Thursday, August 6, 2009

Do we really value our Soldiers?

September is right around the corner and sometimes I wonder if we will ever look back and be able to examine all our reactions more objectively!

It has been argued that comparing the military and law enforcement personnel benefits to the compensation the families received for attack on 9/11 is an unfair comparison. Some say it is apples to oranges.

Let's put it this way. The victim's families from 9/11 have received large sums of money for a horrible tragedy. For their loved ones being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Typically, families have prove wrongful death. They have to SUE. The families would have to SUE the United States claiming they could have prevented the attack and by all accounts that was not possible. It was an act of war, blind sided, all out terrorism and typically, families don't get paid for casualties of war. BUT, the United States did pay and Americans lovingly donated to these families and YET we be grudge the people who KNOWINGLY and WILLINGLY die for US.

Below is a piece by Rush Limbaugh the numbers are accurate from the time he wrote it. It does make you stop and think, at least it should!!!


By Rush Limbaugh, March, 2002

I think the vast differences in compensation between victims of the September 11 casualty and those who die serving our country in Uniform are profound. No one is really talking about it either, because you just don't criticize anything having to do with September 11. Well, I can't let the numbers pass by because it says something really disturbing about the entitlement mentality of this country. If you lost a family member in the September 11 attack, you're going to get an average of $1,185,000. The range is a minimum guarantee of$250,000, all the way up to $4.7 million.?If you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in action,the first check you get is a $6,000 direct death benefit, half of which is taxable.

Next, you get $1,750 for burial costs. If you are the surviving spouse, you get$833 a month until you remarry. And there's a payment of $211 per month for each child under 18. When the child hits 18, those payments come to screeching halt.

Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 million are complaining that it's not enough. Their deaths were tragic, but for most, they were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Soldiers put themselves in harms way FOR ALL OF US, and they and their families know the dangers. (Actually, soldiers are put in harms way by politicians and commanding officers.)

We also learned over the weekend that some of the victims from the Oklahoma City bombing have started an organization asking for the same deal that the September 11 families are getting. In addition to that, some of the families of those bombed in the embassies are now asking for compensation as well.

You see where this is going, don't you? Folks, this is part and parcel of over 50 years of entitlement politics in this country. It's just really sad.


I agree Mr. Limbaugh!
It really is SAD!

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Friday, May 22, 2009

Remember

As we are heading into this three day weekend, how many of us remember what it's for? It's intention is not to have a big picnic on the beach; although that's what many people seem to think.

It's not the "beginning of summer"; although that seems to be what it's come to mean.

It's not about just having a day off from work and getting paid for it; but I bet that's what the majority of people know.

No Memorial Day is a very special day. One that is no longer respected for what it truly is intended to do: commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.

Let's not forget these great men and women.

Let's not forget that there are people in our history (and even today) who laid down their lives so that we could have the freedoms we have. People who lay down their lives so that we can live our life day to day without the fear of attack from enemies or terrorist.

Please, let's not forget them. Don't let your young children let this holiday pass as just a day off from school. Take them to memorial parks; take them to decorated graveyards and show them how great these people were.

At the very least, don't let this day go by without a prayer of thanks for these great men and women. And don't let a day go by without giving back to those who serve in our military.

My greatest pleasure is going to the store, seeing a man dressed in uniform, and paying for that pack of gum he is buying. It's the LEAST I can do when he is keeping me safe at night.

Remember all those in the past, present, and future who strive to keep this country great!

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