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Disabled Veterans Decry Wrongheaded, Heartless Budget Cuts
Do they matter?
Do they matterNews Release – Disabled Veterans Decry Wrongheaded, ‘Heartless’ Budget Cuts
If Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) wanted to make a name for herself by proposing to cut funding for veterans health care and disability compensation, she has succeeded. “Such an ill-advised proposal is nothing short of heartless,” according to Disabled American Veterans Washington Headquarters Executive Director David W. Gorman.
“It is unconscionable that while our nation is at war someone would even think of forcing our wounded warriors to sacrifice even more than they already have,” Gorman said. “Their injuries and disabilities were the result of their service to the nation, and our nation must not shirk its responsibilities toward them. How do you tell a veteran who has lost a limb that he or she has not sacrificed enough? Yet Rep. Bachmann wants to do just that.”
The third-term member of Congress has called on Congress to freeze Department of Veterans Affairs health care spending and reduce disability compensation. Her proposal would cut $4.5 billion from veterans health care and disability benefits.
“Freezing VA health care funding will not only freeze out sick and disabled veterans seeking care, it will also end up costing the federal government even more money,” said Gorman. “With the number of veterans seeking health care rising, the effect of a freeze would be to either block enrollment of veterans, many of them just returning from battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan, or to ration care to currently enrolled veterans, including disabled veterans who have relied on VA dating back to World War II,” Gorman said.
Independent studies have shown the VA system provides safe, high quality health care at an average cost that is less than Medicare, Medicaid or the private sector. “This ill-conceived and misguided proposal by Rep. Bachmann would actually increase the budget deficit while lowering the quality of health care to our nation’s veterans,” he said.
“America’s sick and disabled veterans will not sit idly by while their earned health care and disability benefits are threatened,” Gorman warned. “We will raise our voices above the din and call on every member of Congress to reject Rep. Bachmann’s heartless proposal.”
I totally agree. The fact is when you work, pay into the system and become unable to work, Social Security Disability Insurance pays. It is the same thing with veterans and this comes right from them.
How Workers’ Compensation And Other Disability Payments May Affect Your Benefits
SSA Publication No. 05-10018, March 2010, ICN 454500 (En Español) [View .pdf] [Audio.mp3]Disability payments from private sources, such as private pension or insurance benefits, do not affect your Social Security disability benefits.
However, workers’ compensation and other public disability benefits may reduce your Social Security benefits. Workers’ compensation benefits are paid to a worker because of a job-related injury or illness. They may be paid by federal or state workers’ compensation agencies, employers or by insurance companies on behalf of employers.
Other public disability payments that may affect your Social Security benefit are those paid by a federal, state or local government and are for disabling medical conditions that are not job-related. Examples are civil service disability benefits, state temporary disability benefits and state or local government retirement benefits that are based on disability.
If you receive workers’ compensation or other public disability benefits and Social Security disability benefits, the total amount of these benefits cannot exceed 80 percent of your average current earnings before you became disabled.
Some public benefits do not affect your Social Security disability benefits
If you receive Social Security disability benefits and one of the following types of public benefits,
your Social Security benefit will not be reduced:Veterans Administration benefits;
State and local government benefits, if Social Security taxes were deducted from your earnings; or
Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
Believe it or not as the blog world heats up over Bachmann’s desire to cut disabled veterans from VA compensation, there are some defending her. They claim that the veterans should NOT receive both. Why? I have no clue since the rest of us can. If we get hurt on the job and cannot work we get both. So why should the troops be treated differently?
Aside from the fact that people like Bachmann love to talk about how much they “love this country” these men and women were willing to die for it. Willing to die for people who couldn’t care less about them as much as they were willing to die for those who love them.
While the VA will pay for lost limbs for the rest of their lives, Social Security Disability will pay as long as they cannot work. This means that they are able to eat, keep a roof over their heads and have a way to support themselves. That is as soon as the claim is approved with Social Security and as soon as the claim is approved by the VA, which in some cases can take a year or more.
This woman serving in Congress along with other henchmen in her party want us to believe that the veterans are getting anything the rest of us don’t and should have their funds on the chopping block. The same people demanding wealthy get more tax breaks used to be ashamed to admit this is what they think but now they are unashamed of how they betray veterans.
Veterans around the country feel as if they have not only been attacked yet again, but yet again betrayed by the country that sent them into combat in the first place. Or should I say most veterans. There are some veterans defending Bachmann saying that the other veterans shouldn’t be paid by both but they are a tiny minority and members of the “I got mine screw you club” without a single thought of anyone else. They bought the line of people like Bachmann. Well as the saying goes when it comes to supporting the troops, talk is cheap. What we owe them is not.
Here is more from Social Security
Disability Benefits For Wounded Warriors
SSA Publication No. 05-10030, August 2007, ICN 456098 [View .pdf] , En Español [Audio mp3]Military service members can receive expedited processing of disability claims from Social Security. Benefits available through Social Security are different than those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.
The expedited process is used for military service members who become disabled while on active military service on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs.
What types of benefits can I receive?
Social Security pays disability benefits through two programs: the Social Security disability insurance program, which pays benefits to you and certain members of your family if you are “insured,” meaning that you worked long enough and paid Social Security taxes; and the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which pays benefits based on financial need.This fact sheet is about the Social Security disability program. For more information about the Social Security disability program, ask for Disability Benefits (Publication No. 05-10029). For information about the SSI disability program for adults, ask for Supplemental Security Income (Publication No. 05-11000).
What is Social Security’s definition of disability?
By law, Social Security has a very strict definition. To be found disabled:You must be unable to do substantial work because of your medical condition(s); and
Your medical condition(s) must have lasted, or be expected to last, at least one year or be expected to result in death.
While some programs give money to people with partial disability or short-term disability, Social Security does not.How does military pay affect eligibility for disability benefits?
