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Shutdown outrage: Military death benefits denied to families of fallen troops

What the hell are you talking about? We are talking about funeral pay for men and women killed in the line of duty overseas. The military is funded through the Pay our Military Act of Sep 2013.

"Over the weekend, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said the Pentagon concluded that most of its 400,000 civilian employees were covered by the bill." - NY Times

They made this choice.

Your response is cold hearted, un-American, and really shows your immaturity.

If there is really no money to give soldiers then why did they fly the bodies back to the states? According to your logic, they're dead so the military responsibility to them has ceased.

I really didn't foresee the lunatics coming out of the wood work on this one. I'm sad that you call yourself an American.

Don't bother responding, I don't care what you have to say and you're "ignored."

Actually, no it isn't really "funeral pay", but rather advanced pay to ensure that funeral services and other things can be afforded by the family. And yes, not having it would be hard and stressful on the family, but I'm willing to bet that the military is making arrangements to ensure that the family is able to get where they need to be and is able to deal with this situation.

Personally, even as a military member and dependent, I didn't even know that this was normal. I figured that you did just do the best you could and the military helped out wherever you need it. To me, that $100000 sounds like extra.
 
Isn't this what happens when you shut down your government? So why are you all surprised by this?

No, it's not. The troops pay for that insurance out of their pockets. The system in place in the United States military is called Soldiers Group Life Insurance.

You can bet your boots that the partial government shutdown didn't stop the payroll deduction to pay for SGLI.
 
No, it's not. The troops pay for that insurance out of their pockets. The system in place in the United States military is called Soldiers Group Life Insurance.

You can bet your boots that the partial government shutdown didn't stop the payroll deduction to pay for SGLI.

This isn't actually the insurance money. That takes much longer than 3 days to get paid. This is actually more likely the 6 months of housing and regular pay, plus extras that we sign to go to someone.
 
This isn't actually the insurance money. That takes much longer than 3 days to get paid. This is actually more likely the 6 months of housing and regular pay, plus extras that we sign to go to someone.

I've seen partial SGLI payments take place within 48 hours; 72 hours, tops.
 
Actually, no it isn't really "funeral pay", but rather advanced pay to ensure that funeral services and other things can be afforded by the family. And yes, not having it would be hard and stressful on the family, but I'm willing to bet that the military is making arrangements to ensure that the family is able to get where they need to be and is able to deal with this situation.

Personally, even as a military member and dependent, I didn't even know that this was normal. I figured that you did just do the best you could and the military helped out wherever you need it. To me, that $100000 sounds like extra.

They're not. A private organization out of Maryland has stepped in to fly the families out to claim their bodies at least. The money in question is what you say it is. This government should not intentionally make anything more stressful than it has to be for these families.
 
The Pentagon has always had problems with burials. When my brother in law passed away, it took me 2 months to bury him at the VA Cemetery here in Houston, due to a snafu.

Even without the shutdown, SNAFU's are very common with the quality of civilians the government hires.
 
No, it's not. The troops pay for that insurance out of their pockets. The system in place in the United States military is called Soldiers Group Life Insurance.

You can bet your boots that the partial government shutdown didn't stop the payroll deduction to pay for SGLI.
Absolutely true.

Just shows the evil lengths this administration will cause pain in the name of the shutdown.
 
Soldiers pay for these death benefits, so there's no cut that is justified, here.

If they pay for them with their own funds then there is no funding needed by congress and what is being claimed is a lie. If congress provides a benefit to them vie non-essential funding then they do not pay for it themselves and you have a complaint with the government not being funded and blaming obama is a lie. Either way it is a lie.
 
Absolutely true.

Just shows the evil lengths this administration will cause pain in the name of the shutdown.

Yeah, it's not like the GOP has defunded government operations or anything.

Let's play pretend.
 
I've seen partial SGLI payments take place within 48 hours; 72 hours, tops.

And I've heard of them recently taking months (there was an article about it some time after I got off active duty).

But regardless, this is separate pay. It is not the SGLI payment, but rather the extra pay that we designate in our Page 2's.
 
