Republicans are in shock that President Obama is insisting that benefits for disabled people and veterans not be cut, while House Republicans are coming out against a fiscal cliff deal.
An important detail was buried four paragraphs from the bottom of the New York Times write up of Obama’s latest fiscal cliff proposal, “The president is also insisting on some protections for what he has called the “most vulnerable populations,” which Republican aides said they had not been expecting. The new inflation calculations, for instance, would probably not affect wounded veterans and disabled people on Supplemental Security Income. And Mr. Obama is sticking by his request for additional upfront spending on infrastructure and an extension of expiring unemployment benefits.”
Republicans were actually taken by surprise by the fact that Obama won’t go along with cutting benefits for disabled veterans. Let that sink in for a minute. Republicans fully expected this president, the Democratic Party, and the American people to support a benefits cut for disabled veterans.
Although, Speaker Boehner claims that he is not giving up on negotiations with the president, he is also moving forward on his own “Plan B.” The Boehner plan is a right wing fantasy that has absolutely zero chance of passing the Senate, and a less than zero chance of being signed by President Obama.
Sen. Bernie Sanders has argued that the chained CPI change that Boehner is pushing would be devastating for young disabled vets of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, “The largest cuts in benefits would impact young permanently disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the Social Security Administration, permanently disabled veterans who started receiving VA disability benefits at age 30 would see their benefits cut by more than $1,300 a year at age 45; $1,800 a year at age 55; and $2,260 a year at age 65.”
The chained CPI is bad policy, but what Republicans are proposing is nothing less than an unpatriotic attack on the benefits that have been earned by disabled veterans. The fact that Republicans would even propose such a cut speaks volumes about how much they really value the sacrifice made by those who served their country.
The far left and the far right a.k.a. the my way or no way twins of American politics were already throwing tantrums over Obama’s latest proposal, but polling reveals that 66% of Americans want both Obama and Boehner to compromise on their principles and beliefs to make a deal. Each side will have to give something for a compromise to be reached, but any deal should not include benefit cuts to disabled veterans.
The Sanders led campaign against disabled veterans benefits cuts is working. President Obama has heard those of you who have said no to Boehner’s plan. There is still work to be done. The pressure must be kept up, and you can do your part by signing this petition telling Congress no cuts to benefits for disabled veterans.
PoliticusUSA
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Anne
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 12:34 pm
He should continue to say no to anything that further disenfranchises our most vulnerable citizens whether they are the poor, the elderly, the disabled whether veterans or not, and children. These bozos act endlessly surprised at his refusal to go along with their toxice nonsense. This is both because they expect the president to be more flexible about what they want than the other way around, and because they are too blinded by their ideology to admit it’s not what most Americans want. They love to use Americans in war, but not to help them get on their feet or have the best possible quality of life in spite of any disability they incurred fighting these wars.
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janice mcmann
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 4:22 pm
No cuts to Vets,S.S medicare or any other cuts for medicad middle class disabled and poor have paid enough for the rich to get richer off these peoples backs,Stick to the tax breaks for people making under 250 thousand a year, That is what Obama promised the people and that is why we voted for him. Tell Boehner to cut his pay and his entitlements He doesn’t care a hoot about the middle class and the poor,
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Mike Anthony
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 2:38 pm
Republicans sent young men and women into harm’s way. To fight not one, but TWO needless, senseless wars. When these soldiers, these patriots, are sent home after having been wounded in combat, the same Republicans want nothing to do with them, and hopes to strip them of as much money as possible.
Greedy Opinionated People. That’s what the GOP really stands for. Don’t back down President Obama. We’re with you all the way!
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Mel Haun Sr
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
To cut anything if there are not drastic cuts to the so called defense budget and its associated budgets is madness. Thta is where the fluff is.
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Ken
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 5:03 pm
Cut Politicians Pay, Health care and pensions.
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Tammi B
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Thank-you Ken for stating what I have been writing to various politicians about this past month. We Americans must take our country back from the egomaniac politicians. If you are a elected politician you must: a)pay for your retirement just as the middle class have b)pay towards your medical plan c)you receive SS just like the rest of us Americans and not have a separate plan just because you were elected for a couple of years. The rich just keep getting richer and the poor just keep getting poor. The middle class is the backbone of this country and Washington, DC is suppose to be brain. Well, if the back collapses guess what? the brain has no support. Start using your brain Washington (Boehner). Tax paying Americans ARE NOT to be used as your personal silk lining of your pockets but to be respected. Remember Washington, YOU WORK FOR THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES, WE DO NOT WORK FOR YOU…or do we?
