You got your money's worth, America

Published on September 11, 2005 By dharmagrl In Misc

You feel that you paid for his training,

You think that you're paying for our food and clothing and shelter.

You see his paycheck coming out of your tax dollar, and you want to make sure it's not wasted.

You want to get your money's worth.

I'm here to tell you that you got your money's worth already, and he's still got 6 years to go.

Every time he deploys to a comabt zone, you get your money's worth.

Every time he arms up and goes to work, you're getting your money's worth.

Every day that he puts on a uniform and serves this nation, you're getting your money's worth.

Every time that he misses one of his children's birthdays because he's stuck in some shithole sandbox, you're getting your money's worth.

Seems to me that if we're talking about who's getting the most 'value for money' in this deal, it'd be you. See, we don't get paid overtime - 8 hours or 18 hours, the amount's still the same on the first and the 15th of the month. Yeah, he gets 'hazardous duty' pay, but d'you know how much that is? $225 a month. $225 for the privilege of being shot at and mortared. I'd say you're getting your money's worth there. Oh, and we also get 'family separation' allowance. 'YOU' pay us to compensate for him being gone. Wanna take a guess at how much that is? $250 a month. I'm sorry, but I don't think that ANY amount of money can make up for missing YEARS out of your children's lives. If I had a choice, I'd take my husband being home over $250 a month, anytime.

You think that we're rich, that we're getting paid too much. You think that we're getting free this and that and the other. 'Free' medical, 'free' housing, 'free' training, 'free' clothing, even. I'm here to tell you that we don't get ANYTHING for free. Everything we have, we pay for in some way.

So yeah, you're getting your money's worth, America. In fact, I'd say that you're getting MORE than your money's worth.

A LOT more.

Comments

Moderateman

on Sep 11, 2005

not enough money and benifits for our gallant fighting folk! never!

dharmagrl

on Sep 11, 2005

not enough money and benifits for our gallant fighting folk! never!

It's not really about the money, MM. It's not even about gratitude. It makes me cringe sometimes to have people tell me "thank you" because I'm not asking for people to kiss my feet or ass...

...it's more about respect, and about not thinking that because you pay taxes you 'own' part of the military and can therefore tell it's members what they should and should not do.

terpfan1980

on Sep 11, 2005

Can I suggest we take a little from one particular retiree and give it all to the rest of the members of the larger military family?

I'd never say that our military men and women are over-paid. Far from it. The amount they get in the form of compensation is paltry. They really deserve much better, and I keep hoping to see more money and more benefits given to them and their families.

I wish our elected leaders would realize the need and act upon it, but it seems they are more interested in spending money to buy things, rather than pay the people that use the things (guns, tanks, ships, etc.)

I don't know where we should get the money from, and I'm sure an idiotic one-noted C.O.L. would suggest again raising taxes for any such needs, but raising taxes only goes so far, and typically never hit the targets they were originally aimed at. If we could cut back on some home town pork-barreling, then perhaps we could save the money that should go to wages and other compensation. Of course that would be utopian, and we probably never will get there.

Meanwhile, I do salute those that serve for us, and their families as well. As said elsewhere, the amount of money that goes to these family members can never compensate them for the lost time they'll never have to spend with their father, mother or other service members.

Moderateman

on Sep 11, 2005

I respect.. both the people serving and the ones left behind D.

drmiler

on Sep 11, 2005

They have NEVER been paid enough! And quite probably never will be.

...it's more about respect, and about not thinking that because you pay taxes you 'own' part of the military and can therefore tell it's members what they should and should not do.

The first person I hear saying this is gonna have BOTH my feet in their poop!

Hyperborean Wanderer

on Sep 11, 2005

Testify, sister!

ParaTed2k

on Sep 11, 2005

Money's worth... and more. Especially when you consider that those who pay through our time and sacrifice also pay into the tax kitty...

lifehappens

on Sep 12, 2005

Well said!

dharmagrl

on Sep 12, 2005

Can I suggest we take a little from one particular retiree and give it all to the rest of the members of the larger military family?

Oh, I'd LOVE that....

I wish our elected leaders would realize the need and act upon it, but it seems they are more interested in spending money to buy things, rather than pay the people that use the things (guns, tanks, ships, etc.)

It does no good to have top-of-the-line equipment if the people you're asking to operate that equipment are too tired and overworked to concentrate. We're stretched so thin right now....it's a crying shame.

They have NEVER been paid enough! And quite probably never will be.

I doubt that the American military will EVER be paid what they're worth..

Testify, sister!

I will! You should drop in and give your 2 cent's worth too!

Especially when you consider that those who pay through our time and sacrifice also pay into the tax kitty...

heheh...yeah! if you think about it, we (military families and members) are really paying for our own paychecks. We pay taxes too....

Well said!

Thanks!

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!