Wondering why we as a country, allow our heroes, those we look up to, those we allow to earn unbelievable salaries, those we allow to be idols, etc. consider them so much more than our military? People like celebrities, ceo's, sports figures, etc.

Our military is committed and can't walk away since they are enlisted. Congress has set it up so while they work for our government, to protect our people, they are not federal employees. There are no wage and hour/ovetime mandates. No guaranteed federal holidays off. No shift differential. They do not enjoy the benefits and perks a civil servant (and i think that's a joke, the word servant) receives while working, nor while retired.

Our military were promised healthcare for life (they pay after retirement) and also benefits for spouses to include the pension after the member's death. Retire now and if you don't choose 1 of their plans, which, btw, you get to pay for, then you take a chance on how long hte military member will survive. upon that death, the paltry retirement is gone.

The VA healthcare system, overall, has been substandard for years. Just now, it comes out that there are a multitude of problems, but gee, it'snot congress' fault for slashing the budget, it's the people struggling to work with what they have.

Another post regarding worth and dollars made me decide to get this out. And yes, I have personal experience with all of the military items I mentioned, not just being familiar and thinking i know what i am talking about.

We hail inappropriate people in this country, how sad.

Very well said!

My hubby is in the military and I could not agree more

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Hubby used to be in the Navy and I totally agree with everything you said.

Thank you for saying it!

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Sell crazy some place else, we are all stocked up here.

It is not fair that our politicians make as much as they do and they control their own salaries. It would be great to make elected officials go on a pay scale for each number of years they have served, the more served the more money you get. You don't get elected, you don't get paid, period. They should have to earn benefits with years of service as well, no pension no health benefits for life unless you have served for x amount of years first. Not like I know how everything works, but I don't think it works very well, the country is in more trouble than ever and we are taxed more and more, where is it all going?

I know the service people of this country do not get anywhere near what they deserve, but we do appreciate you.

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"A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked." ~ Bernard Meltzer

I agree, our priorities are all mixed up!!!!
What should we do about it?

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Square dancing is friendship set to music!

OP,

you said it lady!!!

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Vicki


TLJ Women united in Spirit!

I agree with you 100%. My husband has PTSD and is supposed to see his doctor every six weeks at the maximum but he goes months between appointments. They will hand out physiological drugs and he will not have a follow up in 3 weeks like he should, it's more like 6 MONTHS. I hate how they treat the Vet's who don't have a physical wound that can been seen.

Sorry to rant but PTSD and it's lack of care is something I am very passionate about. It's nothing to the bigwigs if a soldier comes back screwed up and snaps at his family. They don't care that wives have to let their husbands know it's them not an Iraqi soldier moving around in a dark bedroom on the way to the bathroom. They don't care that our husbands can't sleep reliving the hell in their dreams.

I hope we can start with changing how we view people. This post really hit it for me:
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08-16-2007, 06:28 AM
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And while me of all people has the utmost respect for our military heroes, and put my money where my mouth is on that subject every single week, the reality is that most of them do not have the skills to be a corporate executive. .

cj/
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We live in a society that places status and worthiness on monetary things....the bigger car, house, jewels, and on and on. We (general we) teach our children to idolize people like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and the likes.

I think we need to get back to "the basics" of what this country was founded on, and exactly HOW this country was founded, and what is REALLY important.

Since when did people come to view our military in such a derogatory way??? Do we still have Memorial Day parades?? The Fourth of July??? I hope we don't start celebrating the wrong things.

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Doing the right thing isn't always the same as doing the easy thing.

Sometimes I think that having what it takes to become very rich means sacrificing being a good person. I mean, if someone could just skip the desire to protect others than tends to go with joining the military, or working for public safety, they'd probably be able to get a job that made a lot more money. If someone's okay with stepping on their coworkers to get ahead, they'll probably get high up in the company sooner or later. I don't mean to sound too cynical, but I'm not sure how else to look at this. Maybe evil's the root of money, and not vice versa.

I agree with you and it is partially the fault of the media and the government. I said Partially. The media inundates us with stories of spoiled little rich girls with no moral values and sports stars who do horrendous things.
The government also is hypocritical advocating war and the support of it as "patriotism" while also letting our poor troops go without: without proper equipment, without mental health and medical care, no support for their families etc.
The message that comes from the mouths of those in "power" or "authority" is a God fearing family values mess of words. The actions and legislation underscore that true fact that money is what these worship.
Greed and family values are in direct opposition of each other.
Take a look at what is valued: material goods.
Therefore those who accumulate the biggest pile of toys and those who manage to stay in the public eye are the ones to be "admired" and followed.

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The political system is broke and it's a joke.

I agree with you. My sister is military and it breaks my heart that her DH is in Iraq, risking his life everyday, and she cannot afford to eat without working. Now she is having stress-induced Vertigo attacks.

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TLJ ~ Where opinions are encouraged, not deleted

You laugh at me because I am different,
I laugh at you because you are all the same.

Your mind is like a parachute, it only works when it is open.