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For Veterans and Military personnel only.[W:651]

For Veterans and Military personnel only.


  • Total voters
    51
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

No, the military does nto fit classic definitions of socialism, but does behave much like what those who call Obama a socialist complain about. I think this is a valid point. When Bill Kyrstal of the Weekly Standard pronounces the military health care as the best in the world and sings its praises, but then calls any civilian system that would mimic it as substandard, you have to question his logic. And you ahve to question others who mirror that type of thinking.

I agree...this is my main view on this! That government can do no right but our military is the best in the world. That we should cut like crazy regulatory agencies but if we touch the military it will end up serverly crippling our capabilities.

The military is the best in the world, and cutting the budget does impact it's capabilities to perform it's mission...just like any government agency can be superb and any cut impacts it's abilities.
 
No, the military does nto fit classic definitions of socialism, but does behave much like what those who call Obama a socialist complain about. I think this is a valid point. When Bill Kyrstal of the Weekly Standard pronounces the military health care as the best in the world and sings its praises, but then calls any civilian system that would mimic it as substandard, you have to question his logic. And you ahve to question others who mirror that type of thinking.

The problem is the military and veterans make up a small percentage of the population and people already complain about how expensive it is. There was already a debate not too long ago about significantly raising the cost of healthcare for vets.

The military is the way it has to be to perform its role if we ran the government like the military people would hate it.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

The problem is the military and veterans make up a small percentage of the population and people already complain about how expensive it is. There was already a debate not too long ago about significantly raising the cost of healthcare for vets.

The military is the way it has to be to perform its role if we ran the government like the military people would hate it.

Defense is the one of the top priorities and roles of government...i totally agree...but say education. If education is another top role why are all the states cutting education left and right and teacher pay getting hit. It has a role...I would argue just as important as the military....yet cutting the military budget is sacrosanct touching education and cutting is done all the tiem.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

If what I have read is true, our miltary is the largest in the world. Bigger than all others combined, I thought I read.

If that's true, I have to wonder, "When will enough be enough?"

I am a veteran so I have a right to say this. The war machine (defense industry) is big money that lines the pockets of American politicians. Their propaganda money is on convincing you and I that our military budgets cannot be cut back even at the expense of education, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. Hands off the military.

So, how many times bigger than Russia and China does our military need to be? 2 times? 5 times? 20 times? 100 times?

What say ye?
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

If what I have read is true, our miltary is the largest in the world. Bigger than all others combined, I thought I read.

to play Devils Advocate a bit...I do think due to American politics and government spending being treated as bad all the time...the military is the only political sellable method of government influencing industry.

for example...subsidizing green energy....Republicans act like it's the end of the world...the US military signing a 200 billion dollar contractract to use solar panels on HUMVV's? Not a freaking peep.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

The problem is the military and veterans make up a small percentage of the population and people already complain about how expensive it is. There was already a debate not too long ago about significantly raising the cost of healthcare for vets.

The military is the way it has to be to perform its role if we ran the government like the military people would hate it.

Yep. Stuff cost. It costs without the government as well. Comparatively, overall costs would be lower with UHC. But, we were speaking of quality here I think. So was Krystal.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

So sorry to hear about your grandbaby Utah. I hope she does well.

thanks, she is doing well....
she was diagnosed just before 7th birthday, been about 6 years now, "small" brain surgeries to releive pressure, one big surgery to take out a golf ball size tumor (attached to old tumor, but operable) that grew in a few months when they stopped chemo for a bit, to see what would happen. She had to have physical therapy after that, as she could barely walk with help after that surgery.
She has done all the chemo she can, and is now on a new drug that seems to work well for her. New drug was a clinical trial, but not totally new, it has worked well on other kinds of tumors, so already FDA approved for those, will be for her kind of tumor soon.
Insurance company refused to pay for ANY claims while whe was on the trail drug, even those not related to the tumor, the trial drug, anything. And they waited months to tell anybody that they would not pay, so big bills accumulateld.
Then they didn't want to pay for the new drug. Lawyer made them see the light, but it took a while.
Our son is employed, science teacher in High School, but the family medical insurance was not thru the school..
They don't live extravagantly, pay their bills, etc. They are responsible people. THIS is why we need SOMETHING, if not ObamaCare....
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

Oh man...I was with you until you went there.


Yeah, you're right. I tend to lump the "very liberal" into an idea I have about Leftists (not to be confused with Liberals).
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

If what I have read is true, our miltary is the largest in the world. Bigger than all others combined, I thought I read.

If that's true, I have to wonder, "When will enough be enough?"


Never. It's the capitalist way. Oh and China is a threat. And we haven't fully explored space yet. Haven't you seen Independence Day or Battlefield L.A.? "When will enough be enough." That's silly.

By the way, I know you saw the Avengers, thereby helping it reach the number 4 spot (so far) for the most domestically earned film in history. Captain America is awesome.
 
