Rep. Bachmann Takes Heat for Floating Idea of Cuts in Veterans’ Benefits
- Posted on February 1, 2011 at 11:49pm by
Meredith Jessup
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It‘s a widely held belief in Washington that the nation’s federal deficit is spiraling out of control. With a vote to once again raise the national debt “ceiling,” the U.S. once again faces some of the toughest questions: Are we really willing to make serious budget cuts in order to get our debts under control? Will anyone in Washington have the political will to make difficult cuts to popular programs?
Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., has (once again) become a political lightning rod for proposing to cut $4.5 billion from the federal budget in order to avoid raising the debt ceiling in March.
Bachmann has been hammered in the media for suggesting veterans’ benefits are one area that could see cuts. Specifically, her proposal (.pdf) would “cap increases in Department of Veterans Affairs health care spending” and “reduce Veterans’ Disability Compensation to account for Social Security Disability Insurance payments.”
Despite the cuts to the Department of Veterans Affairs accounting for just 1 percent of her total proposal, the news media seized on the headline and the leading story became less about the need to cut from the federal budget and more about Bachmann’s “outrageous” attack on veterans.
No one was available for comment when The Blaze reached out to Rep. Bachmann’s office, but the congresswoman’s communications director previously dismissed the criticism in an email to Fox News:
Reached for comment, Bachmann spokesman Doug Sachtleben told FoxNews.com in an e-mail that Bachmann is not pushing a “budget plan” and “has not introduced legislation to cut veterans benefits.”
“Congresswoman Bachmann is not advocating for veterans’ benefits to be abolished. She has always said that our nation must properly care for its heroes,” he said.
Rather, Sachtleben described the proposal as a “list of suggested cuts to open things up for discussion” on how to reduce the nation’s $14 trillion debt.
What began as a conversation-starter about cutting the federal budget across the board to avoid raising the ceiling became a front-page story claiming that Bachmann had a beef with our nation’s veterans.
Which brings me back to my original question: We all know we have a spending problem, but what are we willing to do about it? I’m not saying that we have to cut veterans benefits at all, but if a member of Congress can’t even get a conversation started about making cuts, what are the chances they’ll get made?
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Comments (158)
Married To A Teacher
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:50amNo one, in their right mind, would ask someone who served in the military in an active war theatre to reduce his (or her) benefits. HOWEVER, many many many of those who served did not see active duty. Many many many were never shot at. I have a client who served two years (playing baseball primarily) in the early 1950′s who now gets subsidized medical care. I have another client who served in the coastal artillery during WWII and boxed his way through the war and gets veterans benefits. I have another who gets disability pay from the “wound” he received while swimming in a pool. There is nothing to be cut in veteran’s benefits? My grandfather served in the army corps of engineers. Should he get the same benefits as those who took shrapnel or risked that by carrying a gun in hostile territory? Can we not even look at veteran’s benefits without everyone rolling out the story of the heroes who gave their lives or limbs or mental health for us? I would say that is not the story for all veterans, and therefore not all veterans deserve all of the benefits available…
Report Post »6268navyvet
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 6:45amAnd how long did you serve your country in the military??
Report Post »bread and circuses
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:42am@MARRIED TO A TEACHER
Report Post »6268NAVYVET has a valid question, I’m fairly certain of your reply if you choose to be honest, which is doubtful
ONLY the miltary requires firearms training for ALL enlistees
NOT EVEN police depts require it
A military enlistee joins knowing that he/she may be required to give their life for our country, whether that happens is upto command, NOT the enlistee
EVERY veteran has earned the right to be honored by the nation
Bachmann wants to “adjust” SS for vet benefits, i.e. REDUCE payments to vets.
Your memory may be too short, but vets took a substantial benefit cut in the 1980s without complaint
STOP whining about vet’s benefits and start cutting the benefits the leeches get
Patriot Momma
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:50pmThose who served on Active Duty do have benefits that Reservists don’t, please bone up on what is available to who before posting such a response about something you seem to know very little about. Her cuts of disability pay effect those who are disabled enough to qualify for Social Security Disability which means they are very ill. These Disabled Veterans continue to sacrifice for their service every day as do their families. She isn’t talking about reducing waste or fraud in the system, she’s talking about effecting those that have paid a hell of a price for their country. Her cuts would put most of these families below the poverty line. Is that the way we repay those who have given us so much? You have no idea the hoops our Veterans jump through to get the care they deserve, you knowing someone who gets something you believe they shouldn‘t doesn’t mean that these cuts would not hurt disabled Veterans and their families that have truly earned what they get.
