Socialist Obama administration throws $5B tax money at veterans with PTSD

[Darnell 8,478]

I have no issue with this - the 'folk' who are responsible for evaluating 'baseless' claims are actually pretty good at their jobs. I'll put more faith in 'them', as they've proved up 'situational awareness' with 'this' task.

This is actually one section of bureaucracy I'm pleased with.

Edited July 8, 2010 by Darnell

[evli1966 88]

I'm just wondering about those of us who have PTSD from this economy!

HMMMMMM

I think I need to apply.

Wait until the war on Immigration heats up.

[^_^ 5,021]

That is pretty much what everyone else that works in the private sector gets.

Exactly. Government employee benefits are way out of line with the private sector. Bureaucrats, teachers, cops, soldiers, you name it. It's all in need of some serious trimming.

I have no issue with this - the 'folk' who are responsible for evaluating 'baseless' claims are actually pretty good at their jobs. I'll put more faith in 'them', as they've proved up 'situational awareness' with 'this' task.

This change will mean an exponential rise in the number of claims. That means hiring new staff. And you know what that means.

[Dan J 277]

Look at him! He looks like a ###.

They can still apply for PTSD benefits if they can prove it. Obama is basically saying, everyone come and get some! No evidence required. Shameful.

With the standard of proof required right now, its very difficult for those who need it to get help. They require records that may be hard to find or even destroyed. Not intentionally, but just a fact of life in a war zone.

[^_^ 5,021]

With the standard of proof required right now, its very difficult for those who need it to get help.

Difficult? Getting taxpayer funded bennies shouldn't be EASY!

[Dan J 277]

That is pretty much what everyone else that works in the private sector gets.

While true, we have put soldiers in a special place, giving them special benefits for their commitment to service. Even though often, at least in recent times, their job is not much more than a glorified policeman.

Difficult? Getting taxpayer funded bennies shouldn't be EASY!

But shouldn't be impossible due to circumstances beyond your control.

[rika60607 215]

Well, buying votes seems republican to me

Obama, if anything, is not buying votes, he's "hoping" that "fraudsters" who served the country (and you think military is full of fraudsters, apparently?) might say thank you by voting for him.

He is opening the door to fraud and hoping the fraudsters vote for him. Buying votes sounds socialist to me.

[rika60607 215]

If you ever approved of spending taxpayer's money on war, then you don't get to complain about spending taxpayers money on soldiers of that war.

But... but... this isn't a good use of taxpayer money. This is more of the socialism we've gotten used to from this Muslim communist homosexual President.

[slim 1,514]

It's a disgrace how many of our veterans end up on the streets.

Many of those veterans choose to be on the streets. There are a ######-ton of programs out there for vets and 9 times out of 10, the vets you see on the streets are the ones who've chosen to live a life on the streets instead of being the responsible person they were trained to be.

While PTSD may have something to do with that, the majority of vets on the streets won't be helped by PTSD monies or treatments unless they're coupled with some serious substance abuse treatments as well.

So does that make soldiers just mercenaries? They get paid to do a job, and after that, they are on their own?

Soldiers are contractually bound to our support after separation. When they enlist they sign up for benefits that continue even after their service is finished. Ever heard of the GI Bill? VA Health systems are similar in that a soldier's service may have qualified them for benefits later.

Civilian employees typically do not get the same benefits from their employer. They get COBRA, but that's about as close as it gets.

They can still apply for PTSD benefits if they can prove it. Obama is basically saying, everyone come and get some! No evidence required. Shameful.

VA is making it VERY EASY to get PTSD treatment now. I was in there a few weeks ago and they were pretty pushy with the questions "Are you sure you don't have dreams or flashbacks or anything like that? Are you sure? Never? OK. Are you sure?"

Part of that is they have to be pushy because PTSD has been taboo for a long time and we're just now starting to accept it for what it is. These macho soldiers who are full of bravado don't like to admit they have nightmares and stress that takes away from their work at Home Depot. While I'm sure the money allocated will get used (it is a govt. program, after all) I think a lot more will be put to folks who actually need it than to folks who are "scamming the system." I mean, what are they going to do, get free counseling?

That is pretty much what everyone else that works in the private sector gets.

People in the private sector don't sign a contract entitling them to benefits that extend out past their release date. If they did, they'd get the same benefits.

[^_^ 5,021]

People in the private sector don't sign a contract entitling them to benefits that extend out past their release date. If they did, they'd get the same benefits.

Do you hate labor unions?

[slim 1,514]

Do you hate labor unions?

Hate, no, but I often wonder how folks in a labor union can claim to be participants in a market economy.

[^_^ 5,021]

Hate, no, but I often wonder how folks in a labor union can claim to be participants in a market economy.

Would you rather be a participant in a market economy or secure for yourself and your family benefits past your employment date? Which comes first, abstract ideological constructs or your own flesh and blood?

[rika60607 215]

Legacy member, how did you come to be on this board at all?

You filed for nothing, your country of reference - fictional, you are in the USA.

you joined 2 months ago, you have tremendous number of posts.

WHY are you here?

(just asking, any truthful answer is fine!)

[slim 1,514]

Would you rather be a participant in a market economy or secure for yourself and your family benefits past your employment date? Which comes first, abstract ideological constructs or your own flesh and blood?

It is impossible to secure benefits for yourself and family in a market economy without securing that economy first. The problem with unions and their "security" is they didn't crunch the numbers correctly. They ran out of money. They didn't base their future pay on their future income or earnings, they based it on some made up number that seemed to make everyone happy. Everyone except the consumers. Businesses don't do well when consumers are unhappy. Their pensioners fare worse in that instance.

The VA will not run out of money. Ever.

For a good example of an awesome union, check out your buddies over at the rail roads. Now they did it right! "Who needs customers... we've got the government!"

[sly_wolf 199]

Legacy member, how did you come to be on this board at all?

You filed for nothing, your country of reference - fictional, you are in the USA.

you joined 2 months ago, you have tremendous number of posts.

WHY are you here?

(just asking, any truthful answer is fine!)

It must be Rush Limbaugh!