You cannot engage in substantial work activity for pay or profit, also known as substantial gainful activity. Active duty status and receipt of military pay does not, in itself, necessarily prevent payment of disability benefits. Receipt of military payments should never stop you from applying for disability benefits from Social Security. If you are receiving treatment at a military medical facility and working in a designated therapy program or on limited duty, we will evaluate your work activity to determine your eligibility for benefits. The actual work activity is the controlling factor and not the amount of pay you receive or your military duty status.How do I apply?
You may apply for disability benefits at any time while in military status or after discharge, whether you are still hospitalized, in a rehabilitation program or undergoing out-patient treatment in a military or civilian medical facility.You may apply online at www.socialsecurity.gov/woundedwarriors, in person at the nearest Social Security office or by telephone. You may call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an appointment. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you may call our TTY number, 1-800-325-0778. Online we have a “disability starter kit” available to help you complete your application.
What do I need to apply?
Claimants and their representatives must provide information and documentation about age, employment, proof of citizenship, Social Security coverage and information regarding all impairments and related treatment. Social Security will make every reasonable effort to help you get the necessary medical evidence.Important: You should file the application for disability benefits as soon as possible with any documents readily available. Do not delay filing because you do not have all the documents mentioned below.
Original or certified copy of your birth certificate or proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency if foreign born;
Form DD 214, if discharged from the military service;
W-2 Form or income tax return from last year;
Military or workers’ compensation to include proof of payment;
Social Security numbers of your spouse and minor children;
Checking or savings account number, if you have one;
Name, address and phone number of a contact person, in case you are unavailable; and
Medical records that you have and/or that you can easily obtain from all military and civilian sources.
Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=77096
Posted by Chaplain Kathie on Jan 29 2011, With 0 Reads, Filed under Veterans Affairs. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
COMMENTS
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why is it that people like michelle bachman who runs for public office can tell her constuents how much she cares about the elderly and veterans,yet turn around and try to deprive them of there only means of survival and a decent life. shame on her and all others like her.i can not think of anyone more callous and two faced as michelle bachman.there ought to be a special place in hell reserved for her.
This is from FOX. I guess she figured out that this was a BAD idea but it’s all too late now.
She has already proven to veterans that her words of support mean nothing.
Joe Biden made a statement when he was running for President. He was told long ago, “Don’t tell me what you care about. Show me your budget and prove it.” That’s the problem with people like Bachmann. It doesn’t cost them a thing to say the words but when it comes to proving they care, their budget speaks louder.
The printed words on Ms. Bachmann’s official congressional website are specific. I’ll repeat them – verbatim:
“Veterans
$4.5 Billion
Cap increases in Department of Veterans Affairs health care
spending, and reduce disability copensation to account for
SS disability payments. Reduce Veterans’ Disability compensation
to account for Soical Security Disability Payments.”
Vets and their supporters must not “let her off the hook”. Ms. Bachmann must be held accountable for attacking the wounded. The language is very specific – cut the benefits of the wounded.
Congresswoman Bachmann is an enemy of Vets. Her supporters that refuse to hold her accountable for attacking Veteran benefits are – by their actions anti-vet too. Ms. Bachmann’s website dates the post (noted above) as January 24, 2011. Today – as of 5:59 pm EST the post is still on Ms. Bachmann’s official congressional website.
Dale R. Suiter
Like I said, the rest of us get Workman’s Comp and veterans get the VA, both along with disability from Social Security. Bachmann thinks that veterans aren’t worth it. The other thing that is missed is the fact the GOP want to privatize Social Security. What would that do to the veterans? There has to be increases in the VA budget because we keep making more veterans disabled and have yet to get all of them into the VA for care. She’s out of her mind because she just never thought about what has been going on. She must have been too busy making up her recent history lesson.
Agreed. Factually correct Chaplin.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
I am amazed at how many left wing vets I meet at the VA hospital. WHY do they vote for politicians who are clearly in the line up of people who want this country “dead”?
Wheeler,
Without the ‘liberal dems’ you wouldn’t be at the VA hospital
you wouldnt be allowed and the hospital wouldn’t exist
get your life straight
g
Gordon, you know better than that. Don’t be a demogogue, it hurts your credibility (and credibility is the coin of the realm) when you causually state such an easily disproved falsehood.
Support for VA benefits is bi-partisan.
Very true Gordon! All they have to do is look up all the facts from the VA and the White House to see what the budgets were to know that is very true. They would know if they read any of the Bills in Congress to know who is fighting FOR veterans and who thinks they can be cut off from what was promised them.
Case in point is the VA had less doctors and nurses working for them than they did after the Gulf War. The problem is there were two wars producing more and more veterans coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan needing the care. This at the same time news about PTSD was finally getting through to Vietnam Veterans and they started to file claims.
Oct. 2007 on Veterans Today
As Vietnam veterans — part of the baby-boom bulge — retire, Veterans Affairs will face other challenges.
Psychological studies of Holocaust survivors show that many develop symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after they retire, when they have time to slow down and reflect on their lives, Manar said. The same appears to be happen to Vietnam veterans.
In the past 18 months, 148,000 Vietnam veterans have gone to VA centers reporting symptoms of PTSD “30 years after the war,” said Brig. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, deputy commanding general of the North Atlantic Regional Medical Command and Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He recently visited El Paso.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2007/10/08/va-memo-orders-top-priority-given-to-terror-war-veterans/
This was also the year the Democrats took control of the House and forced the budget to be increased. Level headed Republicans had been left out in the cold before that because the party leaders refused to do anything. Believe it or not, there are really caring Republicans in congress and they do care about veterans. I just hope they make sure people like Bachmann regret this betrayal and speak out against what she wants to do TO veterans instead of what she wants to do for them.