Report Post »becca_leigh
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:49amWe all know that the cuts need to be widespread. I find it very telling that she doesn‘t propose any cuts to Congress’ pay or benefits, just a temporary “freeze” (gee, where have I heard that before??) and federal employees will now have to fly coach. That’s absolutely laughable that those are her idea of cuts for the people that spent our money!! But it’s a slap in the face to all veterans and sends a disturbing message to our active duty troops that their benefits are on the table with at least one Congresswoman more than willing to cut them!! My dad served for 22 yrs and if we can convince him to retire from his second career in defense contracting (he just loves the military…can’t keep him away!!) when he turns 65 in 4 yrs, it‘s not as if there’s extra money laying around in an account somewhere to compensate for that!! Lord knows that if you want to be wealthy, don’t join the military where a high ranking officer makes maybe half of what Congress does!!! She’s been telling everyone that her office went line-by-line and found all kinds of cuts, yet this was the best she could do?? That‘s downright offensive and she’s lost my support for behaving like every other politician! Congress needs to start by showing that they will sacrifice before any other cuts are made. But it‘s sickening that she wouldn’t touch the bloated pay of federal employees and thought it was better to put the burden on the backs of our veterans. At least she showed her true colors now!!! And she might want to stay clear of Hampton Roads unless she wants to deal with 7 cities of angry people because we look out for our troops and veterans like they’re family!!!
Report Post »flyguync
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:44amAs a retired military veteran I would actually take a cut in my benefits if I thought it would take some of the future debt load from our children. It seems like every time they cut one area, they find a way to spend it elsewhere.
Report Post »becca_leigh
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:53amEven if you never said you were a veteran, it’s obvious in your selfless attitude. Veterans have served us when others wouldn’t dare be inconvenienced and I actually had commented earlier that I would rather them take more from me so that I can be sure that my parents and others like them are taken care of. I see it as the least I can do!! You earned your benefits and you deserve them.
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:25am@foolsgold
I’m sick to bloody death of listening to you and people like you.
I’ll spare the details, because we’ve all heard what liberals have to say, and you’ve heard our side. You make your own choices, and that’s okay. We have made ours.
I used to be liberal. Over time, getting away from people like you, I came to one conclusion about you. Of course you’ll debate it. Hell, liberals critique Dr. Seuss ‘according to Marx’.
You won’t like this but, realistically, what useful purpose in the greater scheme do liberals serve? Tell us all, liberals, what are you worth? And no–I won’t allow you to reverse the question so you can dodge a genuine answer.
Of yourselves, you liberals, what purpose do YOU serve?
Report Post »foolsgold
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:57amAmazing how “democratic” the far right wing becknation is when they tell liberals to shut up for telling the truth.
You’d be a a police state like Russia if it wasnt for liberals exposing things that matter — like illegal wiretapping of citizens, illegal kidnappings and renditions, waterboarding torture etc etc.
Just a sample:
No slavery – liberals
Civil rights – liberals
Free speech – liberals (vs Mcarthy/Beck)
Social security — liberals
Food stamps — liberals
Medicare — liberals
Medicaid – liberals
man on moon — liberals
etc etc etc etc etc etc etc
The Recession, housing mess & huge deficit – far right wing GOP (Bush inherited a surplus from Clinton)
Report Post »WMD in Iraq — far right wing GOP
Watching your house burn down coz u didnt pay your $75 tax to the local fire station — GOP-inspired
etc etc
etc etc
becca_leigh
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 6:25amfoolsass….Republicans ended slavery
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:09amI just love how Liberals try to rewrite History.
No slavery – liberals (Southern Democrats fought against ending slavery)
Civil rights – liberals (Democrats voted against the Civil Rights Bill)
Free speech – liberals (Liberals are all for Fairness Doctrine if it shuts up Conservative talk radio)
Social security — liberals (A failed Ponsi scheme)
Food stamps — liberals (Welfare for lazy Liberals)
Medicare — liberals (Another failed Ponsi Scheme)
Medicaid – liberals (More welfare for lazy Liberals)
And I see you didn’t forget the biggest lie Liberals like to believe. There was no surplus from Clinton (if there was it’s because Republicans ran congress and balanced the budget so Bill could decimate the office of the President).
The Recession, housing mess & huge deficit – far right wing GOP (Bush inherited a surplus from Clinton)
Liberals have run Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae from the beginning, throw in Barney Frank and there is your HOUSING MESS.
Report Post »asybot12
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:16amFor some reason about Saddam not having WMD’s leaves me kind of speechless. He used chemical and nerve gas against villages in Northern Iraq, used the same program in South Eastern Iraq during the 8 year war against Iran displaced that area peoples, destroyed the environment in the same region so that one of the largest wetland areas in the world barely survived. I think WMD”s do not apply to humans alone the word WMD implies destruction of everything. In that Saddam needed to be removed
Report Post »foolsgold
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 3:02amDude, really: where are the WMD?? Like the nuclear weapons W said he had.
WMD: That was the ENTIRE rationale for the iraq war. The US looked like IDIOTS for lying to the world. Now all you have is a rampant Iran because no noone believes the US anymore thanks to Ws lies.
NO WMD = LIAR = JAIL
The buck stopped with W. Just like it stops with O.
Report Post »Iceman2012
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:10amOh, and also BTW, when I signed up it wasn’t for a lot of perks…but they did tell me if I did my 20 I AND my family would get free healthcare and a small pension. NOT…people may think we get freebies but they lied to us and we have to pay for our plans. And recently the CBO stated that Military folks have comparable pay to their civilian counterparts…last time I checked their weren’t any civilians geared up and being shot and killed on a daily basis…except for our Police, firefighters, etc.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 11:42amwrong – go find out how much they are paying Blackwater – since they aren’t US military – they must be civilians – mercernaries.