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JAMES LOUIS BELL
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
if im a disabled republican war vet, why in the world would i want my disabilty check to get smaller… especially if this is my only means of income. im bound to rethink my political choice toward democrat, thank you obama
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Rodney
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 7:18 pm
This idiot “Leader” has threatened to hold up payments for vets and seniors at every financial issue, reduce medical care for vets and he cares nothing for the military personnel, vets, or aged and you are willing to trust him on this? Just another bold faced lie and empty promise to distract from the fact he wants to have absolute power over everyone. He cares nothing at all for us.
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forest wall
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 9:46 pm
Your The Idiot. Rodney, Boehner Is The One Wants The Cuts disabled veterans dumb Ass!!!!
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steve
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Seriously? Do you believe the garbage you are spewing from your mouth? It’s the right wing crazies like you who don’t have a clue and would drive us to extinction if we left it to you. IDIOT!
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Joe Mar
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 11:04 am
Do you ever watch news? If yes, I hope it’s not FOXNEWS… Coz what you get from them is nada, mostly lies… Better watch all Cable news, from ABC,CNN or CNBC, Do not watch MSNBC coz most of them are more far left… Read News or whatever… Coz I can see, your comment here, shows you’re mis-informed…
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buck
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 11:37 am
Rodney, it amazes me how sheepish you sound; just typical conservative fluff. The party of the people is the Democratic side. The party of the rich is the GOP. The veterans of this nation deserve all they have sacrificed for. The GOP only cares about their invested interests (monetary) not the military personnel that deploy for their sake and are disabled because of it. When the aftermath of war is over the GOP turns it’s back on those who have been forever scared by these events. The GOP controls the military industrial complex and people like Chaney get richer from it; hence Brown and Root subordinate to Haliburton!!!
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Andy
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 7:40 pm
Let Boehner prove he is really for cuts and make the cuts effect himself and fellow republicans first. Cut congressional salaries minimum 33% and their staff. Eliminate retirement pay entirely. Working for a few years does not earn you a retirement on the taxpayers dime. Make their health insurance the same as any other Federal employee.
Until their own pockets are on the chopping block 1st, then no one in congress has he right to cut other peoples jobs.
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Wayne
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 9:15 pm
This really enrages me. I’m a disabled Navy veteran. The guys that got hurt in Iraq & Afghanistan deserve every penny they get.By the way, Wounded Warrior Project is a great organization, but what a shame they even need to exist. The government should be taking better care of wounded vets. The non-veteran chicken hawks send the kids off to die, but damn them for coming back injured.v That’s expensive. GOP non-vet vermin disgust me. MEANS TESTING FOR CONGRESS!!!
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Susan
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
while the Republican continue to disgust me, I can no longer be shocked by their crass treatment of most Americans – much more than 47%. It seems there are so many ways to get out of the financial mess they created, but they want to choose ways that are painful, maybe even deadly, for the vulnerable. Their only answer is a question, “Can we get more than a pound of flesh from everyday Americans?” War veterans, the elderly, the disabled, the working poor, the middle class, children. Who is safe from these people besides the top 2%? It is my hope that enough of them get voted out in 2014 so that this country can get back to some sane lawmaking.
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hoppy
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
How on earth can you cut benefits on disabled veterans? really? if they were fighting for America? hmmm? throwing them under the bus… where are we heading to???
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Mario
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
I am a Navy disabled veteran… When I joined the military, I wanted to try something new and different. Everyday, I saw people going to medical with different injuries and some say still bothers them till this very day. I have a problem with someone who has never put on the uniform and constantly bickers that we are not worth the VA disability that we get paid. I’ve served in a combat zone and combat training that I’ve gotten VA disability from. Some of the issues that Republicans have asked the president to cut further shows me that it is hard to vote for their political party. You asked your military to go in. E harm’s way to defend democracy. However, you say after we return from combat that we aren’t worth the money that is given to us. Why don’t they give up the pension they are paid after they leave office instead of hounding the president about VA disability. It just goes to show what these people really think of us and our sacrifices we have made.
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The One True Dave
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
The Great Obstacles of Progress just love us troops, until we’re too broken to be pretty set dressing behind them at photo ops.
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Dorita Gordon
Dec. 18th, 2012 at 11:49 pm
I think congress should cut their own pay, not disabled veterans or SS recipients. Why don’t they cut their COLA out? They get 5% automatically…no vote required..but VAs budget has to be voted on every year…something is wrong with this picture….I’d like to see them give up their war chests when they leave office, their retirement cut down to the lowest level they want for the rest of us. These people are monsters…awful monsters….
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tese
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 12:00 am
veterans is a no brainer , but not all people on disability deserve it , i could give you the name of two men i used to work with right now that use and abuse the system . both get permanant disability checks each month , and have full time jobs that pay cash on the side , both lift heavy things and do things that they supposedly cant do or are not supposed to be doing ….