They're not. A private organization out of Maryland has stepped in to fly the families out to claim their bodies at least. The money in question is what you say it is. This government should not intentionally make anything more stressful than it has to be for these families.

I agree, the military shouldn't make things more stressful, but military life and bureaucracy is stressful, no matter who is in office or what is going on. Whether we like it or not, the military is not run efficiently and hasn't been for a long time, if it ever was. Military families should know that it doesn't run efficiently.

But I'm also willing to bet that there would be things done by others within the military networks to help these families because there is a lot of help out there.
 
Absolutely true.

Just shows the evil lengths this administration will cause pain in the name of the shutdown.

For all those who are confused, there are two different death benefits that come into play here, the SGLI, which generally takes 45-60 days to get because paperwork must be filed with the insurance company that holds these plans and an actual death benefit that used to be about 6 months worth of pay and extra but is now the $100000, meant to ensure that a spouse/surviving family is able to take care of final expenses and/or bills of the service member on the event of their death without having to wait for the SGLI to kick in (assuming that the member even elected to get it since it is voluntary, and a person can opt not to pay for SGLI or to pay for a lower amount of SGLI). The death benefit is automatic and not paid for by the servicemember. It is more like a benefit of simply being in the military.

Beyond SGLI | Military.com

Compared to most if not all, other employer group term insurance plans, SGLI has a very generous maximum death benefit of $400,000. When added to the recently increased Service Death Gratuity of $100,000, active-duty servicemembers have $500,000 of life insurance coverage.

And many military experts are saying that it would benefit military servicemembers to actually get additional life insurance anyway, especially if they have children.
 
I agree, the military shouldn't make things more stressful, but military life and bureaucracy is stressful, no matter who is in office or what is going on. Whether we like it or not, the military is not run efficiently and hasn't been for a long time, if it ever was. Military families should know that it doesn't run efficiently.

But I'm also willing to bet that there would be things done by others within the military networks to help these families because there is a lot of help out there.

If you were in the military then you should be familiar with the term "no excuses." Intentions don't matter, excuses don't matter. Results and leadership matter. I'm not going to give them the benefit of the doubt, I'm not going to make excuses for this shameful act of disrespect. Many people are rightfully mad as hell about this.
 
Shutdown outrage: Military death benefits denied to families of fallen troops - Washington Times

This is utterly shameful.

"The Pentagon revealed the elimination of funeral pay, along with other impacts of the shutdown, in a press release."

We have plenty of money and to do this is the lowest form of cowardice and political BS that I have ever heard of. Shame on whoever came up with this politically driven idea and I hope they have their balls nailed to the wall.

I have been savaging Republicans over the shutdown, but on this particular issue, I have to side with them, and place the blame on Obama where it belongs. The shutdown pretty much means that non-essential services are shut down, which leads me to ask.... What can be more essential than honoring those who served our nation by burying them with honors, and giving their families death benefits? One of the piecemeal bills Republicans put forward was to bury our soldiers properly, as well as provide the death benefits due their families. Obama is not budging on this.

Obama, you are a freakin' douche bag.
 
And I've heard of them recently taking months (there was an article about it some time after I got off active duty).

But regardless, this is separate pay. It is not the SGLI payment, but rather the extra pay that we designate in our Page 2's.

Either way, the shutdown has nothing to do with these benefits. Depriving these families like this is almost criminal.
 
I agree, the military shouldn't make things more stressful, but military life and bureaucracy is stressful, no matter who is in office or what is going on. Whether we like it or not, the military is not run efficiently and hasn't been for a long time, if it ever was. Military families should know that it doesn't run efficiently.

But I'm also willing to bet that there would be things done by others within the military networks to help these families because there is a lot of help out there.

Hannity et. al. raised money for these families.
 
I have been savaging Republicans over the shutdown, but on this particular issue, I have to side with them, and place the blame on Obama where it belongs. The shutdown pretty much means that non-essential services are shut down, which leads me to ask.... What can be more essential than honoring those who served our nation by burying them with honors, and giving their families death benefits? One of the piecemeal bills Republicans put forward was to bury our soldiers properly, as well as provide the death benefits due their families. Obama is not budging on this.

Obama, you are a freakin' douche bag.