Report Post »SWCC Chief
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:05amI truely belive if the government ASKED veterans to give up money and or benifits to rescue our way of life 90% would roger up and volunteer again. The rest of the people living off and employed by the government need to do the same. Yes I am a VET. However, I do belive there needs to be iron clad rules that guarentee pay off of all national debt.
Report Post »Patriot Momma
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:41pmSome Disabled Veterans are unable to sign up and sacrifice for their country again.
Report Post »She is talking about cutting the benefits of those who are disabled enough to qualify for Social Security, there are only 150,000 of them. It would put many of these Vet families below the poverty line. Is that something any Veteran would get behind? Most of the spouses of these Veterans care for these Vets full time. I am one of those spouses. My husband’s lungs are damaged, he sacrifices everyday for this country by just breathing. To ask us to lose our modest home and have to move in with relatives which is what would happen if her cut goes forward is too much. She should have met with Veterans who are in this category before proposing something like this… She went to far. She has even refused the offer to the Veterans organizations put forward to come and go to the VA in MN and meet with disabled Veterans. What on earth is she thinking? This is not something the Tea Party would support. There are an awful lot of things we could cut than make even more Disabled Veterans homeless.
the iceman
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:04amHow about cutting ALL foreign aid!!!
Report Post »Iceman2012
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:04amI spent 24 yrs in the Military, been blown up twice, shot once, collapsed, lungs, ribs broken 5 times, thermal burns in both eyes, shrapnel wounds, more stitches than I can count, etc…and anyone who would have the ba^Ls to try to take or cut anything from me…well, come and get it. U won’t like the results. I would love some of these “Diplomats” to wear/walk in one of our Vet’s shoes for only a week or two. Maybe spend a few months or year or two away from Family and friends. If they want 2 cut somewhere…cut the freebies 2 the countless freeloaders including Congress….
Report Post »RLTW
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:00amAlright Michele I like you but, as a retired vet why oh why would you come after the 1.7%(oh that’s all living vets) of the US population who have paid blood sweat and tears for all that’s American while a much larger % refuses to contribute?
I almost hope you people keep pushing US.
Report Post »BoilitDown
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:58amAs a vet who has not been able to access what is due me, I‘d like a restructuring of veteran’s benefits so that they work as they should. Cuts are absolutely not on the table, without first fixing the system. I‘ve been screwed and I’m too old to fight it now I think. I don’t want to see those who had to do more than me in the service shorted on their benefits.
Report Post »SWCC Chief
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:55amI am a veteran I don’t mind a cut if they pay off the debt. My concern is they always ask for more more more and the debt increases. I say cut everything across the board 10% everyone shares equally the pain of government mistakes
Report Post »KingdomCome
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:48amUpstateNYConservative I agree .I am a Vet as well, priority 7 and have no problem with cuts as long as we take care of those more worthy. I have an Honorable Discharge.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:33amI like Beck’s idea better!
All active duty and vets get the same salary and healthcare as congress does!
Bachmann just cut her own throat. With all the fat there is to cut, waste, fraud, unfunded entitlements, and money going overseas, she is dumb as a rock to even suggest we cut back on our heros. We ought to start by cutting her salary and healthcare!
Report Post »Lana40
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:42amYou are the kind of person that made this country so great. (although, Lord help us…some are doing all they can to destroy it.) We all need to give a little bit. It won’t kill us to stop belly-aching and start doing the hard things that is going to make us stronger for it. I’m w/ ya :)
Report Post »azmomof6
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:03amI don‘t want veteran’s bennifits cut at all. I have to wonder though, did any of you read the article or are you falling for the liberal “hate Michelle and discount her for president” ploy? We should leave vetran’s bennifits alone which was 1% of her budget cut proposal, but we should focus on the other 99% of government waste she wants to cut.
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 11:38amDon’t be foolish. Someone truly needs to check out what you think Congress gets in health care. Active duty military should receive free total health care, Vets that are disabled should receive total health care and from the best health care providers, not foreigners some of which speak only broken English, now some *** wants to diminish Vet retirement pensions by their SS that they were forced to pay into? do they take civilian retired pay and diminish the amount by the ss they get?
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:23amI’m a military veteran. If I need a prescription, I have an $8 co-pay. If the Feds do a cut, and I then have to pay $24 for the same thing, I’m in. Without complaint.
My benefits are a gift from the American people, for which I’m grateful. I am not owed. I am am gifted, and thankful to you fellow Citizens.
Again, if there are cuts (which I want across the board), I’ll pay the difference without complaint.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:35amMy benefits are a gift from the American people, for which I’m grateful. I am not owed. I am am gifted, and thankful to you fellow Citizens.
—-
Report Post »WRONG
Your benefits are the duty of American people, for which we are grateful to you.