As foe JFE that is wishful thinking. People like McCain are all over the place and they talk a good game of supporting veterans but then turn around and vote against them.
Chaplain Kathie, let’s be careful about what Gordon wrote: “Without the ‘liberal dems’ you wouldn’t be at the VA hospital
you wouldnt be allowed and the hospital wouldn’t exist”
I stand by my statement. Although, I was simply chiding Gordon, more than anything else.
I appreciate Gordon’s investigative journalism.
Gordon reports important facts & evidence, which are invaluble. I respect his reporting ability and his access to sources, that otherwise, I and the other readers here at Veterans Today would never know.
I understand Gordon vents some spleen from time to time — we all do.
Glad you wrote that and for venting, we all do it. I do when I am not ranting.
Check out the subject “Chicken Hawks” folks. Many of the “beat the war drum” types have not served in the military let alone walked point. Many of the “right wing” are loud on “kill em all” talk but do not involve themselves in the real horror of war. (Yes, there are exceptions of folks on the right that have served honorably and in combat.)
There should be a national outrage over Ms. Bachmann’s proposal. Her position of attacks on Vets and the wounded is absent from the national media? Why?
The reason we have any Vet services dates back over a century. Vets back then began creating laws that developed into governement systems to care for wounded and injured and sick Vets. Don’t think people in D.C. won’t take away what has been provided to Vets. Ms. Bachmann has already began the process, has she not?
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
Dale,…..Fox was the only network that I noticed and I scan them all, that carried Rep Bachmann’s proposal. MSNBC, ABC, CBS and CNN were vary quiet about this. I thought all four of them were to the left leaning, especially MSNBC.
Thanks for the update, SGTM. I did not catch the Fox News Comment on televison. I did find Chaplin Kathie’s website reference – the one where a Ms. Bachmann spokeman said the language on her website was for discussion purposes.
Issues like this one are hard to keep in prespective. Real fast these issues get off on tangents. I believe there are real threats to the U.S. Military from the liberal left. The far right wants to cut funds to the line grunt but still fight wars. We need folks like us or the country is lost.
I view much of the media, including Fox News as left leaning and far from balanced in news broadcasts. Editorial comments – have at it folks. That is why we the people have a first admendment. News needs to report facts or absence of fact – not opinions. Opinions belong to editoraials in my view.
People like Ms. Bachmann must be held accountable by the voters. If she is reelected in a little less than two years it will go hard on Vets and the Military.
Respectfully
Dale R. Suiter
Michelle Bachman is a prostitute for Israel like many in the US Senate and Congress on BOTH SIDES Democratic and Republican Parties] with the exception of a few people.
She has in the past said that “God will punish America if we dont stand with Israel” (1) in order to continue giving billions of dollars in aid to Israel and (2) in order to continue waging illegal and unnecessary wars on behalf of Israel that have killed, maimed and traumatized thousands and thousands of US troops while also bankrupting America.
Senator Rand Paul [son of our most beloved Congressman Ron Paul] has courageously come forward wanting to eliminate all aid to foreign countries including Israel for which the Democratic Party [supposed to be your friends], all sorts of Jewish organizations and mainstream media have started attacking him.
The message veterans have to send to Washington should be against all politicians who want to continue giving money to Israel [that bombed USS Liberty ship killing 34 sailors and injuring another 170] and that money can be used to take care of all veterans without having to cut their benefits.
Dont assume that Democratic Party is your friend. There are enemies on bothsides and these enemies pander to Israel and special interest groups at the expense of American citizens including soldiers and veterans.
Ron Paul and Rand Paul are coservative Republicans who want to preserve our freedom, who want to monitor the fraudulent private bank called the Federal Reserve and who want to end foreign aid and Ron Paul wants to bring all troops home. Read Ron Paul’s book “End the Fed”.
We need people like Ron Paul, Rand Paul, Jessie Ventura, Chuck Baldwin, Pat Buchanan and others like them as our leaders. I also like Jim Traficant, Dennis Kucinich and Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney.
Then there is David Duke another great American whom the Mainstream media has unfaily destroyed. He wants to bring all our troops home, end the Fed, end all sorts of corruption and fraud etc and thereby improve the lives of Americans.
Stop getting brainwashed by anyone who says liberal Democrats is the answer to everything. Many of them have been for waging wars and giving aid to Israel. Many of the are Israel fisters. Start reading books to educate yourselves.
Read the books: “High Priests of War” by Michael Collins Piper and “What I Saw that Day” by Navy Veteran Phil Tourney and Mark Glenn and “End the Fed” by Ron Paul to start with and followed by books by Judge Napolitano, Pat Buchanan, Eustace Mullins and Ralph Nader etc.
Yes Michelle Bachman is a rotten woman so are Diana Feinstein, Barbara Boxer, Robert Waxman from California who did nothing to help homeless veterans in California and Eric Cantor from Virginia, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Chuck Schumer and countless others, These are all frauds who have destroyed America.
Instead of looking at Liberals VS others look at the individual by simply looking at who is for America vs who are for Israel while remembering that no one can serve two masters.
Israel is our enemy who bombed USS Liberty and all aid to Israel must END and all wars for Israel must be stoped NOW.
Bring all troops home. No MORE WARS for Israel.
Support politicians like the ones I mentioned to whom America comes first.
I agree with 90% of what you say. I never have found a vet like you that thinks like me, a nam vet
I’m a ‘Nam vet, and I agree 100% with what D Costa said. So I guess that makes two of us wallytron. And I’ll bet that there are a heck of a lot more ‘Nam vets that agree with him too!
How do all of these “Israel Firsters” get elected over and over? Do you suppose that electronic voting is part of the problem? AIPAC? Who owns most of the “mainstream” media? (I think the MSM is beginning to lose their clout tho)
We’re getting there…it’s a tough slog, but brave, and smart, vets like Gordon are helping to put the pieces to the puzzle in the right places so we can see what is happening, and hopefully, correct it.
