Veterans services aren't targeted for cuts

[unhappycamper]

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20121111/OPINION03/311110019/Veterans-services-aren-t-targeted-cuts


Veterans services aren't targeted for cuts
Written by
(TN) State Rep. Karen Camper

~snip~

First, claims that the upcoming mandated reductions to Pentagon spending will have a major impact on veterans and active military are not entirely accurate. President Obama has stated many times that military personnel and the Department of Veterans Affairs will be exempted from any cuts if sequestration occurs.

Second, this fear-mongering is really about protecting Pentagon and contractor profits, not protecting our military and veterans. Pentagon contracting firms have seen record profits and some of their CEOs make salaries that are on par with Wall Street executives. Additionally, the top five Pentagon contractors — Lockheed-Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics, Northrop Grumman and Raytheon — have reduced their employment rolls by more than 18,000 workers over the past six years, while their profits grew dramatically. They are also ramping up their spending on lobbying.

We need a Pentagon budget that addresses 21st-century threats to keep our nation safe and secure. We must protect and support the men and women serving in the military, and honor and support our veterans and military families. For example, for the cost of just one new nuclear submarine (which was designed to fight Cold War threats), we could provide body armor and bomb-resistant Humvees to all our troops overseas, as well as house and treat every homeless U.S. veteran, and still have $2.2 billion left over to pay down our debt. Our troops and security should come before pork-barrel programs.

Finally, veterans rely on programs that assist the middle class and the more vulnerable. These programs, ranging from SNAP/food stamps to heating and housing assistance, are also slated for cuts in the coming years. If Pentagon contractors get their way and are allowed to keep their profitable government contracts, these programs and others that serve our veterans, military families, and hard-working people all across Tennessee face even deeper cuts.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

1. Pull the other finger

Vets and those on active duty are going to take cuts like everything else funded by the Feds. Some in direct funding, others indirectly. Same with Federal employees and pass through funding to the states.