We can never thank you enough ever but
THANK YOU
KingdomCome
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:44amI’m a Vet as well. I agree. I’m priority 7 and have no problem with taking care of those who have done more. I never saw combat. Those who have should be taken care of without question.
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:49amI too am a Veteran, my thought on this is I am willing to pitch in, as long as they go across the board and make all parts of entitlements/depts pitch in. The problem is they want one group to give, so they can pony up to someone else.
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:50amA gift for a gift. Thank you all.
Report Post »Rational Man
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:55amYour talking about being willing to pay three times as much for your perscription, 24.00.
I wonder what three times as much for prosthetics is? Or long term care? Long hospital visits? Major surgery? Physical therapy? How much should we cut disability? Two thirds less than it is?
I thank you for your service and I’m glad you are doing better than so many others are!
Report Post »I disagree with you though. I think you and all vets ARE owed better than what many receive. It’s not a gift!!! It’s payback. It should be fair compensation. And not near as much as a bunch of lazy union pinheads get for helping to bankrupt the country! Or all the worthless politicians averaging well over 100,000.00 a year!…….All of you deserve what you get and more!!!!!!!!!!
UpstateNYConservative
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:59am@cheezwhiz
Thank you even more. You, and others at home, kept our backs.
Those at home, with their letters, sustained the troops abroad.
Children, in schools, write letters to men they don’t know and wish them well.
Thank YOU, for letting us always remember a good thing we tried to do, for going with our hearts.
Liberals never do that. Liberals are just…useless, in the greater scheme of things.
Thank you again! Citizens like you are the reason it’s worth taking up arms in the military.
Report Post »foolsgold
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:16amWe are in this mess because Bush lied about WMD….BILLIONS still being spent/wasted on Iraq when US citizens need that money.
But isnt it amazing how the Tea Baggers want government cuts, EXCEPT when it affects THEM!!
Watch this space: the Tea Baggers will be thrown out in 2012 for reneging on their “promises”
This is gonna get real funny….
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:52amFOOL…You need to go to the Hospital right away, you are obviously still suffering from Bush Derangement Syndrome and it sounds like it’s getting worse. Just imagine if Bush had shoved the country in the hole by 3.4 Trillion in just 2 years. Hell it took him probably 5 years to spend as much taxpayer money as Obama has in just 2.
Report Post »Loki20
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:13amWe need to stop ALL FOREIGN AID and start worrying about America. Rand Paul was right, why should we borrow money from China at interest to hand out to countries like Egypt, Israel and Africa?
Report Post »Eblaze44
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 11:23amso glad to find out that Africa is a country!!
Report Post »WalterSobchak
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:11amI’m glad the liberals pushed back on that issue. It just means more cuts to their pet programs.
Report Post »PITMASTER
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:11amWhy would Democrats complain about cutting Veterans benefits? They hate the military, they hate the mission, they loathe their very existence. I’m sure there is enough waste in any department in the government to amount to great savings. But, I’d offer up a great way to see Democrats squirm like a maggot in hot ashes; tie the vote to increase the debt ceiling to the repeal of Obamacare. Hmmm, that would be a real quandary for those SOB’s. Shut down the government because we can’t spend anymore OR do away with healthcare? That would be fun to watch.
Report Post »MR.CONSERVATIVENEGRO
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:18am@Pitmaster….Dude, stop making sense. Shutting down the Gov’t means the slimy bastards would have nothing to do…OOps, didn’t mean to offend slimy bastards.
Report Post »Okieflyover
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:27amUnless we goback at least 2 years in the baseline of our budget, nothing else should matter. No line item should even be discussed.
If you haven’t noticed, it appears that much of what was in TARP and the Stimulus have now become integrated in our budget. Not one time expenses. They are in the baseline and as the baseline grows by its standard 10 percent every year, our budget becomes more and more unsustainable.
So imagine you were broke in 2008 and you decided to go out and buy a new house and a new car and buy some things on credit cards. Instead of selling the house and the car and paying off the credit cards, you just doubled down in 2010 and remodeled the house, traded the car in for a new one and put some clothes on a credit card. That is what we did.
Bush should have explained to the country that the spending for the war was a one time short team deal. The Republicans should have taken control of the stimulus spending or oversight or on the news every day explaining how we wasted a trillion dollars on the stimulus bill.
Report Post »taebaggranny
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:03am@ PITMASTER They are going to shout because it’s a conservative suggesting the cuts..They STILL DON‘T GIVE A RAT’S PAHTOOT ABOUT OUR MILITARY!!! I agree she should have started with a better place to cut, but they have to start talking about it somewhere…E-Mail your list of cuts to your Senator and Rep..
Report Post »WHITE LOTUS2x
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:11amThey could all start by cutting their own payroll and cut their health care down too. Ifits good enough for a Vet it should be good enough for them.
Report Post »foolsgold
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:20amAgreed! The GOP are a bunch of hypocrites!!
They and the new Tea Baggers from 2010 gladly took government healthcare when telling everyone else it was SOCIALISM!!
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:27pm..and cut the biggest welfare check, ever, to their ultra rich best buds.
