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Old 06-09-2008, 07:32 AM
 
Location: Y-Town Area
4,009 posts, read 5,723,501 times
Reputation: 3499

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John McCain, who is refusing to vote for the GI Bill for our troops because "it's too generous," is himself getting $58,000 a year, tax-free, from the US government for his military service. Had McCain been getting that amount every year since Vietnam, that would total $2,000,000 for the man who isn't into overgenerous government.

McCain campaign strategist Mark Salter said Monday night that McCain was technically disabled. "Tortured for his country .. that is how he acquired his disability," Salter said.

Technically? What does that mean? Usually, it means that under the strict reading of the law, you're covered, but in fact it's kind of a nudge-nudge-wink-wink situation - that's what "technically" means. It's called parsing, which is something you do to "technically" claim something is true, when on its face it really isn't. So is McCain "technically" disabled, and taking $58,000 a year tax free from the government, or is he actually disabled? I would imagine there are other solders who are actually disabled who could use the money. And if he is actually disabled, just how disabled is he?
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:36 AM
 
35,016 posts, read 39,095,675 times
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Is this your source?

Why is McCain getting $58,000 a year in disability income?
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:39 AM
 
Location: Washington, DC
540 posts, read 961,636 times
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I'm not gonna spend the time to look up all of the issues, but the man can not raise his arms above his head because his shoulders were broken, and the melanoma that he had was most likely from the severe sun burns that he received while being left outswide for extensive periods of time as a POW.

And, once again, he has no issue with giving generously to the troops. He does, however, take issue with providing them with incentives to not re-enlist.

Last edited by trzlucky; 06-09-2008 at 07:40 AM.. Reason: grammer
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:45 AM
 
Location: Virginia
136 posts, read 514,982 times
Reputation: 52
Well, he probably has not received that amount from the beginning since there is a raise in disablility benefits annually due to cost of living, dependents being added or removed also changed the amount. Yes, he is most likely entitled to this disability and many other veterans are and receive it. That is an unbelievable amount and for someone who does not really need the money it seems rediculous. But it is a benefit that is not just given away and they rate your disability with caution. There are a lot of veterans, more then you know that receive these benefits at different ratings which pay out different amounts depending on your percentage of disability. A service connected disability is something that a veteran should be compensated for since they were serving our country. It has nothing to do with the GI bill and these are two completely different subjects. However, the GI bill is very important as well.
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:47 AM
 
19,922 posts, read 11,025,649 times
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I am NOT a McCain fan at all, but he is truly a disabled veteran and if that is the compensation that he has earned for his service to the country, so be it.

That being said, EVERY service member who was disabled in service to our country also deserves compensation and treatment and currently, the VA plays games during the application process. They take so long and provide such confusing instruction to our veterans that sometimes, they just give up and stop seeking the benefits they deserve. My son has returned from the gulf with MINOR disabilities and the games played border on criminal. For example, letting him know 48 hours before an appointment that he must keep, causing him to request yet another day off from work, travel over an hour to get to the VA clinic, only to get there to answer four verbal questions that he could have answered over the phone! This is the game they play to weed out vets who will just drop out and not pursue what they have earned and it's shameful.

ANY veteran who is disabled in service, even John McCain, deserves benefits and care. I hope McCain's refusal to support the G.I. Bill is remembered by everyone who ever wore the uniform - or knows someone who did - and votes!
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:52 AM
 
69,368 posts, read 64,001,245 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kerby W-R View Post
John McCain, who is refusing to vote for the GI Bill for our troops because "it's too generous," is himself getting $58,000 a year, tax-free, from the US government for his military service. Had McCain been getting that amount every year since Vietnam, that would total $2,000,000 for the man who isn't into overgenerous government.

McCain campaign strategist Mark Salter said Monday night that McCain was technically disabled. "Tortured for his country .. that is how he acquired his disability," Salter said.

Technically? What does that mean? Usually, it means that under the strict reading of the law, you're covered, but in fact it's kind of a nudge-nudge-wink-wink situation - that's what "technically" means. It's called parsing, which is something you do to "technically" claim something is true, when on its face it really isn't. So is McCain "technically" disabled, and taking $58,000 a year tax free from the government, or is he actually disabled? I would imagine there are other solders who are actually disabled who could use the money. And if he is actually disabled, just how disabled is he?
Are you trying to argue that he's not disabled? Are you trying to say that even if he is, that he's not entitled to benefits that Democrats are entitled to? Is McCain getting any special treatment and payment that other military personal is receiving? Or is the point of your story, that McCain thinks that $58,000 a year is to generous, because if military personal who become disabled receive over $50,000 a year in payment, and the GI Bill calls for even more, I'd say thats pretty generous.

Thanks for reminding me again about how great of an american McCain is.
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:54 AM
 
Location: Atlanta, GA
2,290 posts, read 5,537,444 times
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I have no problem with an honorably discharged veteran receiving disability. No problem at all. They did what their government asked of them; they were injured because of it; and it's owed to them.

That said, it's fair to ask whether Senator McCain's benefits are greater than others' due to his prominence and stature.
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:55 AM
 
35,016 posts, read 39,095,675 times
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I'm not saying it's fair that a guy who earned $405K in 2007, that he should be accepting or not accepting this $58K. Maybe he sets it aside to do good works for veterans. Or not, it's his money and his business. Maybe someone will ask him about it during a town hall meeting.

But just some info: this (tax-free) amount, $4K/mo., is only slightly more than what badly wounded vets are eligible for today, 40 years later.
Veteran Disability Compensation - Military Benefits - Military.com

That's pretty good of the military IMO.
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:58 AM
 
Location: Virginia
136 posts, read 514,982 times
Reputation: 52
Quote:
Originally Posted by backfist View Post
I have no problem with an honorably discharged veteran receiving disability. No problem at all. They did what their government asked of them; they were injured because of it; and it's owed to them.

That said, it's fair to ask whether Senator McCain's benefits are greater than others' due to his prominence and stature.
If he has been receiving these benefits since the 70's depending on his percentage of disability, he most definately could be receiving that amount and it is not due to his stature. That should give you an idea of what the expense is for our government to pay out in disability.
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Old 06-09-2008, 07:59 AM
 
69,368 posts, read 64,001,245 times
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If anything, it points out a problem with the military payment plan. Should soemone who earned $400K a year, be allowed or entitled to collect disability from the military? Individuals on SSI cant go get a job and earn $400K a year, even if they are disabled, why should members of the military be any different?
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