Example of troops getting the shaft from a good source to use

[noahmijo]

This is from the Army Times. Obviously not a liberal front group. When I cite sources to show others I tend to only use mainstream papers, or non-liberal bias sources as it creates more volume in my opinion.

We refuse to believe any crap from Drudge or the National Review, so I don't think it's fair to shove articles from The Nation or Progressive.org (Even if they tell the truth unlike Drudge)

Anyways, from the Army Times.



In recent months, President Bush and the Republican-controlled Congress have missed no opportunity to heap richly deserved praise on the military. But talk is cheap — and getting cheaper by the day, judging from the nickel-and-dime treatment the troops are getting lately.

For example, the White House griped that various pay-and-benefits incentives added to the 2004 defense budget by Congress are wasteful and unnecessary — including a modest proposal to double the $6,000 gratuity paid to families of troops who die on active duty. This comes at a time when Americans continue to die in Iraq at a rate of about one a day.

Similarly, the administration announced that on Oct. 1 it wants to roll back recent modest increases in monthly imminent-danger pay (from $225 to $150) and family-separation allowance (from $250 to $100) for troops getting shot at in combat zones.
Then there’s military tax relief — or the lack thereof. As Bush and Republican leaders in Congress preach the mantra of tax cuts, they can’t seem to find time to make progress on minor tax provisions that would be a boon to military homeowners, reservists who travel long distances for training and parents deployed to combat zones, among others.

Incredibly, one of those tax provisions — easing residency rules for service members to qualify for capital-gains exemptions when selling a home — has been a homeless orphan in the corridors of power for more than five years now.

The chintz even extends to basic pay. While Bush’s proposed 2004 defense budget would continue higher targeted raises for some ranks, he also proposed capping raises for E-1s, E-2s and O-1s at 2 percent, well below the average raise of 4.1 percent.

The Senate version of the defense bill rejects that idea, and would provide minimum 3.7 percent raises for all and higher targeted hikes for some. But the House version of the bill goes along with Bush, making this an issue still to be hashed out in upcoming negotiations.

http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f=0-ARMYPAPER-1954515.php

[Deb]

1. Thanks for sharing n/t

[LibraLabSoldier]

2. Been called a whiner

for posting this same argument on a Conservative board. I was basically told that if I did not have the means to go to college, then I should be greatful that the Army was there. The nerve of these people. They are the first ones to say "hell yeah lets go to war" (most dodged vietnam) first ones to wave the flag on the campaign trail, and the first ones to preach pay cuts and benefit cuts to soldiers. You know what....Do you really think they want thousands of angry underpaid troops rioting in DC?

If Bush wins in 04, you might just get to see it. And it will make LA look like a food fight at a six year olds birthday party.

Soldiers do the job that no one else does. At least we should be paid what we are worth.