Report Post »MR.CONSERVATIVENEGRO
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:09amI am a three times deployed veteran. I was promised, even gauranteed that If I stoodfast and sacraficed my time(20 Years), and risk my life in time of Americas military needs; that I would be compensated for my service. I did all of the above…Hmmm, but apparently my country is asking me to sacrafice some more, despite my shrapnel ladened leg, and some reminicent, nightmarish memories and dreams…Wow…I’m torn, but thats Gov’t. and one should never, ever depend on Gov’t..thank God I do not!!
Report Post »foolsgold
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:18amYou risked your life, sadly, for a WMD lie in Iraq and many perished there because of that lie.
Why wasnt Bush prosecuted for lying to the nation? NO WMD = LIAR
Thank you for your service though. God bless.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:31amGod bless you, and thank you for your service and your sacrifice. I, for one, will not EVER tolerate any cuts to Veterans. Having said this, I am sure, as with any government run program, the VA is rife with waste and corruption. This is the areas I believe the Congresswoman was referring to. The care given to our veterans could be much better if it were more streamlined and not so loaded with the typical federal bureaucratic red tape and massive waste.
Report Post »I wish you nothing but the best and a happy fulfilling prosperous life.
Semper Fi.
theCREATORisGOD
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:36amYou are a FOOL foolsgold. You do realize that it was inaccurate cia intelligence that was presented to the bush administration AND CONGRESS, it wasn’t Bush sitting in his office conspiring lies to feed to members of congress. To sit there and say, or type rather, those things to an honored United States vet who has sacrificed his leg and peace of mind for your safety is embarrassing and disgusting. You should have thanked him for his service and left it at that, you ignorant fool.
THANK YOU MR.CONSERVATIVE and God bless you and your family. Your reward is in heaven and your service IS APPRECIATED by 99% of Americans. You are a hero in my eyes.
Report Post »foolsgold
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 3:09am@creator
Now if O said lets invade XYZ country because they had WMD and it turned out be be a lie, even if he based it on the CIA input, you would want him impeached for that.
W lied, Cheney wanted the intelligence to show WMD — I think this is now all documented and debating it is futile and shows ignorance of the facts: BUSH LIED about WMD, simply to “avenge” the attack on his papa years before.
NO WMDs — waste of money, becknation!!!
Report Post »phil1765
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 4:46amfoolsgold, Damn dude get off of the Bush thing you moron. How exactly do you think Saddam gassed the Iranians and the Kurds? Chemical weapons are WMD, and he did have them, where they went (best guess Syria) is still a mystery. You blame GB but congress voted to go into Iraq also are you passing that blame around to all of the Dems serving in congress at the time or are you so narrow-minded that all you can do is spout total BS that you hear on the Dem/socialist media outlets. Bush has been out of office for over 2 years now, get some new lines already or sthu.
Report Post »6268navyvet
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 6:27amThese idiot’s dont think about the time your away from family.the money you were paid compared to the privite sector.In 1962 i was making 87.50 per month.just saying…..
Report Post »tifosa
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:37amCEMOTO78, there was no mention of “fraud and waste.” She talked about cutting veteran’s benefits by $400billion including by freezing VA dept health care spending and cutting veterans’ disability benefits. There are articles in The AirForceTimes and MarineCorpsTime online which have been out for days.
Report Post »WAR PIGS CRAWLING
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:07amI’m sure the Legislators will lead by example…
Report Post »Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 11:59pm“Everyone needs skin in the game” BHO
Report Post »We need to take care of our Veterns, they gave and are still giving a lot for this country. But do we start with people that sacrificed for this country, or is there pork we can cut first. How about abolishing all foriegn aid, Dept of Education, all subsidies to all buisness and farms. Start with congressional and Presidential goodies and then, maybe look at the VA. This is like when cities threaten the first cuts will be with the police and firemen, in Colorado Springs the voters called their bluff, they decided to turn off 1/3 of the street lights and stop putting trash cans in the parks. The police and firemen are still working and the city found some fat to cut. Federal Govt is the same, hey here is an idea, give back some of the federal park land to the states, there is some money we don’t have to spend cleaning up after Yogi and Boo Boo.
cheezwhiz
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:16am“Everyone needs skin in the game” BHO
Report Post »-
OK how about this :
No more parties @ WH . None.
Starting now.
And Moochelle’s staff needs to go. All of them.
She don’t need no staff to be so hedious and mean, she can manage that herself.
PlanetXenu
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:09amfirst of all, I don’t think Yogi and Boo are the ones needing to be picked up after. second, cutting anything that will cause companies and businesses to lose money will get people laid off, that was the threat that was given to the american people when they were in fear of loosing the tax-cuts. I know that for some reason you think theses people care about you, but they don’t which is why lobbyists exist in the first place. sorry for the reality check, but this isn’t mayberry.
:)
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 11:59pmlets cut public employees benefits and all subsidies ie public radio-planned parenthood-arts- etc then we can talk!
