9/11 benefits - Military Benefits

FirstBow · 03-03-2007, 05:57 PM

Rush Limbaugh said this and made me very confused.

Personally, I never understood the payments to the family members of those killed on 9-11. The survivors didn't get such payments, or those who worked to find the survivors. I don't understand the entitlement mentality of so many Americans these days, either. I cannot bear Limbaugh, but he makes a good point in this piece. So read on, friend...
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Love him or loathe him, he nailed this one right on the head..........

By Rush Limbaugh:

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 a screeching halt.

Keep in mind that some of the people who are getting an average of $1.185 million up to $4.7 mill on 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.

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 a s 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. 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 Eastwhile their families have to survive on food stamps and live in low-rent housing Make sense?

However, our own US 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 pay 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, and 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 benefits and lowering pay for our sons and daughters who are now

fighting.

"When do we finally do something about this?"

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alsaqr · 03-03-2007, 07:16 PM

Hats off to Limbaugh on this one. I have heard him talk about this on his radio show several times.

MinnFinn · 03-03-2007, 11:26 PM

I agree it was a disproportionate reaction to try to somehow make up for a terrible thing that was done to many peoples' families. Money doesn't fix it though. Military families deserve more support than anyone as ever.

(Also, please use a regular sized font and leave the underlining off. It's hurting my eyes or I may have to ask for compensation from you.) jk

Aught Six · 03-04-2007, 09:06 AM

There's a tremendous difference between volunteering for duty that may result in death and just happening to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I don't understand the 9/11 payments. I thought that was what insurance is for, not the federal government.

Sliverflicker · 03-04-2007, 09:46 AM

Was that compensation only from the Federal Government,Or was that from the Donations taken in from Organizations and Individuals from around the World? Not that it's any less of an Injustice to the Soldier and their Families, But theres not much you can do about where People donate their Money. Anyone know?

Aught Six · 03-04-2007, 09:56 AM

It was a little (rather a lot) of both. This transcript has been making its way across the Internet for years, and as you can see from snopes, it has been altered slightly.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/deathpay.asp

FirstBow · 03-04-2007, 06:47 PM

To me all Military benefits (KIA) or any other should be compatable any Law Enforcement Officers at minimum. Increasing with time served. Honorable Discharge......... ETS out and should be just as important.

alsaqr · 03-05-2007, 09:32 AM

"To me all Military benefits (KIA) or any other should be compatable any Law Enforcement Officers at minimum."

Good statement.

Red Lion · 03-05-2007, 01:59 PM

I guess Rush can have a good point once in his life. Good points about entitlement and inequities, and good to see that he "obviously" understands that we have all allowed this to transpire over time, not just conservatives and liberals, but all of us.

j_beste · 03-05-2007, 02:03 PM

I also agree with Rush on this one.