something to agree with Limbaugh about

[eamarquardt]

I went on the internet and looked at the current military pay scale. An e8 (second to highest enilsted rank) with 22 years of service pay is $1 short of $4.500 per month (this is base pay only not including allowances). At 20 years you receive 50% of your base pay as retirement pay. This is $2,499.50 per month. Not $1000 per month. E7/22 years is just shy of 2K/month. Pretty good retirement pay considering they are still eligble for SS and have full health insurance. However, the generous retirement plan wasn't enough to convince me to make the Marine Corps a carreer. Military service entails a lot of compromises (the big negative to me was the many relocations over the course of a career). Just because someone is at the wrong place at the wrong time I see no need for the government to compensate the family unless there was some gross failure of some sort on the governments part. I don't think this was the case with Oklahoma or 911. I get SS and would much rather have the money I and my employeers put into the system. Government is no subtitute for individual financial responsibility. This sense of entitlement has got to end or it will bankrupt the country (if we aren't bankrupt already and just don't know it).

There you have it: "the world according to Gus".



Cheers,

Gus

[Kurt (Indiana)]

For those who can't stand him, how many really listen to him?

I did for a while, just to give him a fair chance. He's a blowhard who appeals to the worst in people.

CD, I think we're being a little short sighted. He is a blowhard and he makes the most of it, but he does bring out the side of the story that you won't hear on the daily news.

Sure, he's making millions because he resonates with people. He doesn't bring out the worst in me. I like to hear the "other side" of things once in a while. Who wouldn't?

No one can agree 100% of the time (with any agenda). Information is the key to education, isn't it?

There are sheep on both sides of the fence as well as some (who listen to both sides) that can see all of the major features of the news.

I like the fact that we have options and varying opinions to listen to.

Opponents make it sound like his listeners are too stupid to form their own opinions. I thing they are smart to listen for "the rest of the story".

[Alphacarina]

I went on the internet and looked at the current military pay scale. An e8 (second to highest enilsted rank) with 22 years of service pay is $1 short of $4.500 per month (this is base pay only not including allowances). At 20 years you receive 50% of your base pay as retirement pay. This is $2,499.50 per month. Not $1000 per month. E7/22 years is just shy of 2K/month. Pretty good retirement pay considering they are still eligble for SS and have full health insurance

While you were there, did you check on the percentage of service members who are able to retire as E-8's?

You're basing your argument on numbers 90% or more of our military members will never see - The average retirement rank at 20 years of service is much closer to E-6 than it is E-8 . . . . and whatever amount of money they get in retirement (currently about $1620 per month) it's very well earned and very far short of the $15K (per month) a one term, two year congressman gets - Pretty nice lifetime compensation package I would say . . . . 'Serve' two years and get ten times the retirement that a military member who put his life on the line for 20 years gets - I'll take some of that . . . . . Where do I sign up?

Don

[hammer & tongs]

Someone asked the question; "Aren't those soldiers all volunteers ?"..
Yup! They sure are, so are the Marines..

So also are firemen and policemen..so we have folks that fight the enemy, fires and crime.should any of them be mistreated ?
Surely noone thinks that our troops are overpaid, yet they willingly do the job..for us..
Pay is reasonable..not outstanding..compare the pay and retirement bennies to your teacher or state trooper with similar time in grade.

For anyone that may be deluding themselves, thinking that the troops may be getting overpaid..don't forget the strain on families and marriages.

And I'll ask this one in respect for my grandson (a Spec OPs Marine)...
How much pay would you expect for smashing down doors to a terrorist house and shooting it out with the terrorists ?

Or how much pay would you expect for daily runs through IED alley ?

Or how about the 2 or 3 times my grandson had one-on-ones with enemy snipers ? How much pay would you want for that ?

Of course, not all troops are combat troops..but they still face 130 degree summers and 0 degree winters over in the sandbox..

Final thought from the many Marines and soldiers I know..
Folkls; It's NOT the money, if anyone doesn't already realize that, they just "don't get it"and probably never will. Some folks have no sense of patriotism... and some have a great sense of same..along with courage!

[arsnls64]

Nicely said. Having been to over 32 foreign countries, (not all very pleasant I asure you) it sure is nice to see that some people get it. Thank you!