Hang in there…and pray for our country. Then, start making some noise.
jerry bolduc
McCain is a friend of Israel just like Michelle Bachman and so many others and he is the right hand of liberal senator Joe Lieberman another Israel firster.
Letting down soldiers and veterans is in the McCain gene. Those sailors of the USS Liberty who have lived to tell the story are well aware of how his father acted in the aftermath of Israel’s bombing of USS Liberty.
wow to that post putting Ron Paul in the same post as DDuke! Just…Wow!
However, it is true that Ron and Rand Paul both can read, including article 1 section 8 of the Constitution which says the military and hence veterans ARE Constitutional Congressional expenditures. And Rand suggests specific cuts cutting $500 billion without having to cut veteran benefits in the slightest.
I an a disabled, Desert Storm VET with Gulf War Syndrome. You and people like you are spitting in the face of VETS, past, present, and futre!! You are hurting VETS,… and their families!! If you want a name for yourself, STOP messing with VETS, and their families, and START cutting the HUGH paychecks, and beneifits of folfs in government!!! Thats where GROSS spending is taking place. There ARE VETS with REAL disabilities. If you are agaunst VETS, and their families, you, and your buddies can go live in a land,….. far, far, away!!!!!!
yea like she’ll ever get this “stink-talk” passed the Senate Veterans Affairs…I’d love to see Patty Murry the new chair…drop kick her into one of those 10,000 MN lakes…rumor is MB wants to run for “president” …so earned media campaigns have begun in Tea tottleville, MN…By the way her hubby owns a MH facility close to the St Cloud Mn VA facility…wonder if they ever got or “lost, a VA “contract”….hmmmm
Ms. Bachmann may have destroyed any chance at higher office. I can not see any Vet organization supporting her. I don’t know if she will back track on her anti-Vet position – but if she does – Vets can not afford to let her avoid the responsibility of her website. Stange things happen in politics. Remember folks, as many of you have written – our country is creating disabled Vets every day. Also – the Vet must prove their wounds were incurred in combat. The VA makes a rating based on the VA evaluation of the “EVIDENCE”. Aside from Ms. Bachmann – theer are many interests that want to limit VA care for Vets.
Semper Fi
Dale R. Suiter
BITCH!!! Shut her mouth…..
REALITY challenged politicos on both sides of the fence ALWAYS want to trim the DVA and DoD health care budgets. They want quick fixes to long term problems so they can get re-elected.
These are the people that got elected by voters who wanted to control the runaway national debt and our near terminal economy. Unfortunately what they have found out is that common sense is in short supply with these elected officials.
There was a time in history when a leader deciding to send troops into combat had to go with them. Too bad they don’t do that anymore. Imagine members of Congress having to go with the troops as soon as they decide to approve any military operation. Maybe then they would understand that when they decide to do this, real lives are on the line and should anything happen to any of them it is a debt they decided to owe as soon as they voted to send them.
For years I listened to members of Congress ready, willing and able to spend any amount to fund the defense contractors. What I didn’t hear was that the troops would be getting everything they needed. They didn’t get it doing their jobs in Iraq or Afghanistan any more than they got it when they came home. Contractors are the first funded and the last to be cut but the troops and veterans always seem to be the ones paying the price for all of it.
Chaplin Kathie:
The situation is going to get worse. Military health care is becoming increasingly privatized. We need to be very vigilant. Do you see care for the military and the Vet slipping? I don’t know, Chaplin. Should we loose faith in our government and its support of the Vets and troops? Your comments, please.
Dale R. Suiter
Dale, if Vietnam Vets didn’t give up on the rest of us, no one should. Coming home, feeling betrayed and attacked for serving this country was not enough to get them to give up on us. Remember what it was like in the 70′s and 80′s? What Vietnam veterans did was turn around some shred of hope in us and they moved mountains. None of what is being done on PTSD would have happened without Vietnam veterans. Even now they still fight for all veterans.
They didn’t give up and that is a lesson I learned long ago. Governments fail when people do not expect any better of them.
Things have changed for the better in the last few years but that was because people cared enough to make it happen. You are right and we do have to stay vigilant to make it better.
Look at the responses Bachmann got across the country and know she does not speak for many. The troops and veterans have the hearts of most Americans. They do not just belong to one neighborhood, town or state. They serve the nation and our hearts send out prayers for them everyday. We weep when one is laid to rest. We are saddened when one is wounded and our hearts break when one suffers or takes his/her own life. We also rejoice when one rises above their own pain to do great things for others.
Remember Dale, the government is represented by politicians but it is the people who make them do the right thing. Bachmann will be remembered for this the next time an election comes up just as much as anyone defending her will be remembered for this betrayal.
Thank you, you are correct of course.
Best reagards
Dale R. Suiter
Amen Chaplain,
My Marines knew I would not have them do anything I wouldn’t do myself. I was by their side, in the front and the rear, and I would give my life to save theirs and they knew it.
Congress is like the kids that play video games,they start the game and when they get bored, they walk away, leaving us service-members to fend for ourselves. Like I have said before. Everyone in Congress should be required for one-week to live the life of a handicapped inividual, no holds barred. See what it is like to go to war, train, have your sweetheart or other send you a Dear John letter and not be able to do a thing about it. Or go to a VA Hospital and wait,,,and wait,,,,and be turned down from Target, McDonald’s, Wal-Mart and have a VA attendant not be able to speak English but administer you care and have a nice cozy job. If Veterans or SS recipients don’t get a raise, neither should Congress, State Officials or anyone else. I am one check away from being homeless, jobless and don’t qualify for any assistance unless I’m homeless and on DRUGS. Life just sucks right now.