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Atsaguy
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 6:23 pm
Well turn them -don’t just talk about it…..they deserve to be punished for doing this and until someone knows nothing will be done…you brought this out in print now do something about it…
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Jerry Blackburn
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 1:19 am
We could have prevented this in 2010 when we had the chance. But we didn’t, and now we pay – for the next 8 years until 2020 when we will again, most likely, abdicate our most sacred voting duty and allow some lunatic fringe in to once again destroy the nation for 10 years. We will never recover from our surrender in 2010.
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Vaughn Adams
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 1:30 am
the republicans and john bohnner wants to end social security, medicare and medicade so that he is able to give his big campaign doners(millionares and billionares and trillionares) a big tax cut. social security, and medical care had nothing to do with our economic crash. that crash was done by bush and chenney and their republican cohorts, and now they want to cut what has been earned by the american people. everyone needs to end our republican terrorism, NOW.
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Mike Anthony
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 4:35 am
Is it possible to locate an exact amount, that was spent on the “Defense budget” in 2000, compared to 2012? Seeing as the US fought 2 wars in the time since 2000, i’d be curious just how much larger the defense budget is these days, compared to pre-9/11.
As soon as you say “We want to cut the Defense budget by x%”, Republicans argue that you are weakening the country’s defensive capability. The thing is thou, the Defense budget also goes to funding all the battles and wars that are fought in other country’s. And you can’t always say it’s “to defend the homeland”. When is the last time, an enemy combatant set foot on US soil? When has an enemy EVER set foot on US soil, other than during the Independence War against the British?
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philip hudgins
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 6:05 am
Extenxd the Bush tax cuts and taxes will not go up just as simple as that Millionaires earned the right to be classified as rich it is not fair to tax the rich I have faith in the Republican Party and i stand with congress not the Liberal in the W.H.
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Shiva (Moderator)
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 8:17 am
No, what you stand for is you paying full taxes while the rich pay far less a % then you. Dont you know what it feels like to be used by the GOP?
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william k
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 6:13 am
Mike Anthony,
Funny thing about the “defense budget” the one thing it does NOT fund any wars.
One reason why the country is so far in the red.
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Jerry Byrd
Dec. 19th, 2012 at 9:18 pm
Maybe this would be the solution. Place Politicians on a per hour pay scale, and have them punch in and out every day. Have a pre set budget for their office. Pay for their own postage, pay for their own meals, and transportation to and from their constituants. And have their constituants to vote on their hourly pay increases, or decreases based on what they privide to their constituants. If they improve their district’s by 10%, then they get that amount increased in their hourly pay.By the same token, if their district takes a dip in pay and benefits, they give up that percentage in pay. If they can’t live on their salaries, then let them have a food card. And when they get sick, they pay 20% of the bill, and when they leave office, their retirement is based just like the others in their didtrict, SS and Medicare/medicade. All monies left over from election campaigns must be returned to their state budgets. Plus do away with the demand spend budgets of all the different catagories. I remember once while in the Navy, I was handed a purchase order at noon on the last day of the quarter, and told to go to Servmart and spend it all and be back by 16:30, or our next quarterly budget would be cut by the savings. To me that’s like saying to your 3 kids, I’m going to give each of you $5.00 a week allowance, but if you don’t spend it all, and say you only spend $3.00, next week your allowance will be cut to $2.00 a week. There can be no doubt they will spend every penny of the $5.00 and beg for more.
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William Rist
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 2:21 pm
Instead of cutting benefits to veterans, we should start exposing greedy bankers and mortgage companies which are the real threat to America. The banks are sitting on toxic assets (houses), while no one wants to pay them interest that is to high.
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6ft8incyclist
Dec. 20th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
I am a Retired disabled vet over 20 year’s of active duty. I am rated at 40% the VA takes that amount out of my retirement check and gives it to me as my disability That is not even close to being right,,
I did not ask to get hurt serving my county… I should get both I am entitled to both not have my retirement Raped to pay for my disability…… President Obama tried to get that right when he first got into office but was blocked by the republicans in congress…
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Atsaguy
Dec. 21st, 2012 at 6:18 pm
“The largest cuts in benefits would impact young permanently disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the Social Security Administration, permanently disabled veterans who started receiving VA disability benefits at age 30 would see their benefits cut by more than $1,300 a year at age 45; $1,800 a year at age 55; and $2,260 a year at age 65.”
hey i got an idea…cut those idiots in Washington DC’s salary’s which are outrageous to begin with…these people should be ashamed!! They do not deserve what they get while in office much less when they retire after 4 years of doing nothing…..this is disgusting..God bless our men and women in the military…
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