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Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

If what I have read is true, our miltary is the largest in the world. Bigger than all others combined, I thought I read.

If that's true, I have to wonder, "When will enough be enough?"

I am a veteran so I have a right to say this. The war machine (defense industry) is big money that lines the pockets of American politicians. Their propaganda money is on convincing you and I that our military budgets cannot be cut back even at the expense of education, healthcare, infrastructure, etc. Hands off the military.

So, how many times bigger than Russia and China does our military need to be? 2 times? 5 times? 20 times? 100 times?

What say ye?

enough will be enough when the sacred cows of other politicians/budgetery items are being butchered for beef...
Pretty sure that every state has a cow in the military budget pasture...
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

Others have said it is great. Which one is it?

Depends on your experience. I don't think it's bad at all. This Post-9/11 generation is benefitting greatly from the Vietnam generation that was screwed royally and since they largely run the programs today. That generation is taking care of this one. The only thing that is a pain in the ass is the bureacracy of getting it sometimes (long lines, waiting times on phones, paperwork, etc). There's also the generic brand medications, but considering that it's free it's a good deal.

The way I see it (different generation) I voluntarily signed a contract and I was paid every two weeks for twenty years for the privelege. The VA is busting its ass to make sure the government comes through with its repercusion obligations. And while something like PTSD (as an example) was never on a contract, the soldier shooting up a market store makes it a government obligation to community as well. But I don't expect my diapers to be changed. That's what marriage is for.
 
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Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

Others have said it is great. Which one is it?

The one where I have to wear an ankle brace for the rest of my life because I wasn't allowed to get x rays, due to terrible medical practice from the only PA on post, no doctor, just a PA, with no oversight, tasked with caring for an entire battalion, and three detached companies.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

Especially since military healthcare sucks.

Military healthcare does not suck. I've used them for years and never really had an issue with the healthcare itself. Hell, the military offered to pay for me to get a nose job because my broken nose was due to a faulty piece of equipment.

This is particularly true when you are talking about the healthcare the dependents use and not just what the military itself gets.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

The one where I have to wear an ankle brace for the rest of my life because I wasn't allowed to get x rays, due to terrible medical practice from the only PA on post, no doctor, just a PA, with no oversight, tasked with caring for an entire battalion, and three detached companies.

And I was delivered by a foot doctor at an Army hospital back in the 80s, but that does happen other places. I had a cousin delivered by a nurse.

Plus, unfortunately the military job itself is what causes a lot of the problems with the healthcare in the military. Because 1) sometimes it just isn't practical to get things done in the best way because of what is available to us and the long distance from home or other better options and 2) what the military pay is unfortunately doesn't always draw in the best or even enough doctors to cover everyone.

And I was wondering when and where your experience happened? From what I have seen military medical has been improving greatly in the last decade or so, particularly when we our here in this country.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

Others have said it is great. Which one is it?

I have seen some bad, but mostly good....during my active duty days with military docs, and after with VA docs.
a friend from my GTMO days had a back issue, the navy docs didn't do much early on, LSS he is now in a wheelchair, after they finally removed the tumor that was causing his issues. It was an Air Force doc he saw on leave that did the correct diagnosis...
Another friend had about everything you can imagine, he was quite the survivor....cancer, artery issues, heart issues, etc. and finally pancreatic cancer, and even then he lasted another year...the VA took good care of him.
It helps to be persistent, and perhaps to go to a civilian doctor at your own expense if your life depends on it...at least for the diagnosis.
Sad thing for some vets, and retirees, there was a time that they were denied their promised "healthcare for life". My older brother, 8 years older, had to file bankruptcy after being denied care for him and his wife. In one year they spent far more on civilain docs than they could ever pay for. He was retired Air Force at the time. IIRC, it took a supreme court deliberation to get congress to stop mistreating our vets...
 
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Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

I am a liberal. I support a strong military. NPs head just exploded.

I'm a liberal and I support a strong military too. * I just don't support the US spending almost as much as the rest of the world combined.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

And I was wondering when and where your experience happened? From what I have seen military medical has been improving greatly in the last decade or so, particularly when we our here in this country.

Automotive accident in Korea, 2009. After I PCS'd to New Mexico, I got it checked out again, and the doc basically looked at me like "wtf do you expect me to do about it?" and gave me 800mg motrins.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

I have seen some bad, but mostly good....during my active duty days with military docs, and after with VA docs.
a friend from my GTMO days had a back issue, the navy docs didn't do much early on, LSS he is now in a wheelchair, after they finally removed the tumor that was causing his issues. It was an Air Force doc he saw on leave that did the correct diagnosis...
Another friend had about everything you can imagine, he was quite the survivor....cancer, artery issues, heart issues, etc. and finally pancreatic cancer, and even then he lasted another year...the VA took good care of him.
It helps to be persistent, and perhaps to go to a civilian doctor at your own expense if your life depends on it...at least for the diagnosis.
Sad thing for some vets, and retirees, there was a time that they were denied their promised "healthcare for life". My older brother, 8 years older, had to file bankruptcy after being denied care for him and his wife. In one year they spent far more on civilain docs than they could ever pay for. He was retired Air Force at the time. IIRC, it took a supreme court deliberation to get congress to stop mistreating our vets...