Semper FI.
gyberg, that is what a great leader does. Their lives mattered to you and you cared about them. The most amazing thing is that when I talk to veterans, no matter what happened to them when they came home, what wounds they came back with, they would still go back if they could. Not for the sake of the mission, but for the sake of their brothers and sisters.
It is what makes my heartbreak the most. Seeing what all of you are going through is not right but few in congress will ever really know what it is like to be among you.
The worst thing is that the title of “veteran” is replaced too often by the title “politician” and they forget where they’ve been. Their votes show where their heart really is.
My prayers are with you for your life to get better.
What we need to do is what the Egyptians are doing to their rotten to the core government, throw them out. This whole government is rotten to the core, from the Presidency down. It’s all ran by Israel. I’ve sat in Vet’s groups where all the Vets but me had 100%, and they were all Jews. Same thing happens in other countries too. Jewish vets are fast tracked to the benefits, while non Jews are thrown against the wall. I’ve been battling a PTSD claim for 15 years. Had a Comp and Pen hearing finally after having a diagnosis for 13 years from a VA Psychologist. He told me I’d hear back in a month or two. It’s almost 4 months now, I haven’t heard squeak from the VA.
Michelle will be getting a call on Monday, and it will not be polite.
My claim took seven years and 3 months. I ended up visiting my congressmans office every week with 5 binders of letters to and from the VA.
Get in their face, we have truth on our side so use it
Mick, the time for claims to be honored has not changed in years. Sad to say. My husband’s took 6 years and his best friend’s claim took 19 years. What do they expect people to live off of? These are Vietnam Vets but the same thing is still going on, like for you. IT SUCKS! Don’t give up on your claim and make sure you keep fighting. We wanted to give up so many times I can’t count all of them but finally his claim was approved after 6 years. It doesn’t make up for all the suffering in between but when your claim is approved you’ll have vindication along with acknowledgment that the rest of your life matters as much as it did when the country needed you.
Why do we allow high government officials in the US to hold dual citizenship with Israel? Who do they really serve? 9/11 was an inside job. What made building 7 fall? Follow the insurance money paid out on the trade towers.
Since when do Big Banks owned by Jews run the FEDeral reserve, in control enough to have the US taxpayers bail THEM out as we see homeless vets on the street?
Israel is the enemy.
They control big media.
2 % of the people in the US are jewish. 40% of the us supreme court is jewish.
How many veterans are on the supreme court?
If telling the truth makes me antisimentic so be it.
Stop fighting wars for israel and PIG OIL.
For 3 decades I like others have served without Question or Prefigure. I have seen how we (soldiers) benefits have been trimmed over and over again. I have yet to see an of our Leaders of This Great Country display an ounce of true Leadership in joining us (soldiers) by taking a cut in Benefits or Pay to help set this country on the right path of worldly leadership. Greed runs Ramped in irresponsible lanes!
7% of the house is jewish but only 2% of the population is.
Add the senate which is 23% jewish.
Where are the native americans?
Mick and Wallytron,
Thank you for your comments. It is time to demand that ALL AID to Israel must end starting immeditely.
Dont trust the so called “liberal Democrats”. All Democrats and various Jewish organizations have waged attacks on Senator Rand Paul for coming forward to end aid to Israel. All politicians who are for Israel must step down.
We need people who support American citizens and who take care of all soldiers and veterans not just Jews in the military.
Yes, Israel is our enemy and all who support Israel are America’s enemies.
Wake up America!
JKR,
Learn about David Duke before you jump to conclusion. He is not the person mainstream media wants you to believe he is.
Yes he deserves the same platform as any other great American. More than 60% of White people and more than 2% of minorities believe so.
Look at what 2% of Jews have done to America and the world and immagine what 50% of Whites can do if they allowed people like David Duke on the mainstream platform which is prevented by the Jews. All animosity against David Duke is created by Jews who are afraid of his popularity.
Do you work for the ADL or SPLC by the way?
O.K. Mr. Duke is an opportunistic type that plays roles for profit. He is nothing other than a con artist.
Do any of the respondents that are making references to religion understand it has nothing to do with the issue. This is a case of an elected member of congress moving to do real damage to Vets and their families.
We as Vets must gather lawful resources to see to it that Ms. Bachmann is removed from office via the vote.
Dale R. Suiter
Thank you Dale! This isn’t about anything other than ALL veterans being threatened again by an elected official. Unite on the basis of being veterans because in the end that is what really matters on this issue.
Sorry to say this, but if Bachmann continues to rant,rave and dump on us peons
she could end up being a target. Target of what..I don’t know. Is that a bullseye
on her heartless heart ? Or is it just a ballot target that shows the name of
the next person that will win her seat. Your guess is as good as mine. Dump on
us vets and you will won’t be serving another term. Maybe we can get Jesse
Ventura to run against her……..LAND SLIDE !!! Semper Fi.
How did this exchange of words start with a crazy woman and end up insulting Jewish people? I am a Jew and proud to be a Jew. I also served in the Vietnam War from 1969-1970. The remarks made against Jewish people are hate filled diatribe. Veterans of all people should know better.
Thank you, very much for your service to the United States of America. I regret the insults to you as a Marine and to people of the Jewish Faith. I agree, Veterans of all people should know better.
Respectfully
Dale R. Suiter
The other debates going on on this site sometimes carry over to other posts but I stay out of them. My issue has been and always will be ALL Veterans. I am sorry that some people want to put their two cents in no matter if it belongs or not but that is what happens with free speech. The bulk of the comments here stay on point but I am sorry for the few you felt insulted by.
usmcvietvet,
Bachman has to be defeated politically by supporting politicians who stand up for America and Americans which means politicians who stop aid to Israel and instead use billions of dollars [the US government gives to Israel every year] to take care of soldiers and veterans.
