"You’re picking my pocket and then you’re asking me for a handout" - Granite Grok

“You’re picking my pocket and then you’re asking me for a handout”

“Why are the Republicans willing to “own” the perceptions that they hate the military?”

Chuck Wooten, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret). (Courtesy of Chuck Wooten)
Chuck Wooten, Chief Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret). (Courtesy of Chuck Wooten)

This has reminded me of a post that I have, thus far, failed to post.  I will be rectifying that Real Soon Now (a “Pournellism”).  In the mean time, read this from a US Military veteran when asked for money in a Republican fundraiser letter by US Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI) – you know, the Republican that just made that two year budget agreement with Progressive Caucus member Senator Patty Murray which broke the only successful lock on Federal spending in a very long time – the Sequester.  This “compromise”, as part of its “savings”, is cutting the pensions of those that put their lives on the line for the rest of us by serving in the US Military.  As a double Blue Star Dad and TEA Partier, I couldn’t keep my jaw from hitting the floor over the insult to “those on the Wall” and in the foxholes; even though my two sons only served one hitch each, to go after the military pensions to “save” the money is a kick in the arse.  Oh, we hear that it’s “only 1%” – yeah, compound interest can work wealth wonders in the positive direction (er, when the Fed leaves interest rates to seek their own level) but can wreak havoc when run backwards – 6 digits in fact over a length of time.  Well, that vet that received the letter decided to answer back (emphasis mine, and there are a lot of them):

I’m still mulling this Paul Ryan budget deal that stole money from every military retiree (past, present and future). This morning, upon opening my email, I noticed I had a letter from Congressman Paul Ryan…and it was begging me for an “emergency end of the year donation.” It only proves what we already know. The folks in Washington are indeed clueless. Instead of hitting the delete button, I decided to call Congressman Ryan out on his audacity and lack of self-awareness. I sent the following to him. I’m also posting it on the FB USAF Chiefs page as an open letter to the Congressman. If you’re a retiree, I will tell you we may have lost the battle, but not the war. If you’re inclined and find it worthy, let’s flood social media with this letter and see if we can get some traction. Thanks.

Congressman Ryan,

Please note that this request by you for a cash donation from me is extremely unfortunate and very ill-timed. You see sir, I am one of the military retirees your “bipartisan” budget just impacted. You and every Republican (both in the House and Senate that voted to pass this travesty betrayed and broke trust with me and everyone like me. You may not know us by name, but we’re the people, Congressman, who answered our Nation’s call, some of us at a very early age to willingly serve YOU and others LIKE YOU so you could safely attend college and pursue your personal ambitions without fear of harm.

You might also want to note that for at least 20 years, my brothers-in-arms answered that call of duty EVERY SINGLE DAY, without fail, without complaint, without enough money to sustain our loved ones we had to leave behind while we DID OUR JOB in every corner of the Earth. And for that service, we were given absolute assurance our so-called retirement benefits would be protected by law. The very law you shattered in your zeal to impress your Democratic cohorts in your back room deal–with the enemy. Yes, I said it. The liberal Democrats are an enemy to the American people and our Nation. Your lack of judgement and eagerness to compromise on the backs of us who protected you is sickening. Congressman, you and every Republican that voted for injuring military retirees have engaged in a complicit, sordid affair with the Democrats who’s objective has always been to dismantle the military. By climbing into their bed on this issue, you have confirmed you are absolutely no better than they and have proven it with your vote.

Congressman Ryan, the audacity which you display is noteworthy, but to unceremoniously snatch earned money from a small group that has added so much more value than the paltry $6B you looked to “save” (which is all smoke and mirrors and you know it), is reprehensible and insulting.

We have, despite the hardships, meager salaries and harsh conditions, have performed with honor and excellence…in silence, which is something most members of Congress have no idea about doing. Our job approval was, is and always be better than yours. We knew our mission and we got it done, then handed it off to a new generation in better shape than we found it.

Your ability to look us in the eye, take money from us (apparently there was ZERO, other source of waste within the federal government that you could have recovered this money from…right, got it), while simultaneously holding your hand out to beg (with passion) for our cash is stunning. Your actions have proven you do not have the tremendous intellect you’ve sold the American people on. I say, with all seriousness, Congressman, what you lack in intellect and spinal rigidity, you make up for in cajones.

I hope you and your cowardly, Republican “colleagues” hear a message from me loud and clear. You will NEVER receive another cent of financial support from me. Further, if you happen to be at a Capitol Hill dinner or at a K Street cocktail party with RNC Chair Reince Priebus, Rep. Ron Barber, Sen. Jeff Flake or Sen. John McCain, I would be honored if you communicate with them that I am launching an effort to ensure NONE of you traitorous “representatives of the people” ever receive another vote from a military retiree. Remove me from your contact lists.

Chuck Wooten,
Chief Master Sergeant, USAF (Ret)

And I used to think it was only the Democrats that hated the Military?  I can see canceling expensive weapon system overruns, but doing this?  This right after SecDef Hagle threatening the commissaries that many of the entry level enlisted families depend upon?  And the news that only two combat Brigades are deployable for lack of money for training?  That Chinese pilots (among others) are getting more air time than US ones (and I remember when it was the US that boasted of it military training!)?  I can go on and on.

I sit here never believing that it would be Republicans that would be helping to sap the morale of our armed service members. A trust has been broken – to those in the military, no Party has their 6.  So why would they serve – knowing that where one knife can find their backs, so can another one.  And trust me, the vets I talk to are just as mad at the Republicans as they are the Democrats because of this.  The question comes up – why are they doing this to us?  Why are the Republicans willing to “own” the perceptions that they hate the military?   Does the perception of “bipartisan compromise” now outweigh the traditional value of loyalty to the Services?

Or have the Ruling Political Class, with Republicans solidifying their role as the Jr. Partners with the Democrats, finally reached that tipping point that the European Social(ist) Democracies reached a while ago, that redistribution and the Welfare State now take precedence over a the Constitutional mandate of a military that can defend the country?  After all, Obama did come to office with the new policy of “Smart Diplomacy” that was yak, yak, yak with our enemies and alienate our former allies, no bullets needed (just the occasional drone from time to time) – and like Carter and Clinton before him, willing to hollow out the military?

And how better to do that by dissing those that served and making them the examples for those that, now, will never serve?

Consistency.  Trust.  Loyalty. Just words, I guess. A while ago, I came up with the phrase “you are making us not care” – and so Republican have done so again

(H/T: The Blaze)

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