Elected officials preside over waste & decades of ongoing, undeclared wars overseas- then tell us there is no more money for the traditional DOD military healthcare benefits that were used to entice people to stay for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
& see where savings are available to pay fees for healthcare earned by people who volunteered to go to far away places and maybe never come back again.
“The total amount of funds unaccounted for has now reached a staggering $7 billion, officials say — and they warn that the Iraqi government is likely to demand at least some of that money back.”
Many people have risked their ass in far off lands to keep terrorists from visiting the homeland.
Love to see a reporter ask The Joint Chiefs of Staff how all that can be justified while the US Dept. of Homeland Security is unable keep heroin out of the US.
Think terrorists are smart enough to pose as drug traffickers- then cross into the US free of screening, scanning, pat downs, special IDs, inspection of personal items, etc.
Sentries & watchstanders unable to prevent lone bumbler from penetrating US Coast Guard base- then smoking marijuana in the CO’s quarters aboard 210-foot cutter Active- not to be discovered until hours later at morning colors.
It is unfortunate that the American people seem to want to support the troops, but lack a basic understanding of public policy related to the troops.
To be fair- public policy in this area can be confusing- even to people who did time in uniform.
This confusing article seems to indicate that people in highly respected and specialized units, or people involved in high-profile operations would be eligible for a different benefit package than the average people who were in average units over the years. Investigative reporters may not have had a clear understanding of public policy in this case.
This very popular marketing device for a US auto manufacturer is not connected in any way to public policy:
Take a look at comments below the video and you will see that people truly feel connected to supporting the troops by watching a made for TV car commercial.
The First Lady has made an effort to support military families. Unfortunately- these efforts appear to be completely unrelated to public policy.
Here is a hand selected lady who was surprised (1:12) to get a phone call of support from The First Lady- even though cameras were rolling in her home when the phone rang:
No definite benefit package is offered for people who stay for 20 years in the US Armed Forces.
Honest management of public information could improve the situation.
Many Americans may associate free medical care with people who stay for 20 years in the US Armed Forces.
Recommendation-
Insert language into recruiting literature and enlistment documents stating that rules concerning benefits may change at any time & that no definite benefit package will be provided in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service. No grandfather clause will apply. Have unit leaders refer to this disclaimer when promoting retention drives, giving re-enlistment speeches, etc.
Stop spending federal money on meaningless support the troops promotions, campaigns and VIP photo ops that are not connected in any way with public policy.
“State ferries officials say they had no choice but to fairly enforce security policies that were stepped up in the aftermath of terrorist attacks on the East Coast on Sept. 11, 2001.”
Security policies?
The Washington State Patrol uses dogs to check vehicles at some ferry terminals on some days. Walk-on passengers are not checked at any terminal- at any time.
A free and independent press plays no role here in questioning public policy- simply passing down dictates from above.
So, if this guy is arrested it might be done in secret if the one page report is already full, the arrest is not selected by the agency for public release or is an apprehension that results in an ongoing investigation?
Suspicionless checkpoints on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula- away from border crossings and ports of entry-
We are told the #1 US Border Patrol objective is to stop terrorists.
The US Border Patrol explains this objective at a local public forum- this YouTube video covers Border Patrol objectives at 3:50
At that same forum a lady asked:
“What is the penalty for not identifying oneself to federal agents at an internal, suspicionless checkpoint?”
US Border Patrol said they would call in the Sheriff when a person refused to identify themselves.
Sheriff says they will not respond to a non-emergency situation involving a person peaceably refusing to interact with federal agents.
Question about providing ID is at 0:35
Checkpoints ended here in 2008- possibly due to well-informed citizens and local protests. Looks like they weren’t vital to national security after all.
& see where savings are available to pay fees for healthcare earned by people who volunteered to go to far away places and maybe never come back again.
“The total amount of funds unaccounted for has now reached a staggering $7 billion, officials say — and they warn that the Iraqi government is likely to demand at least some of that money back.”
Elected officials preside over waste & decades of ongoing, undeclared wars overseas- then tell us there is no more money for the traditional DOD military healthcare benefits that were used to entice people to stay for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Senator McCain speaks about military healthcare benefits-
There was a time when Moms & Dads, friends, relatives, folks at church and school- and people with years of military experience- encouraged a younger generation to take a favorable look at making a career of the US Armed Forces.
Even if there was another draft- people would be drafted for an enlistment- not a career.
“The total amount of funds unaccounted for has now reached a staggering $7 billion, officials say — and they warn that the Iraqi government is likely to demand at least some of that money back.”
& see where savings are available to pay fees for healthcare earned by people who volunteered to go to far away places and maybe never come back again.
“The total amount of funds unaccounted for has now reached a staggering $7 billion, officials say — and they warn that the Iraqi government is likely to demand at least some of that money back.”
They stayed for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and kept reenlisting until they had 20 years in for TRICARE.
They could have left the armed forces to stabilize their lives Re: children in school, home ownership, a chance at decent local jobs for a two income household, family separation, getting shot at, etc.
They stayed in based on what they thought was an honest understanding of the benefits they were earning.
Traditional DOD military healthcare benefits used to entice people to stay for multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan should be written in stone.