It is wise to be careful about words but take decisive action against all traitors by voting them out of political office. These traitors have taken care of Israel at the expense of America.
No more wars for Israel and no more aid to Israel.
Dale Suiter said:
“O.K. Mr. Duke is an opportunistic type that plays roles for profit. He is nothing other than a con artist.”
Even if your statement is true, David Duke cannot be worse than Diana Feinstein who according to Michael Savage has given millions of tax payer dollars to another agency to help her spouse’s real estate buisness. Michael Chertoff has made millions of dollars by selling TSA cameras that expose Americans to lethal radiation at airports. Is this man better than David Duke?
Provide facts to support your statement that “David Duke is a con artist”.
Please see Tyler Bridges “The Rise of David Duke, a biography of Duke’s early years”. In brief:
“David Duke has been a professional racist
… but it also been a way for him to get
money from his followers. It is how he makes
a living. Duke has spent … his … career
living off .. strangers … who thought he
was … their champion.”
Not about David Duke or politicians. It is about real Vets who are hurting and legislative moves to destroy their standard of living. Ms. Bachmann – to her credit has made it very clear that she supports taking benefits away from the wounded. Her position is very easy to understand – as noted above it is posted, very clearly on her officail, congressional website. My view is that because of her proposal to hurt Vets – she needs to be lawfully defeated in the next election.
Respectfully
Dale R. Suiter
Note: Please do not allow this important issue to deginerate into side issues.
DRS
Dail Suiter,
Are bankers who are foreclosing on millions of American homes con artists and how about the mortgaged backed security fraud–are those involved in that racket con artists?
Let us be fair Dale Suiter. As a military man [if you are one] you should be really careful to back your statements with facts without just slandering people like Dr David Duke.
And also as an American you need to educate yourself about real con artists without repeating like a parrot what the lying and dying mainstream media tells you.
Do you know who the richest people in the congress are?
Have you read Mark Dankoff’s and Philip Giraldi’s articles about how the Homeland Security department in the state of PA hired an Israeli foreign agency approved by the Gov Ed Randell to spy on American citizens and Mossad spying in America while also acting as American CIA? Are these people con agents and criminals or what?
Let us hear from you why you resorted to slandering Dr David Duke while ignoring the real criminals and con agents.
I am concerned with Ms. Bachmann’s efforts towards taking benefits from Vets.
O.K. you found me out. I am a Veteran of the 1250th Mess Kit Repair Battalion, Rivet Company, Rivetor Platoon, 26th Squad. Tough duty only the strong coped with it.
Regards
Dale R. Suiter
no dual citizenships should be allowed to hold us office.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVz2N-yJxUo&feature=player_embedded#
watch this video if you don’t think I$rael controls the US
wallytron, jerry bolduc, Mick,
Visit the following websites:
Ugly Truth, Real Zionist News, My Name is Joe Cortina where you can participate in the forum and express your views.
Joe Cortina is a Vet.
Chaplain Kathy,
We need all different debates. Veterans should have the liberty to engage in any debate and/or visit any other sites they wish not just Veterans Today.
I see that my 5:38 pm post[is still awaiting moderation. Some people play games and others watch them. We monitor deceptive behaviors and outright lies and manipulation and feel sorry for what some veterans are going through and the very little help they are getting because of fraud and spinelessness of those who still want to pander to special interest groups and are afraid of the real truth.
chaplain kathy,
USS Liberty survivors had to endure pain for years because the US government and the military wanted them to live in a closet in silence because there were too many people like you and Dale Suiter and none like me,Wollytron, Jerry Bolduc or Mick.
There are people who want Phil Turney to shut up and go away even today and UsS Liberty survivors are still awaiting justice.
Are you lamenting about people having free speech rights in America when they want to speak freely what they want instead of saying what you want to hear?
“The other debate” that is going on here [and possibly there] is relevant because Israel is receiving billions of dollars from tax payers and because Israel has got us into unnecessary wars and Michell Bachman is a Israel firster. Do you see how everything is connected and that money we give Israel can be used to take care of our veterans.
D Costa, #1 I do not approve or disapprove of comments but even if I did, considering how many comments you do have up, I find this accusation of “playing games” ridiculous. You can talk about David Duke all you want, or anything else you want, just like the rest of us, but when you make comments that have nothing to do with the subject it does not help your cause.
I care about ALL veterans and not just the ones you think are worthy. Marine326rvn6970 felt he had to voice his feelings as a Jew because of all the comments made against Jewish people. While there are plenty of other places on this site where your views fit perfectly, your views on this topic are hurtful to other veterans looking to learn more about what Bachmann said. Again it’s up to you to post what and where you want and I also have the right to tell you that I don’t think it is within subject matter. Free speech works two ways. Your free speech does not trump mine.
The other part of your comment will not be responded to by me since it will only return focus back to you instead of veterans being betrayed once again by a politician.
Bravo!
The US President Johnson, who received a silver star for flying over the ocean, caved in to I$rael and called back the navy pilots from coming to the rescue of the US Liberty. I$rael took over the US in 1967
l
Dale Suiter,
Wayne Madsen recently published an article that said Rham Emmanuel’s father was a terrorist and he was Obama’s chief of staff [who sent people he didnt like dead fish] who is now trying to be the mayor of Chicago. You will not have guts to talk about this criminal but you are so willing to slander David Duke.
Please see comments above. It is vital we concern our efforts to maintaing the benefits Vets have. Very easy to go backwards folks. If son, lots of dependents and their Vets are going to really be hurt.
Best personal regards
Dale R. Suiter
David Duke is no different than Bachmann. Wake up!
Are you a member of the KKK, John Birch Society, Fox News?
The article is about Veterans benefits. So to those of you who lack the intelligence to comment about the subject at issue, spew your hate filled speech at Fox News et al.
