Somthing to think about

marvinkwagner

Not a Member
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 just 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.......





However; if you are a surviving family member of an American soldier killed in
action, the first check you get is a big $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 a 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. But our military men allow themselves to be put in harm's way FOR ALL OF US , and they and their families know the dangers.... ( a willing sacrifice....)





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 do 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. Every time a pay raise comes up for the military, they usually receive next to nothing of a raise. Now the green machine is in combat in the Middle East, while their families have to sur vive on food s tamps and live in low-rent housing . Make any sense?





However, our own Congress voted themselves a raise. Many of you don't know that they only have to be in Congress one time to receive a pension that is more than $15,000 per month! ( And most are now equal to being millionaires plus.) They do not receive Social Security on retirement, because they didn't have to pa y into the system.





If some of the military people stay in for 20 years and get out as an E-7, they may receive a pension of $1,000 per month, while the very people who placed them in harm's way receives a pension of $15,000 per month............





I would like to see our elected officials pick up a weapon and join ranks, before they start cutting out more benefits
and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now fighting!





When do we finally do something about this? If this doesn't seem fair to you, it is time to forward this to as many people as you
can.
 

simon says

Veteran Expediter
Charter Member
You are touching on the real class issues in America. The working poor fight the wars for the elite who run this country. They didn't ask for the Iraq war: most just wanted job training and future benefits. Notice how first responders and firefighters haven't been compensated either, and now they are dying from respiratory illnesses. There is a growing number of soldiers and families who are also now demanding redress on these issues and ending the war...NPR had interviews the other day.
I'm not faulting those who get money from 911, and I don't think they are getting huge settlements either. Oklahoma bombing victims & families should get money as well. I don't think writing a letter to your Congressman will help: most Dems are trying to ride the fence: they act like they were all misled by Bush, but they aren't going to stop the funding for the war. Both parties support the war for: guess what: OIL $.
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
No, No, No....

People who die when something like 9/11 or Oklahoma happens; their families should not get compensated from our tax money for something that the government and you or I have no control.

You can call me callous but there is absolutely no reason that they need to get money, scholarships, their last year or two taxes paid back, free housing and a long list of things when a bunch of them say it is not enough. You or I don’t get a dime if we have a tragedy, why should anyone else?

I feel that the person who actually goes into hams way to save a life, or defend our country should have something done for them or their family, knowing several fire fighters who don’t get a dime and have to fight for medical care.

And I wonder why this thread is here, maybe it should go into the soapbox forum?
 

Dreamer

Administrator Emeritus
Charter Member
Moved to proper forum.



Dreamer
Forums Administrator


--------------


"You cannot tailor make the situations in life, but you can tailor make the attitudes to fit those situations before they arise"


Zig Ziglar
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
I completely agree with Greg - why should the 911 victims' families get such special consideration? I don't see any difference between them and every other victim of tragedy!
 

arkjarhead

Veteran Expediter
Look at someone like myself. I get a few hundred dollars a month and I can't work now due to injuries received while in uniform. My wife and I don't even get 1,000 dollars a month. My wife is taking care of me, working and going to school, but there are no scholarships we can find that are available to the spouse of a disabled vet. It's an outrage. I joined up before 9/11 and was thrust into this mess. I basiclly have to be babysat now by my grandmother-in-law because it's not safe for me to be home alone right now. She isn't compensated for that. She allows my wife and I to live in a house she owns for 50 dollars a month, but doesn't receive anything from the government for that either. My wife and I have been denied for food stamps because we don't have any kids. I get out and pick up pecans when I'm feeling up to it to sell for a lil money. The sad thing about it is I'm only 23 so I have a lot of this still to look forward to. Now I go to sleep at night and hope I don't wake up so my wife can collect on my life insurance. I know that sounds harsh, but that's about the only way I will be able to provide for my wife. That is a painful realization to come to, but it's the truth.
 

TeamCaffee

Administrator
Staff member
Owner/Operator
marvinkwagner

When you are going to quote another author you really should give him credit where credit is due. Rush Limbaugh would appreciate it. This was a word for word from March 11, 2002 "What is a Military Family Worth?"
 

arkjarhead

Veteran Expediter
It doesn't matter who said it it needed to be said. This country is good at using us until we can't give anymore and then throwing us to the side like last week's trash. It gets old.
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
If the original author sues for plagiarism, it matters very much - it is not only dishonest to portray the words of another as your own, it's against the law.
Having said that, I agree with Mr Limbaugh. The "me first" attitude of our public representatives is shameful.
 

arkjarhead

Veteran Expediter
i didn't copy anyone's work, but it still needed to be said. face it disabled vets get pushed to the side. everyone thinks these lil programs the government sets up are so easy to get into. maybe that's why 1/3 of america's homeless are veterans, and most of them are disabled vets. hell, i'm on the verge of being homeless but luckily i have family who can help me in that respect. when your children go through what i have for this country and still get treated like crap you might feel a lil different. excuse me if anything is misspelled.
 

Aviator

Expert Expediter
All good, but you are forgetting Servicemens Group Life Insurance, Otherwise known to those in the Military as the SGLI Sweepstakes. All of us have at least $250,000 in life insurance through the military, and most opt for more up to a cool Million. Not exactly the way I want to make mom and pops rich, but if you are gonna go, someone might as well collect.

Aviator
 

cheri1122

Veteran Expediter
Driver
Arkjar, the plagiarism remarks weren't for you, we know you didn't do it. I know that this is a hard time for you, because it is really hard to not be able to work, when that's all you want to do. And you're seeing for yourself that the government doesn't just hand money to people in need, either. As you said, the number of homeless vets is appalling, and shameful. But you're not going to be one of them, because you have family to stand by you till you get back on your feet, which you will do, once the medication to control the seizures gets to working properly. Medication isn't an exact thing, sometimes, it takes trial & error on the dosages to get it right, but when they do, you'll be able to work again. You may have to give up driving, but may find something else you like - life is full of surprises, and some of them are good ones.
 

Moot

Veteran Expediter
Owner/Operator
Could the government's payments to 9/11 victims really be an insurance industry bailout? If a victim's survivors accept the government money is that in lieu of life insurance payouts? Or are victim's survivors entitled to those also?

Many people visiting the World Trade Center that day were there on business. Most business people are covered under accidental death policies while on the job. Some policies pay double or triple for an accidental death while traveling for business.

Me thinks the insurance industry has benefitted the most from this "entitlement mentality".
 

Broompilot

Veteran Expediter
Great Points Marvin. When is enough enough? Could you really spend $15K a month? They are leaving there children, childrens, childrens, rich at our expense. I am all in favor of a much smaller amount for life, but 15K a month with no risk and just a guarantee.

Greed, Greedy, Greediest, they are beyond being blood sucking ticks. They should be ashamed of themselves. We as a society want to knock CEOs for there earning fortunes (which we should) but it should be reversed. Maybee 3-5K a month but 15 its legal stealing.
 

greg334

Veteran Expediter
Moot,

The two families I know that lost someone during the crisis still got the insurance money.

The funny thing is they too have been critisizing some of the comments and actions (especially the 'Jersey girls' who say they represent all the families) about the entire mess.

One family has gotten over $3.4M so far (they got some money in July for some reason) and both families didnt take the tax refunds, the red cross package or other things, most of what they have received from the goverment has been given to the fire fighters charity and other groups who help out others.
 
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