Analyst's note:  Amen.  Like Will, I learned too late in life to NOT trust the federal government.

"Like all other Viet Nam Era and World War II Veterans, I was promised when I signed on the dotted line both what was written into the contract and what was promised in the oft-stated “oral contract” by recruiters and superiors during my service. Foremost in this was the many verbal assurances that we, as Veterans, and our spouses would have free medical for life. A benefit which has already been cut by Medicare B payments and co-pays for services and prescription drugs received when we become 65 and must join TRICARE for Life.

I found in my email inbox today from Military.com (you can sign up at http://feeds.feedburner.com/militaryadvantage for the emails) a very disturbing article that Senator John McCain (R-AZ) has sent a letter to the Budget Super-Committee stating that he is OK with placing “cuts” in our military benefits on the table.

What is he thinking? Has he forgotten the trials and tribulations of those who wore and are wearing the uniform in defense of our Constitutional Republic? Has he forgotten his own service and the years in the Hanoi Hilton? Has he forgotten the promises made to all who signed the blank check for “up to and including my life?” The “benefits” promised to the Veterans are “just compensation” for the hardships they are required to endure throughout their service. A service that requires him or her to be available in peace or war 24/7/365. A service that often finds separation from family or being uprooted and transferred at a moments notice. A service which often finds the member and his or her family deprived of the “niceties” of life in remote places around the world. Yes, I understand that we have an “all-volunteer force”, but are other Americans asked to bear these hardships?

“Provide for the common defense” is one of the six tasks specifically assigned to the federal government by “We the People.” As such, veterans are the responsibility of the federal government. It is they who should be honored and granted “head-of-the-line” privileges when dispensing benefits and fulfilling promises. What about as President Lincoln said, “to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow and orphan?” Why are veterans seemingly ALWAYS first in line for CUTS? Why is it that the following never seem to be in line for cuts:

1. Members of Congress and their staffs could it be that they make the rules and seem to have an attitude that they are “elite” and better than average Americans?

2. Career government employees (bureaucrats) could it be because they administer the programs and cannot be expected to stand for cuts in their own wages and benefits?

3. The entitlement generation on the government dole, particularly those capable of working but who choose not to work, could it be that these unconstitutional social-justice recipients vote to keep progressives in power who will grant and increase their benefits? I am not talking about Social Security recipients who paid into a retirement annuity their entire working life and are now only receiving their annuity. An annuity which is not an entitlement but what is due on their investment. Funds that would be there if Congress had not taken the funds out of the “lock box” and placed them into the General Treasury and then squander them.

4. Illegal immigrants who receive benefits even though they are not part of We the People could it be because they are perceived as “future voters” by the progressives in power.

The Department of Defense has already come up with $70B in cuts. Why is it that Senator McCain wants to place a surcharge of $200 per year on top of our Medicare B payment for TRICARE for Life? To prohibit enrollment in TRICARE Prime for working Veterans and their dependents? Why is it that the Congress and Administration want to further break faith with the Veterans they are obligated to provide for under the Constitution? Shouldn’t those listed above be in front of the line for benefit cuts, ahead of the Veterans who have “borne the battle [along with] his widow and orphan?”

The military and the veterans have sacrificed in “blood and treasure!” When will We the People, who have NOT served, agree to sacrifice “our treasure?” When will cuts in social-justice (welfare) programs be placed on the table ahead of Veteran benefits? If ALL are to sacrifice – ALL means everyone in this nation, from rich to poor, “haves” and “have nots,” union and non-union, white-collar and blue-collar. Let’s ensure that the sacrifices (cuts) are spread to ALL before we once again single out and cut Veteran Benefits!

May God Bless and Save the United States of America.
Our Constitutional Republic !"