I thought Duke was dead.
me too
Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) Another stupid politician that does not understand the military system and those who serve. Cut their benefits and office terms.
The military in Egypt has to choose between serving their people or serving their corrupt government. Our military will be faced with the same decision to make in the future.
Let us all hope it does not come to that. But if so it must be through non-violence. The Wall has a bit of every Vietnam Veteran placed upon it’s bleak surface. As well as the family members of of those whose names are there. Those brave troops deserve to know the nation they paid the ultimate price for does not resort to violence. Bachmann’s will come and go, fools. Remember and never forget who really counts, The Veteran, regardless of color, creed, religion or political partys.
So to you hate mongering fools try thinking before you dishonor our troops and our veterans.
This is from her site. Imagine what the veterans and their families feel like knowing someone like her betrayed their trust.
It appears to be a contradiction from what she wants to cut.
I ould not believe anything the woman says.
IMPORTANT – Follow Up
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—————————————————————
Summary: 21st-century Vietnam Veterans
Category Level 1: Department of Defense
Category Level 2: DoD Current Events in the News
Date Created: 12/27/2009 04:50 PM
Last Updated: 12/27/2009 04:50 PM
Status: Unresolved
Discussion Thread
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Customer (Peter Faatz) – 12/27/2009 04:50 PM
Reference: 351/21 PTSD
Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 162/ Monday, August 24, 2009/Proposed Rules
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
38CFR Part 3 RIN 2900-AN32 Stressor Determinations for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs.
STATUS: Proposed Rule, VA Policy Staff is working on the draft Final with the Office of General Council and to be in circulation for approval in 2010.
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This updated revision pretty well sums up the archaic view of the current official diagnoses by VA”examiners” in their determination that PTSD brain impairment/injuries are based on specific MOS and fully-documented battlefield involvement instances and as incurred by ex-Vietnam soldiers only.
Please, with all the evidence we have to-date, why the need to have “us” Vietnam soldiers provide proof of evidence in terms of this absolute VA defined Vietnam PTSD exposure definition and as administered through your “contractor” examiner-inquisition.
What is the need to prove and expose us as “liars, ignorant and stupid”. This, to permanently
and in affinity brand us with that scarlet-letter “Vietnam-War-Hero”? You don’t believe your own analysts, but hire outside “contractors-for-profit” psychiatrists to provide denial-proof statements on PTSD application requests as submitted by Vietnam veterans. They were well aware that I could-not define and recite the exact VA definition of PTSD.
I could only explain it in terms of what I actual saw …what I experienced …and what forever is ingrained in my memory, in my reactions and in my brain.
I nevertheless learned to survive it, and lived through it for the past 43+plus years. I’m not afraid anymore to die with it, as the time when I was crazy enough to volunteer not to be afraid to die in Vietnam for my country. I am only sorry what I missed out on what our now returning heroes are rewarded with, whereas us Vietnam War soldiers are still excluded and punished for.
I experienced the above referenced interrogation of my medical motives and application for PTSD benefits by your “contractor” through a series of self-incriminating questions and than politely asked to seal the “Official VA Definition” of PTSD sentence on my forehead. This in their dark and dungeon depressing psychiatric intimidating offices, in a verbal psychological match between these self-important “PhD’s” on one side, and one skinny ignoramus E-4 on the other side. Each one of these PhD’s furiously recording every word, eye movement, hand movement, facial expression, seat movements and god knows what other body movement and other physical incriminating evidence.
What is so difficult to place us in the same category of Today’s Heroes. Use your documented medical records on file today. Check out the units I were attached to, where these units were located, who they provided support to, what their missions were and battles these units have encountered and suffered through. This the other and less glorious and hidden side of the page.
If nothing else check the written and obligated Vietnam war objective of my Division, my Brigade, my CO and BN and my sworn Oath-of-Service.
FAATZ, PETER J
RA18660136
O
PROTESTANT
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“It’s time to give our veterans a 21st-century VA. Over the past few months we’ve made much progress towards that end, and today I’m pleased to announce some new progress”
THE WHITE HOUSE
How does the Vietnam Veteran fit in this new formula.
Why are we still overlooked, shamed and denigrated to the dark side of this new psychology. Where are our heroes and leaders from the past to pick up this torn and stepped-on flag belonging to my generation of our fallen and forgotten soldiers.
I served in Vietnam in 1965 and 1966 with the 1st Infantry Division 3d Brigade 33d ARTY and was attached/embedded to the 2/28 Infantry HQ Company/ Black Lions of Cantigny, as an artillery-forward observer and radio operator. We operated from our base camp in Lai Khe, Vietnam just north of the “Iron Triangle”.
Although I was directly involved within the-midst of the battles of Ap-Bau Bang, Trunghoi, Ap-Nha Mat, Tan Bin and LoKe calling in fire missions for my infantry group I worked with, but since I had an Artillery-MOS and not an Infantry or Special Forces MOS I am not considered eligible for PTSD disability because as an Artillery MOS trained person I am not eligible for the combat-badge which is automatically earned by combat tested soldiers, and which makes it eligible to apply for PTSD benefits.
Artillery forward-observers are not defined within the “category” of direct combat association/ involvement, because “we” (us artillery-FOs) are not within the definition that earns one a combat-badge or Purple Heart.
I picked-up lifeless and wounded companions in a forced withdrawal so they would not be left behind, but because I can’t remember the names of the souls I loaded in my 3/4 ton radio-truck in this fury of explosions, fire and flying debris, it still made me ineligible for battle involvement definitions. I heard crying and helpless soldiers calling for their mothers. In this same (Michelin Plantation) horror nightmare I was hit across the left side of my skull which left me unconscious, but because of the confusion and lack of follow-up evidence such as “actual death” it was not pursued up the administrative line. When I returned to base camp I can still see and hear other soldiers’ surprise looks and expressions of “…we were told that you were killed! ….that I was dead!??”.