Obama is screwing over the American people for polutical reasons.
 
Obama is screwing over the American people for polutical reasons.

So are the Republicans. The thing here is that Republicans don't own me, and neither do the Democrats. I think for myself, and I have eyes and ears. And, most importantly, I believe in critical thinking. So feel free to support your side, while bashing the other side, which you hate so much, but are very much like.
 
So are the Republicans. The thing here is that Republicans don't own me, and neither do the Democrats. I think for myself, and I have eyes and ears. And, most importantly, I believe in critical thinking. So feel free to support your side, while bashing the other side, which you hate so much, but are very much like.

Obama os closing parks to visiters for no good reason. The Republicans aren't doing anything close to that.
 
Obama os closing parks to visiters for no good reason. The Republicans aren't doing anything close to that.

No, Republicans are picking and choosing which programs should open up, based on how good it will make them look in the polls. Meanwhile, programs that are under the radar, such as WIC, would go unfunded. That is the height of cowardice.
 
So are the Republicans. The thing here is that Republicans don't own me, and neither do the Democrats. I think for myself, and I have eyes and ears. And, most importantly, I believe in critical thinking. So feel free to support your side, while bashing the other side, which you hate so much, but are very much like.

The Republicans are the only party left standing in defense of The Constitution and there's only a handful of them even doing that

By denying Obama a blank check, they are defending The Republic

You should be thanking them. All Republicans want is for EVERYONE to enjoy the wonderful Hope and Change Obamacare, but Da Fuhrer Barry Soetoro and his cult of Prog Obots want to keep themselves and their corporate cronies exempt however. That's not fair. You're for fairness and equality right? :lol:

Why are you defending Obama and his thugs and criminals? When are you going to wake up? That's the real question
 
The Republicans are the only party left standing in defense of The Constitution and there's only a handful of them even doing that

By denying Obama a blank check, they are defending The Republic

You should be thanking them. All Republicans want is for EVERYONE to enjoy the wonderful Hope and Change Obamacare, but Da Fuhrer Barry Soetoro and his cult of Prog Obots want to keep themselves and their corporate cronies exempt however. That's not fair. You're for fairness and equality right? :lol:

Why are you defending Obama and his thugs and criminals? When are you going to wake up? That's the real question

Since when is breaking the law, by not paying the bills, defending the Constitution? The 14th Amendment says we cannot be deadbeats.
 
Since when is breaking the law, by not paying the bills, defending the Constitution? The 14th Amendment says we cannot be deadbeats.

I was wondering when the fourteenth amendment would appear in this debate.
 
I was wondering when the fourteenth amendment would appear in this debate.
i wish the 10 th amendment got as much attention


14th--The validity of the public debt of the United States, authorized by law, including debts incurred for payment of pensions and bounties for services in suppressing insurrection or rebellion, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave; but all such debts, obligations and claims shall be held illegal and void.
 
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Since when is breaking the law, by not paying the bills, defending the Constitution? The 14th Amendment says we cannot be deadbeats.

Republicans have offered several appropriations bills that Obama and Reid have denied that fund everything except Obamacare. The latest offer is everything Obama wants, except he has to delay the mandate for the working people of this country for 1 year, just like the corporations. Obama and Reid refuse to negotiate. All Republicans are asking for at this point, is for private citizens to get the same delay as Obama gave himself and all his corporate cronies. Surely you agree with that right? And if you do, then you need to be asking your Messiah why he still won't negotiate. Why he is blocking WW2 Memorials, kicking old people out of their homes, closing grocery stores while leaving golf courses open, using capital police resources to pick up trash after illegal aliens and denying benefits to families of soldiers killed in battle. Obama is a disgrace. Anyone who doesn't see through this theatre and still supports this man has their head in the sand.

Look at how Democrats wield Government Power. Like a club. This shutdown theatre is pure harassment and intimidation. Why any moron would want to give the same people that would wire shut a WW2 memorial complete control of your HC (YOUR LIFE) defies all logic and reason.

Cracks are beginning to appear however. His approval rating is at 37% and even CNN is saying Obamacare needs to be delayed. It's a total disaster.
 
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