I worked at Womack Army Hospital for a time. It was pretty good. The VA in Iowa City had issues, but largely decent. However, that's a pretty limited pool and I saw it as someone working there. I've never worked anywhere that didn't have complaints, or that I didn't actually see a few issues.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

The one where I have to wear an ankle brace for the rest of my life because I wasn't allowed to get x rays, due to terrible medical practice from the only PA on post, no doctor, just a PA, with no oversight, tasked with caring for an entire battalion, and three detached companies.

Best medical mind I ever worked with was a PA.

Worse Doctor I ever worked with was at U of I hospitals and Clinics.

Biggest asshole was at Mercy Hopsital in Iowa City.

Of the three, I'd only let the PA touch me. Glad I have more than those three choices, even at the VA. ;)
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

Depends on your experience. I don't think it's bad at all. This Post-9/11 generation is benefitting greatly from the Vietnam generation that was screwed royally and since they largely run the programs today. That generation is taking care of this one. The only thing that is a pain in the ass is the bureacracy of getting it sometimes (long lines, waiting times on phones, paperwork, etc). There's also the generic brand medications, but considering that it's free it's a good deal.

The way I see it (different generation) I voluntarily signed a contract and I was paid every two weeks for twenty years for the privelege. The VA is busting its ass to make sure the government comes through with its repercusion obligations. And while something like PTSD (as an example) was never on a contract, the soldier shooting up a market store makes it a government obligation to community as well. But I don't expect my diapers to be changed. That's what marriage is for.

Off topic. You made me think of my father in law. Before he died, he took care of his wife, my mother in law, through her dementia. He not only cared for her needs, but always helped her look nice, even putitng on her make up. He was incredible as a spouse care giver. Both are dead now, but the man was special on that front.

As for your post, I see things rather similarly.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

Neither because both are warmongers that will send me to fight another useless war. I've already fought in 3 different theaters and I'm sick of doing it. My wife's kinda tired of it as well. You know, with me being married 10 years and only being home for 3 1/2 years of it and all. That kinda wears on a lady. My son doesn't like it either. You know, with him being 6 and me having been here for 2 years of his life. It also sucks that I spontaneously lose hearing for days at a time, can't put my head back and close my eyes without waking up on the floor, have a constant ringing in my ears, and tend to have spells where the room turns upside down and I hit the floor. But you neo-cons and lib-militants go ahead and tell me why I should vote for your guy. I'd love to hear from you.
If either of them can prove to me what risk to national defense Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea, Iran, or whatever hole they want to send me to is, then I will check the box in that category of their being personally vetted by me. I still wouldn't vote for either after that, but I think we're speaking strictly military related stuff here so I won't bring that stuff up. Until then, Ron Paul's getting a write in vote from me.
 
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Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

Best medical mind I ever worked with was a PA.

Worse Doctor I ever worked with was at U of I hospitals and Clinics.

Biggest asshole was at Mercy Hopsital in Iowa City.

Of the three, I'd only let the PA touch me. Glad I have more than those three choices, even at the VA. ;)

This guy was a moron. Army medical is good, as long as you're stationed at a large post, with a big budget. If you're stuck on a small, underfunded, hole in the wall post, you also get stuck with bottom of the barrel medical care.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

If either of them can prove to me what risk to national defense Afghanistan, Syria, North Korea, Iran, or whatever hole they want to send me to is, then I will check the box in that category of their being personally vetted by me. I still wouldn't vote for either after that, but I think we're speaking strictly military related stuff here so I won't bring that stuff up. Until then, Ron Paul's getting a write in vote from me.

BLUF: Pulling back from a forward leaning posture and enabling through inaction the increasing power of regional would-be hegemons such as Iran and China will sink global trade upon which our economy and populace are utterly dependent. We would rather not find out whether or not we can turn Apple managers into subsistence farmers.
 
Re: For Veterans and Military personnel only.

This guy was a moron. Army medical is good, as long as you're stationed at a large post, with a big budget. If you're stuck on a small, underfunded, hole in the wall post, you also get stuck with bottom of the barrel medical care.

I dunno, Okinawa is hardly a small underfunded hole in the wall post, and some of the crap I've heard coming out of the hospital here is atrocious. We had a friend have a baby here - they didn't even put her in a room with air conditioning. In the middle of the F'ing summer. On a tropical F'ing island.
 
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