Can You Believe this?

**SARKY** · 01-31-2011, 02:59 PM

Apparently Michelle Bachman is talking about cutting benefits to veterans (there is an article in Airforce news) . I would prefer that she cuts benefits in congress and the senate as well as civil SERVANTS before she even thinks about the vets.

**laughingbeetle** · 01-31-2011, 03:09 PM

Oh that ticks me off to no end!! Of all the..what in..how the...@#%#&@#!! THAT JUST STINKS!!! And no I cant just say how I really feel about it without straying into topics that are forbidden on this site. I am gonna sharpen a blade or 20 now and just cuss quietly. Sharpening knives is always very relaxing.

**Rick** · 01-31-2011, 03:46 PM

I'm telling you, hang on to your shorts. This is going to be a painful ride. Cuts are going to be made across the board and it's going to hurt. I think Rep. Bachman is the wrong person to even think about submitting a bill of this type. She hasn't served so I don't think she needs to be involved in it. Vet benefits are sort of a sacred cow to me personally but even they are going to be slaughtered before it's over.

**SARKY** · 01-31-2011, 04:54 PM

I understand that cuts have to be made, but just once I would like for the congress and senate to set an example by cutting their own pork first.
It's the same crap all of have to deal with on a local level, (some of us more than others) "we have no money, so we have to cut the teachers, police, or firefighters" . Never once have they said we are cutting our own pay and benefits.
Hey Crash, is it time for the torches and pitchforks yet???

**r0ckhamm3r** · 01-31-2011, 04:57 PM

Don't hold your breath.

**finallyME** · 01-31-2011, 05:00 PM

Congressional and Senate wages and benefits should always be first on the chopping block when cuts are necessary. Look at how Texas pays its state senators and representatives.

**Trabitha** · 01-31-2011, 06:23 PM

It's been said that there is a push to cut military spending by 50% this year too. It's all on the block. IMO...Military and police should never be touched...but sadly no one takes my opinion into account.
Now we will have an under funded military that will in turn be under prepared...and our police forces are being cut to such a degree that it's more dangerous to be a cop AND a civilian.

Makes me want to build a darn bunker sometimes.

**crashdive123** · 01-31-2011, 07:14 PM

Sarky - I may surprise you on this one. I can't speak to the specifics of what she wants to cut since I haven't seen her proposal, but I believe our financial house is in such crisis (I don't use the term lightly) that I think EVERYBODY, including the Defense Department needs to make cuts. Unfortunately, those cuts usually come at the expense of the men and women in uniform because politicians don't want to see that big defense contract cut from their district. The Pentagon wastes a lot of money.

I believe that a few of US could sit down with the Federal Budget and balance it. It might be painful, but we could do it. Some things on my list are funding of the arts - if it's good enough to sell, then sell it. The federal government doesn't need to adorn its buildings with butt ugly sculptures that resemble trash, not art. Do away with the other NEA - National Education Association. If throwing money at schools made them better, the District of Columbia school district would be putting out the smartest kids on the planet. Unemployment insurance? Cut it from three years to 16 weeks. Do away with any defined benefits programs for government employee (federal, state, local) unions and make them defined contribution programs - let em contribute to a 401K type program. Go to the Fair Tax. I've got a bigger list, but would probably upset more people than I already have.

**Old GI** · 02-01-2011, 09:30 AM

I firmly believe that all governements at all levels could easily be cut by 25% and not impact on the functions of government. It would take knowledgeable people with no political influence, like the BRAC was supposed to be apolitical, .... oh wait, that fell to politicians. Good luck on this one.