Report Post »MR.CONSERVATIVENEGRO
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:15am@oldguy49…You tell’em brotha
Report Post »foolsgold
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:23amYeh. So lets explore your logic:
Lets dump social security, medicaid, medicare, veterans benefits, food stamps, bus and train transport subsidies, etc etc .etc
Who cares if its then gonna bankrupt/kill you — as long as its not socialism!!!
Cut cut cut cut
Report Post »UpstateNYConservative
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:06am@foolsgold
What part of ‘we’re broke‘ aren’t you getting?
Do YOU really believe this make-believe panacea can go on forever?
Criminy–liberals are so useless in the world!
Here’s an idea for you: How about you are taxed 95% of your personal income to pay for your dream. Will that sit with you, will you be happy? For every $10 an hour you make, you‘re ’allowed’ to keep 50 cents. How’s that going to work for you?
You liberals–you’re useless. Want to cut carbon output? I can tell you how. But you won’t like it.
Report Post »komponist-ZAH
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:59am@Fool–
Let’s see: “public employees benefits and all subsidies ie public radio-planned parenthood-arts- etc” (OldGuy). How does this equate to “social security, medicaid, medicare, veterans benefits, food stamps” (Fool)?
Hmmmmm….
Report Post »foolsgold
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:14am@zah
> How does this equate to “social security, medicaid, medicare, veterans benefits, food stamps” (Fool)?
CUT CUT CUT CUT — isnt that the Tea Party battlecry?
Methinks you all going to be crying if any of these are cut. Hypocrites!!!
Report Post »Blackhawk1
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 9:40amSounds like your the one crying! Must be one of the nanny staters.
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:37pm@UPSTATENYCONSERVATIVE
Report Post »We were broke when 43 decided to spend billions on 2 foolish unwinable wars – where was your outcry then? We were broke when Reagan tripled the size of the federal government and spent billions on a foolish unworkable space defense system (Star Wars) – yet he remains the Golden Boy of the right. How does that math work?
pavnvet
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 5:52pmAs a totally disabled veteran who receives social security disability, naturally I would not want my benefits to be cut. Before becoming totally disabled, I enjoyed an income of well over $100,000 per year. I now live on much less.
However, I also realize that we can’t just keep going in the same direction as we are. Everyone says, yes we need cuts, but don’t look at me. If the Federal Government were to cut foreign aide, the federal workforce and pay, eliminate pork barrel spending, reduce food stamps and other welfare programs, reduce education spending and the myriad of other things that are draining our treasury, yes, I too would expect a cut.
Obviously, Miss Bachman’s ideas were not well thought out. VA disability is compensation for permanent injury or illness suffered by a military man or woman during the time that person served our country. For that reason, it is not taxable. Social security on the other hand is income and is taxable (subject to certain rules and exemptions). They are two completely separate programs. It would be akin of cutting social security by the amount of pension one would receive.
There was a lot of ranting and raving regarding this on Veterans web sites. I choose to refrain as anyone, with any common sense, would know there was no juice in this orange. It was and will be a non starter, unless there comes total reform of Government spending.
Report Post »cheezwhiz
Posted on February 1, 2011 at 11:58pmHere it is boys and girls :
Report Post »CUT WELFARE AND FOOD STAMPS AND WIC AND FREE HOUSING AND FREE MEDICAL AND FREE EDUCATION AND FREE COLLEGE AND FREE JAIL AND FREE PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND FREE DRUG REHAB AND FREE ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING FOR EVERYBODY WHO DOES NOT WORK.
SPECIALLY FOR ILLEGALS AND ANCHOR BABIES.
Intellectual Honesty
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:12amHer presidential bid just failed.
Report Post »MR.CONSERVATIVENEGRO
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:13am@cheezwhiz…You are spot on my freind…Thank You!
Report Post »theCREATORisGOD
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:30amYou are spot on cheez. I just have a real problem cutting ANY MONEY for those that pledge their LIFE to DEFEND this country, the ones that keep us safe and keep terror off our soil should NOT have to see ANY of their benefits reduced. Cut every other program, housing, welfare, wic, public defenders, medicaid, foreign aid, etc…just don’t take away what rightfully belongs to our veterans. They are the one group that deserves it all….not the illegals and their babies.
Report Post »Cemoto78
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:38amHow about a 2 year freeze on all foreign aid, get out of the UN, get our military out of Europe and bring them home, close all non-essential foreign bases, cut the entitlement programs, secure the borders, quit subsidizing ethanol, start drilling for oil in America, build more nuclear power plants and oil refineries, lower the corporate taxes to encourage manufacturing here, and revamp the income tax codes in favor of the fair tax. And most of all, vote the progressives out of office.
Wayner
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:44amWhere do we get the billions we hand out to foreign countries to “buy” their friendship?
Report Post »taebaggranny
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:53am@ CHEEZWHIZ I hope you have gone on UCUT and made those suggestions…I personally E-Mail my senators and Rep and have listed all those things and more besides..Maybe if we all flood them with lists of cuts that are real CUTS they will get the message..(We can hope!!)
Report Post »KenInIL
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:00amI’m definitely not for cutting medical benefits for the military. What they have now is pretty poor as it is. My dad would not even use them because of their inconvenience and he lived in Chicago metro. Service really sucks when you live in the boonies.
