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To be fair, that's essentially what is done for everything. May as well be for vets.

Phil,
No disrespect intented....but I'm curious; What is your military background or experience? Personal? Family? VA employee? DoD civilian? I'm not preparing a personal attack, by any means - just want to understand your context/frame of reference.

I am reluctant to go too far down this road, so maybe I’ll try to be a little succinct….or not


I’m a bit uneasy with how far the pendulum has swung re national ‘attitudes’ towards veterans since the 70’s. Aside from some pockets of true idiocy in some high schools and colleges (mostly in CA?), the adoration of our veterans feels a little over the top at times. No, of course there shouldn’t be tens of thousands of homeless veterans. But there shouldn’t be hundreds of thousands of homeless people of any background. Of course veterans with service connected disabilities deserve quality care at our expense. But, as I said above, I don’t know what you want to spend money on, nor how much – and I don’t think that you do, either.

My uneasiness might stem from my confusion (or suspicion?) of motivation or rationale. I worry that a couple big reasons for the ‘national attitude’ lead me to question….IDK…validity…or authenticity…or ?? guess I can’t well explain or put my finger on it…But the two reasons I alluded to are a sense of national guilt of the way we treated Vietnam vets – guilt that may cause us to be unnaturally gracious to today’s vets; ...More importantly, I sense that as the vast majority of America becomes dissociated from military service, that people can subconsciously compensate by outwardly showing ‘appreciation’. In some ways, I think that an ALL volunteer force is no longer the best way to man our military ranks. I am convinced that compulsory service would bring a truer understanding of what it means to serve back to Joe American. I wouldn’t attribute this to any one individual, but collectively, it is too easy to say “thanks for your service, so I (and my kids) don’t have to.”

So…..I am opposed to any ‘solution’ that states “spend more” with no understanding of causes, requirements, costs, solutions, etc – not just for veterans….I’m even more prickly when someone with no connection or understanding of underlying problems or causes, says “we need massive spending increases”

“Support our veterans” has become a rallying cry of huge political proportions that means little, but people feel good when they say it or hear it. I suppose there’s something to be said for things that make us feel good, but I’m a grouch and have little interest in feeling good. I'd rather hear about causes and solutions

"So…..I am opposed to any ‘solution’ that states “spend more” with no understanding of causes, requirements, costs, solutions, etc"

^^ They do this all of the time in government. Without getting any further off topic, I will just say that I respect your opinions on the matter. You have some valid concerns.

......estimate= guess


es·ti·mate
verb
1.
roughly calculate or judge the value, number, quantity, or extent of:
"the aim is to estimate the effects of macroeconomic policy on the economy"
synonyms:
calculate roughly, approximate, guess, evaluate, judge, gauge, reckon, rate, determine, guesstimate, ballpark, consider, believe , deem
noun
1.
an approximate calculation or judgment of the value, number, quantity, or extent of something:
"at a rough estimate, our staff is recycling a quarter of the paper used"
synonyms:
rough calculation, approximation, estimation, rough guess, costing, quotation, valuation, evaluation, guesstimate

When fiscal responsibility becomes a major concern of our government, I might agree with you. Until that happens, I tend to lean towards the train of thought of #52.

I wouldn't. Doesn't mean you cant.

Not nearly enough of that around here

ty

how about a parade?

Trump did propose an increase for vets in his budget outline

Discretionary spending, in billions

Agency
2017 baseline
2018 proposal
Change
Pct. change
Environmental Protection Agency
$8.2
$5.7
–$2.6
–31%
State and other development programs
38.0
27.1
–10.9
–29%
Agriculture
22.6
17.9
–4.7
–21%
Labor
12.2
9.6
–2.5
–21%
Justice
20.3
16.2
–4.0
–20%
Health and Human Services
77.7
65.1
–12.6
–16%
Commerce
9.2
7.8
–1.5
–16%
Education
68.2
59.0
–9.2
–14%
Transportation
18.6
16.2
–2.4
–13%
Housing and Urban Development
36.0
31.7
–4.3
–12%
Interior
13.2
11.6
–1.5
–12%
Energy
29.7
28.0
–1.7
–6%
Treasury
11.7
11.2
–0.5
–4%
NASA
19.2
19.1
–0.2
–1%
Veterans Affairs
74.5
78.9
+4.4
+6%
Homeland Security
41.3
44.1
+2.8
+7%
Defense
521.7
574.0
+52.3
+10%

I haven't read the House/Senate budget bill. Are they the same as Trump's proposal? I assume the numbers you tried to post are Trumps, based on what you wrote...yes?

I didn't say, or even suggest that there wouldn't be funding for vet programs under any bill. I was answering your question about buying less tanks so there'd be more money for vet support. And I'm telling you that those are from different funding streams. Don't cross the streams.

One of the " fall outs" of being located so closely to Chitcago....

Oh and F the NFL....you can have it.

If the bipartisan Senate proposal passes the va will get $4 billion to rebuild and improve veterans hospitals and clinics

That would be even be more stupid than the parade. Though it would not be suprising for the extreme left. Bet ANTIFA and SJW types wanna get involved to. To bad so many have no respect for our military.

That would be the Russian thing to do. Also Chinese. Comrade X it isn't to far from red to orange.

Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you
And everything you do
Yeah they were all yellow

I came along
I wrote a song for you
And all the things you do
And it was called yellow...

unless they goosestep, then I'm all for it...


HA!

“A military parade is third world bulls—-,” said Robert James O’Neill the former Navy Seal that fired the shot that killed Bin Laden
Any way, a quick search should prove to you that most people in government and military think it's beyond stupid.
Not sure why you brought up Vietnam. Was a really different the and situation I think.

McShame is very direspectable.

Z, you are wrong. His military service if nothing else deserves our respect. Trump laughed at him and all other prisoners of war. Call him out on politics if you wish, but Trump called him out and joked about prisoners of war which is just plain wrong.

Guess he and Billy Boy are two peas in a pod.

And by the way, how years did you serve?

His service deserves respect. Him getting legacy treatment in the service does not, he had no business being in a plane he should have been washed from flight. Many servicemen refer to him as "songbird" and when cheeto said what he said your reactions are exactly what he was going for. He's a heel, and you are marks. I've explained this before and you don't get it. Mcshame is a war monger, and to me in the context of my point in time negates a lot with him. He's playing for a legacy of reverence. He doesn't give two schits about anything else. Either you're being a Pollyanna and are oblivious or you're being tribal with you're hate I don't care which neither bothers me.

BTW, I do think it's funny that you think comments about him make people marks. When you commented on Obama were you a mark? Remember presidentin be hard?

I don't think 45 is as invested in a political movement as Barry, so I do see a huge difference there. I made the marks comment for a specific reason, just like I did heel. Had nothing to do with being derogatory towards anyone.....and the one or the other was a general audience comment not singling you out.

One other major difference, you don't see the media portraying him (cheeto ) as being presidential material, and so nuanced and intelligent. So when he cuts a promo it is real, when the Kenyan King tried it it was not as genuine in the current context. Barry legitimately is like Victor in his view of much of the country that isn't on a coast (or Chicago).