Obama Makes a Vow to Veterans, but Can He Keep It?

[white cloud]

By JAMES DAO
Late summer is the season of annual veterans service organization conventions, and this year, much to the chagrin of other groups vying for his attention, President Obama chose to address the American Legion in Minneapolis. Not surprisingly, with Washington focused on reducing the deficit, the president addressed the issue of possible cuts to veterans’ programs in his remarks.

“As a nation, we’re facing some tough choices as we put our fiscal house in order,” Mr. Obama told the legionnaires. “But I want to be absolutely clear: We cannot, we must not, we will not, balance the budget on the backs of our veterans. As commander in chief, I won’t allow it.”

>>>more
http://atwar.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/31/obama-makes-a-vow-to-veterans-but-can-he-keep-it/

[MannyGoldstein]

1. That statement promises nothing concrete.

"Shared sacrifice " would not count as violating that statement, for example.

[Maine_Nurse]

2. No one has kept that promise yet...

The VA has NEVER had the funding or facilities to do the job properly.

[GeorgeGist]

3. When Obama says '...I want to be absolutely clear ...'

he means 'I'm planning to disappoint you'.

[itsrobert]

4. He's already allowed cuts in the Post 9/11 GI Bill

They have cut about $300 a month from me in housing allowance. That's a big hit.

He is proposing to raise my Tricare Enrollment fees, co-pays, and prescription cost.

[unhappycamper]

5. ...

9.1.2011 --> http://www.stripes.com/blogs/stripes-central/stripes-central-1.8040/obama-we-will-not-balance-the-budget-on-the-backs-of-veterans-1.153771
9.7.2011 --> http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/09/ap-vets-upset-closing-remote-maine-clinic-090611/
9.8.2011 --> http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/story/2011-09-07/Proposed-changes-in-military-benefits-have-troops-worried/50305324/1
9.9.2011 --> http://www.military.com/news/article/vets-worry-about-future-of-new-gi-bill.html
9.9.2011 --> http://militaryadvantage.military.com/2011/09/tricare-medication-copayment-changes-coming/
9.10.2011 --> http://www.armytimes.com/news/2011/09/military-triwest-settlement-tricare-090911w/
9.10.2011 --> http://www.stripes.com/news/tricare-to-increase-some-co-payments-for-prescription-drugs-eliminate-others-1.154443
9.13.2011 --> http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/veterans-affairs-funeral-policy-inflames-veterans-groups-1.154933
9.20.2011 --> http://marinecorpstimes.com/news/2011/09/military-tricare-benefits-cuts-obama-091911w/
9.20.2011 --> http://www.stripes.com/news/obama-deficit-plan-would-re-examine-military-retirement-1.155558
9.29.2011 --> http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/military-retirees-our-hard-earned-benefits-should-be-off-limits-1.156384
9.30.2011 --> http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/09/ap-military-retirees-to-pay-higher-health-premiums-092911/
9.30.2011 --> http://www.military.com/news/article/military-retirees-tricare-fees-go-up-saturday.html?comp=700001075741&rank=2

[white cloud]

6. Thanks unhappy

All so we can have more of the Bush defecit, and tax cut extensions for the elite 1%
It all Obama fault!!! LOL