However, the idea that you can retire after 20 or 30 years and sit on your ass for the rest of your years bugs the H out of me. I have no problem with anyone getting a good retirement when the turn 62, but not 39. Most get another job an live pretty high. Note I am not including vets disabled in any fashion in this group.
Report Post »azmomof6
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:19amI can’t tell if those are actual cuts that she suggested or not. It said the bill would cap increases and adjust pensions to compensate for social security benefits. I don’t want to stick it to those who have done so much for our country. Maybe we need clarification of the bottom line here. On a good note, that was only 1% of where she found to save. Since they didn’t complain a whole lot about the other cuts, they probably make sense. At least she’s trying to stop the bleeding and maybe even put a band-aid on it. Everyone wants some obviously useless to everyone place to make cuts with an all in one grand fix. It’s not going to work that way. She’s looking for ways to cut spending everywhere… just like we do our personal budgets. Two obvious places to cut first, are aid of any sort to illegal aliens and their children and foreign aid. While I believe highly in charity, this is not the way it should be done (going into debt to help the needy). We have to have our own house in order before we can repair others’. Also, for those Americans (only) who are having a hard time finding work, I think we should continue to help with food. However, the amount of assistance ought to be cut in half or more. Recently, I found out how much money they get for food and it’s about four times the amount my family uses. Furthermore, I recently found out that people who do not pay taxes (due to not working enough or at all), get a tax return. That‘s one of the most absurd things I’ve heard! How can you possibly have something returned to you that you never gave in the first place? Our family pays more than we have to and then has some of it returned after we file our taxes. Does our government know what the word “return” means? And what about all the waste at the White House parties? Why put on a facade of wealth when we are in debt. Let’s start with these super- obvious places before we even think about cutting for our beloved veterans.
Report Post »TruthTalker
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:37amamazing there is no free for me. or anyone I know…..
Report Post »mossbrain
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:41amLet’s make all those getting unemployment payouts pay it back. It should be a loan, a high interest loan, not a handout. No free childbirth hospital care for all the freeloading single moms. These leaches of society need to have their bastard babies at their parents homes, that or out by the dipsy dumpsters.
Do you know we spend more money on care of retards than we do on our national highway system. Palin better not be accepting one penny of government money for her kids ****** baby. Keep your retards at home. There is no need to have them out in public.
Cut out the freeloading of Doctors. I’d sure like to see the billing statements of Ron Paul. If he was a cataract surgeon he probably got 99% of his income from the government. Anyone had cataract surgery? Notice how these creeps try and get more money out of you, just like a fast food joint, “Would you like to super size your cataract surgery with a premium intraocular lens?” They bundle all sorts of unnecessary procedures to get extra money. Let’s get goverment completely out of medicine.
pamela kay
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:41amCHEEZWHIZ, Yup! I think the last thing that should ever be cut is anything that has to do with our military. Period. In fact I think that they should recieve the highest pay if they are sent in harms way and if they are injured they should recieve the best care available. God bless our ttroups!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:51amI say eliminate the Department of Education, the Department of Energy, fire Czars, eliminate the Department of Commerce, reduce welfare, freeze unspent funds of Stimulus I and II, reduce Congressional salaries, defund NPR, defund ACORN or whaever they call themselves now, stop overseas aid or at least reduce it, AUDIT the FED, INVESTIGATE THE COURT MARTIAL OF LT. COL. TERRY LAKIN, limit out-of-country travel for Obama, elimninate out-of-country travel for Obama family, defund the liquor supply, defund regulators, and STOP SPENDING!
Report Post »Showtime
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:56amAnd, cut federal employees’ pay to be commensurate with that of the private sector.
Report Post »nomatter732666
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:07amSo true cheeese so true
Report Post »nomatter732666
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:08amSo True Cheese so true
Report Post »GONESURFING
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 2:50amSounds good to me.
Report Post »tierrah
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 4:20am@Cheezwhiz: My sentiments exactly!!! I also would love to see drastic cuts to the retirement and health benefits now being provided for our government officials. I mean, is it really necessary to give Jimmy Carter $400,000 per year PLUS spend all that money to provide security for him? Who in his right mind considers Carter a potential political target? And has he really earned that much retirement for life? I read everyone‘s gripe about SS benefits being paid to baby boomers who will collect more than they paid in and that’s the first thing they want to cut or abolish. I think our government “elite” should take first stage when it comes to cuts on retirement and health benefits. How much have they contributed to what they are receiving? Zilch … Nada … Zero!
Report Post »ccdwKYmom
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 5:38amAmen, Amen, Amen, Amen!!!!!!
Report Post »Bengal68
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 5:42amThat would clear up 90% of our budget problems. The last 10% would be to cut ALL politically appointed jobs. Such as assistants to the assistants and all agencies who do nothing at all. And if there is going to be Obamacare all politicians must enroll. no exceptions. They are hear to serve us not drain us financially.