For me these nightmare involvements remain within me today but I learned to deal with it in my own way. Although I try to suppress and forget it. For myself and numerous other Vietnam war soldiers we are still denied existence and looked down upon as nothing or maybe an anomaly, a bad and misunderstood after-thought and definitely not part of the real picture. Is it because we are considered a liability now. 44 years later we are now a nightmare residue of over 500,000 shadows (vs. the 100,000 Iraq-Afghanistan recognized heroes). Is the provided VA (psychiatric) assistance a lobotomy approach and a way to erase… a “bad dream” and/or an owed “political” liability. (Two birds with one stone….).
I can still remember, when I came home, during the 1960s’ demonstrations, the looks, the spit on my clothes, the demeaning looks and the denial of employment by employers if I admitted that I was a Vietnam veteran or, wearing my Class-A uniform which I was so proud off, and forewarned by my wife not to wear it, and too naive to believe it. What I just don’t understand is why VA today is still appearing to deny us not withstanding the amazing medical and “mental” assistance they are providing soldiers coming home today. With all the research and positive proof of the Vietnam realities why are we still denied today…why..? This is a bitter pill to swallow.
Scarred DNA cannot be changed. They can be suppressed, ignored or eliminated. All three methods have been tried by other vindictive regimes. Most recent examples, Cambodia, the Hitler Regime. Don’t let our country become like them, even if done in a “benevolent” way, as with pills, sweet talk and a warm pat on the back. We just want the same benefits so we can take care of ourself and our families. History will judge.
I swear in the name of God that I am telling the truth. I am now 67 seven years old, my mind is of the same age. I am very worried that over time it will diminish in memory also. I am stating this because if I wait any longer I will not be able to recall the details at a later period. I understand that an answer wont be forthcoming, or, even an acknowledgment, but I do want to go on record now that what I have stated is the truth and nothing but the truth, and I pray for all of us to read see and believe.
Don’t brand us now, thirty or forty years later as liars, homeless and free loaders. Please we need help we can’t defend our self now. The spirit is gone.
Sincerely Yours and God Bless Us All.
Peter J. Faatz
Elk City, OK 73644
602 N Randall Ave
580-225-6363
peterfaatz@yahoo.com
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STRESS LETTER – These symptoms have been so much part of my life that I didn’t recognize them as being out of the ordinary.
1- LIFE BEFORE SERVICE:
My family background is traditional and based on a nuclear family – having both mother and father living under the same roof, which extended my parents friends, and my friends parents. Family picnics and get-together with friends at the Sterling reservoir to go boating, swimming and fishing. I graduated from HS and attended the local Jr-College of North Eastern Junior College of Colorado.
In 1962 (my first year) I flunked out because I’d rather played than take school serious. I got a part time job and bought a 1949 Pontiac clunker for $50.00. I met my current sweetheart and thought the summers would never end until reality caught up.
2- LIFE DURING MILITARY SERVICE:
In February 1963 I married the only person I ever loved (and still married to today).
I joined the ARMY in April of 1963. Took my basic in Fort Polk, La., and finished my advanced training in Fort Sill, OK. The Army wasted no time of my talents and shipped me to Korea 1st Cavalry Div 82nd ARTY, to serve a year in the DMZ Zone, on alert status in a prospective war-zone. I remember the call to mobilization of our division with the assassination of our President Jack Kennedy. In this one-year tour I became a trained and indestructible super confident warrior.
I returned to the States for assignment with the 1st Infantry Div 33d ARTY at Fort Riley, Kansas, and joined my wife in the best and most memorable term of duty in my life. My first born boy was delivered at the Army-base hospital. Due to a paper mix up my wife had the privilege of being assigned to the E-7 Ward of the due-to-deliver pregnant ladies instead of the enlisted ward in the basement. Needless to say my ego changed me to a super warrior indestructible and fearless. I never was more ready and eager to join the new war. After the first deployment of the Marines to Da-Nang in the north, our brigades were deployed to Vietnam Our 3rd BDE to dig in north of the Iron Triangle and north of Saigon.
My life after this war has never been the same since then. The experiences of horror, death and survival campaigns were forever engraved in my memories DNA and changed my behavior for ever.
3. LIFE AFTER MILITARY SERVICE
When I returned to the States, my confidence and over the horizon outlook on life seemed to have evaporated. It was not until 2005 that I became cognisant of this hopeless attitude in my life since 1966. All I could assume on this negative feeling that it was part of my nature or makeup and to swallow it.
That all of this hopelessness and facilitating thoughts were induced memory and counter-reactions which merged and tried to balance my every day mores and at the same time were totally unaware that the war since long had ended. Much later I learned to counter this negative acceptance thinking that it was o.k. to bow to defeat and to move on with my life. This was the bitter pill to swallowed every time I encountered it. The result which I truly believe is that I compromised my good and positive believes by walking away from the depressing, threatening and/or negative atmosphere of most of my places of employment. My justification were the relieving and non-pressing feeling of walking away, and internally knowingly thinking that I will find another place of employment, even if it meant
a change of professions, which I did do.
For almost forty years I lived in this maze which I believed or thought as natural and normal. I now know and believe that 90% of my inferior believe, in achievement and pride, contributed to the root-cause of the many of my prior job losses. The economic down turn in the last 10 years only made me feel that I contributed to the problem as I struggled with this embedded feeling of fear and self worthlessness.
I will never know at this pointed crossroad of my full potential and achievement horizon because of a bad but real dream.
VA File No. 22-978-718
Peter J. Faatz
602 N Randall Ave
Elk City, OK 73644
580-225-6363
peterfaatz@yahoo.com
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Auto-Response – 12/27/2009 04:50 PM
Title: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) not qualified for Purple Heart award
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