service to the nation, and our nation must not shirk its responsibilities toward them. How do you tell a veteran who has lost a limb that he or she has not sacrificed enough? Yet Rep. Bachmann wants to do just that.”
Of course, after she was getting blasted by just about every vets group and organization you can think of, Bachmann recanted on cutting VA benefits. But one has to wonder why in the world would she have even thought of balancing the budget on the backs of disabled vets. There is plenty of government waste and most of it starts in congress. Am I wrong here?
I find it mind-boggling that Republicans were actually taken by surprise by the fact that Obama won’t go along with cutting benefits for disabled veterans. Let that sink in for a minute. Republicans fully expected this president, the Democratic Party, and the American people to support a benefits cut for disabled veterans?!
I also agree that the chained CPI is bad policy, what Republicans are proposing is nothing less than an unpatriotic attack on the benefits that have been earned by disabled veterans. The fact that Republicans would even propose such a cut speaks volumes about how much they really value the sacrifice made by those who served their country. Also, as was reported by Disabled Veterans.org:
"Republican Paul Ryan and the House of Representatives are looking to end VA healthcare benefits for disabled veterans – that’s for over 1.3 million veterans who are Priority 7 & 8. These veterans are the least disabled veterans using the system, usually with disability ratings of 0 percent or no service-connected disability."
According to the Congressional Budget Office “Option 35,” the cuts would leave 130,000 veterans with no healthcare alternative. This means veterans with conditions not recognized by the VA, like certain diseases from Agent Orange exposure, would have to pay for healthcare out of pocket if they had not other service connected disability."
It continued: "Don’t believe the headlines. These cuts are just an attempt to split the oyster shell in half to steal the pearl. Once 1.3 million bodies get cut out of the VA system, politicians will have an easier time justifying further cuts to VA programs. Suddenly, the comprehensive health care you once received will be reduced to occasional physicals and virtual appointments via computer. Count on it."
I am also opposed to any cuts in regard to Social Security, Social Security Disability, Medicare and Medicaid. What we need to do is put a stop to the illegal immigrants and others who abuse and fradulently obtain these benefits! But we need not throw the baby out with the bath water. Many doctors are refusing to accept Medicare/ Medicaid patients here in Florida, as they are not getting properly compensated - and IF they do - its at a loss, and they're lucky to get even a paltry payment from 'Uncle Sam' withing 6-months or longer!
For the past year or so, my primary care physician and cardiologist has had a sign in his office that reads: "NOTICE: THIS OFFICE NO LONGER ACCEPTS MEDICARE OR MEDICAID." As he once told me, "Why should I give a $1800.00 stress test and only get reimbursed $20 from the government?"
As for military cuts, I'm not completely opposed to all of them, either. Frankly, I would shut down all military bases currently located in countries that don't want us there to begin with. We can start in the commie, Socialist, Muslum Satan-led ones. Shut down Gitmo and let Raul Castro have all the terrorists that are there now, and tell 'em, "Adios, we're outta here!" If they try to enter the US
Now, also in the recent fiscal cliff agreement reached by Obummer and Congress I do agree with:
- making permanent most of the Bush era tax cuts
- keeping the earned income and child care tax credits
- raising taxes on the wealthy (though, I would have preferred it start at those earning $250,000 a year or more).
I also agree with what the Daily Kos reported:
"On the plus side, the agreement abandoned the plan for “chained CPI,” a new measure of inflation that would have reduced future cost-of-living increases for Social Security, veterans' benefits and other critical benefits. There were no additional spending cuts. The family tax credit programs — including the Earned Income Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit — were protected, and improvements made to those credits were extended for five years. Emergency unemployment insurance benefits were extended for laid-off workers who would have faced a significant immediate threat if we went over the cliff." .
So, I am no longer a Republican, but an INDEPENDENT. I will now support individual(s) as opposed to a political party!"
He goes on to object to the payroll tax being increased back to 6.2% - but of course, if he's really a defender of Social Security he ought to see this is a GOOD thing, since it's the payroll tax that supports Social Security. Take that away (and the two year reduction already reduced S.S. coffers by over $170b as many piled into the system via disability claims leading to more payouts than money received in 2010) and you are looking at future budgetary allocations of monies to recipients which can vary year to year. Imagine the REEPO House voting on how much a senior will receive each year, like they just did with the Sandy victims - allowing only $9.7b in aid when they need $60b?
But given his overall positions (even admiting to reading Daily Kos - one of the top liberal blogs) maybe, just maybe, there is hope for the guy yet. Perhaps the next step will be ditching his obnoxious fundamentalism. I mean, Rome wasn't built in a day and neither is the "reconstruction" of a sibling back to relative normality!
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