Report Post »nptden
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 6:12amBachman would be better to investigate the abuses Vets have in the system….Care is insane. The govt hires foreigners mainly as doctors, nurses and care givers.. WHY?…they are incapable, unable to relate to Americans. Yet they promote hiring of Jamaicans, Haitians before American citizens.
Report Post »Why is this so?…Why do they have different policies for hiring?…I believe why, is it is a route of ‘infiltration’ by the NWO people…the lefties…to further infiltrate our country….Just look at all the doctors, from countries that we are at odds with….Why?…Do they get hired by our VA system?…Now guess what?…they want to control pharmaceuticals….Vets have been guinea pigs for years…Wake up America…they have infiltrated our system.
Cdmfl
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 6:35amI hear you & agree 100% . Bachman just blew her chance.
Report Post »Veteran’s have already paid. More then most people will ever know!
JayCee
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 6:46amand SSI for bogus disabilities.
Report Post »bread and circuses
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:39amCHEEZWIZ has it right !!!
Report Post »Start with the worthless agencies, welfare leeches and illegal pampering.
bread and circuses
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:49amFOOLSGOLD is a hufPOS troll on welfare and medicaid, send IT out to pick tomatoes or better yet, put IT on the southern border with a surveyor’s mark on ITS chest
Report Post »bread and circuses
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 7:56amBachmann has not only lost my support but has gained my active opposition after she suggested cutting veterans’ benefits. The men and women who have voluntarily risked their lives in defense of our country should be the last group whose benefits need to be cut.
Bachmann, start with cutting the benefits and pay of the bureaucrats, government unions, and eliminating useless and interfering agencies before you try to balance the budget on the backs of veterans.
March 2010
Obama’s proposal for veterans to carry private health insurance for service connected injuries
“Look, it’s an all volunteer force,” Obama complained.
“Nobody made these guys go to war. They had to
have known and accepted the risks. Now they
whine about bearing the costs of their choice?
It doesn’t compute..“ ”I thought these were
people who were proud to sacrifice for their
country, “Obama continued ”I wasn’t asking
for blood, just money. With the country facing
the worst financial crisis in its history, I’d
have thought that the patriotic thing to do would be
to try to help reduce the nation’s deficit. I guess I underestimated the
selfishness of some of my fellow Americans.”
Bachmann appears to agree with obama
Report Post »Thecableguy
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:03amHow about cut Legislators pay, let pay them base on how much money they save us.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:04amCut cable,free medical,free dental,free legal,and free library in the prisons. Replace it with cable,medical,dental and legal for inmates who help the guard maintain the prisons. Getting rid of the million dollars injection and replace it with a .50 cent bullet.Cut all funding to groups like planned Parenthood. Cut the Federal agencies who have circumvented the congress to inforce unconstitutional laws and regulations on the people. Just for a starter.
Report Post »OUTRIDER WRITER
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:11amWITH A SINGLE, VERY UNWISE PROPOSAL, Bachmann has just SHOT HERSELF IN THE FOOT. The proposal is so shortsighted that she just convinced me to dismiss her as a candidate who could win a nomination. The proposal–and any lame attempt to clarify–WILL HAUNT HER FOREVER. Another “I AM NOT A WITCH” deathblow.
Report Post »rfycom
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 8:57amSounds good cheezwhiz unless you fall on hard times and need help. Have you ever been to a 3rd world country? Yes I know there is abuse in these government run programs. but I support them. In that mess of failed bureaucracy there are many people who deserve the help. Seems like something Jesus would support. I would rather see social security cut from rich people. I would rater see taxes raised on rich people. Seems like something Jesus would support. I just have a hard time believing that Mr. Jesus would be a republican.
Report Post »GODSAMERICA
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 10:00amCheezwhiz – you are right on with your post. The primary function of the Federal Government is to secure our borders and to keep us safe from enemies within AND enemies without. All they have to do is eliminate ALL programs, departments, require the Congress and any other government employee to have the same kind of medical care and benefits and whatever else they have that they were not given in the original Constitution, that way they would have more than enough money to support our troops and our veterans with the absolute best care which they deserve. That would also free up more than enough money to lower our taxes to a level that would allow us to be able to afford living without stealing the majority of our money.
Report Post »middleclassprophet
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 12:19pm-cheezwhiz-
I think you should tell the GOP to run on that. lol
Report Post »SimpleTruths
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:23pmGood ideas, especially if you are enjoying the riot scenes from Egypt right now.
Report Post »Derfel Cadarn
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 1:32pmYou are a moron the fact that this country is going broke means that there are no sacred cows anywhere in government. There has been no war fought by this country other than the Revolution that had any bearing upon our freedoms. The military and those deluded enough to fight for it have convinced themselves that some how we owe them something let me point out that you are wrong. If you wish to fight in illegal wars then that is done on your dime I did not ask for it so I do not owe you anything
Report Post »bread and circuses
Posted on February 2, 2011 at 3:42pm@RFYCOM
Report Post »Mr Jesus is a mexican border jumper, Jesus Christ is NOT
why do you think that it’s ok to tax the rich more than you, since you don’t pay any taxes.
Is your welfare check and food stamp card late ?