Many Americans may associate free medical care with people who stay for 20 years in the US Armed Forces.
Recommendation-
Insert language into recruiting literature and enlistment documents stating that rules concerning benefits may change at any time & that no definite benefit package will be provided in exchange for 20 years of unrestricted worldwide service. No grandfather clause will apply. Have unit leaders refer to this disclaimer when promoting retention drives, giving re-enlistment speeches, etc.
Stop spending federal money on meaningless support the troops promotions, campaigns and VIP photo ops that are not connected in any way with public policy.
Here is a hand selected lady who was surprised (1:12) to get a phone call of support from The First Lady- even though cameras were rolling in her home when the phone rang:
My concerns are not specific to any political party or personality.
Here’s the Republican position Re: making good on healthcare benefits for The Troops:
There was a time when Moms & Dads, friends, relatives, folks at church and school and people with years of military experience encouraged a younger generation to take a favorable look at making a career of the US Armed Forces.
Even if there was another draft- people would be drafted for an enlistment- not a career.
Good luck with your all-volunteer military.
Photo- A symbol of freedom & federal government credibility
Talks about legalizing marijuana while including restrictions that leave prohibition and the drug war in place for adults age 18-20, those who want to grow a plant at home, possess more than an ounce, or possess marijuana from non-state sanctioned outlets.
Talks about placing high taxes on legal marijuana.
Dealers, traffickers and cartels are good with this idea.
Today- most Americans can repeat the “Thanks for your service” slogan and move on without having to involve themselves or family members in decades of undeclared wars in distant lands. This is just the way politicians want it.
If there is any quiet sense of guilt among politicians or people who never did time in uniform about all that- it can be cleared up by thanking The Troops for protecting American rights and freedoms, supporting The Troops, giving them discounts, being cool with them wearing field uniforms in public, not questioning wars that aren’t won, etc.
Spending just a few moments at major sporting events honoring the troops covers for cutting benefits for those who hung in for multiple tours in Iraq.
Troop suicides are less of a big deal if everyone is a volunteer.
Military suicide rates are up. Value of benefits is down-
I have an acquaintance who has had a positive, long term relationship with a mental healthcare professional.
That healthcare professional will not contract with TRICARE after United HealthCare takes over.
It sounds like the tortuous paperwork processing requirements are not worth the low reimbursement rates provided to the mental healthcare professional.
People who have the ability to help others find internal peace realize the strain will be unbearable when the next lowest bidder moves into place.
Welcome Home Troops
What is likely to happen in the case I am familiar with is a continued patient/client relationship based on negotiating a fee- same as people did 100 years ago. This way- none of the patient’s money & none of the healthcare professional’s money will be chopped out by a middleman agency staffed with people who enforce mind-numbing paperwork mandates.
Here is $6-8 billion that could have paid for healthcare fees for people who volunteered to go to far away places and maybe never come back again & those who stayed for multiple tours in Iraq.
Here is another $60 billion that could have gone to pay healthcare fees for those who made a 20 year commitment to whatever wear and tear came their way.
Photo- pre-tsunami debris scene on the Washington Coast
Perhaps four handguns could have saved thousands on 911?
American culture is OK with lies told about US foreign policy and where military service fits into our way of life.
Somewhere after 911- many patriotic Americans seem to have embraced the idea that “The Troops” are fighting to protect our rights and freedoms– as if the US Armed Forces function as some sort of giant civil rights organization.
When the US Armed Forces are sent to Lebanon, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Vietnam, etc.- how is that defending the US Constitution– or our rights and freedoms, or our physical security?
When we return from an undeclared war or military conflict without a victory- what becomes of American rights and freedoms?
One person wrote: “…spend this Memorial Day honoring those who have defended your right to have an opinion on this matter.”
As if we are wards of the state or mindless drones– somehow dependent on people in military uniforms to enable us to think or to have an opinion.
If the troops are fighting for American rights and freedoms- why were black people still riding at the back of the bus after the big WWII victory?
US foreign policy goals and objectives are mapped out at the very highest levels of government.
Ask yourself- is there someone at the table- in those high level planning sessions- who makes sure that military operations overseas include a mission to protect American rights and freedoms?
Does someone make sure the mission is to defend the constitution?
Is there anyone who verifies that the mission is to protect our physical security?
How does the executive branch of government defend the constitution via US foreign policy?
Many veterans refer to their oath of enlistment Re: defending the constitution- when & how do The Troops act on behalf of the executive branch of government to defend the constitution?
If the US Armed Forces are somehow connected to defending the constitution- how did public policy serve up due-process-free assassinations?
Never Forget-
The US Armed Forces were irrelevant in defending American rights and freedoms, our physical security, & The Constitution on 911.
Ditto for all other federal agencies and departments.
People who question US foreign policy on newspaper websites are told:
“You wouldn’t have the freedom to post your nonsense if people were not giving their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to protect that freedom”, etc.
& see where savings are available to pay for healthcare fees earned by people who volunteered to go to far away places and maybe never come back again.
Politicians figured out that ending the draft & pretending to honor The Troops for a few moments at major sporting events would make it all good.
This is the same DOD that says they are running out of money to pay for the healthcare benefits that were used to entice people to reenlist for ongoing, undeclared wars in distant lands.
