I’m a service disabled veteran. Instead of ending a war that’s bankrupting our country, and making even more service disabled veterans, Congress, just voted to hawk your future to send a paltry $300 to 250,000 service disabled veterans.
Anyone in congress who voted for this, should be voted out.
NPR: Senate Adds Aged, Vets to Stimulus Bill [1]
“If today (Republicans) are squirming because they voted ‘no,’ that’s what democracy is all about,” said New York Sen. Charles Schumer, the head of the Senate Democratic campaign committee. “The political chips will fall where they may.”But Democratic Sen. Max Baucus of Montana, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said: “Discretion is the better part of valor. The best thing for us to do is declare a big victory that we’ve achieved, namely getting the rebate checks to 20 million seniors and 250,000 disabled veterans.”
The measure moved through Congress with remarkable speed amid a series of deflating economic reports. Some Republicans, however, expressed reservations that the rebate checks would help much. Other lawmakers worried about expanding the budget deficit.
“We have to remember that every dollar being spent on the stimulus package is being borrowed from our children. And our children’s children,” said Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., who voted against the bill.
This is an attempt to buy votes, made by people who owe too many favors to do the right things (which I’ve talked about before [2]):
- Cap credit card interest at 15% over prime
- Force reset all ARM’s when the Fed made emergency rate cuts
- End extravagant CEO pay unless they own the company (end stock option deals unless provided to all employees)
- Return Wall Street to sanity, ending the casino atmosphere
- Pass tough criminal penalties with mandatory jail time for individuals who cook corporate books (Enron, Countrywide etc).
So, how will I spend my $300- probably paying for the jump in property taxes on my devaluated real estate, thanks to the Fed’s reactionary prime rate cuts which just benefit the banks and the big companies that have access to prime rate loans- not those of us who could really use help with credit card and home loan debt.
Want to help Service Disabled Veterans- stop making more of them. Bring our troops home.
Even though a company may be a “publicly” traded company they still are a private company and can pay their CEO or janitor whatever they want, so long as it is over minimum wage. That is just a fact, Jack.
Take the $300 and do what other vets will do with it – spend it on beer, smokes, food, and candy.
And when did Wall Street become a casino – do they have slot machines and blackjack? I thought gambling in NYC was still illegal. It is confusing if you go to work as a trader and are caught doubling down at the blackjack table. I bet a lot of work is not getting done because they now have a casino on Wall Street. I think we should bring a casino to Dayton – provides jobs and something to do as well, plus more bars.
“Take the $300 and do what other vets will do with it – spend it on beer, smokes, food, and candy.” Real smooth comment there Gene.
Maybe you’d like to live each night locked down under full curfew, all city lights out in fear of some terrorist targeting you or your family.
From another retired service disabled veteran, I know many who will use the $300 to pay bills due to the piss-poor wages they earn.
“Want to help Service Disabled Veterans- stop making more of them. Bring our troops home.” I Agree! Put them on our BORDERS.
I did not mean it like that – sorry. This is what I will spend my money on, btw, but what I was getting at is $300 is chump change and people will spend it on stupid/fun stuff – vet or not.
I, too, am a disabled vet. I am also pretty ancient, making me a senior, and on Medicare. I have paid no federal income taxes for several years (No, I was not cheating; I did not owe any).
I have no expectation of getting anything at all from the stimulus package.
The best way to stimulate my income would have been to increase my Social Security or VA checks, but I know that won’t happen.
So, chump change or not, I don’t expect any.
I’m going to buy orthotics for my stupid, bunion-clad feet. Because of course, insurance won’t cover them. Whee, I am one zany dame!