Military people and supporters
http://www.forsakethetroops.info
People like this guy #### me off. Unless you have ever lived this life you have no idea. He thinks we are over paid yet if you are An E5 with five years in service and one child you are still under the poverty level.
Watch his appearance on fox news
http://www.marines.mil/marinelink/videoview.nsf/7fc6a7d8e309d4e085256959005c981c/7FE3574B2BE0578B8525700A004FB0A8/$file/050521_FoxNews_Hannity&Colmes_ForsakeTheMilitary.wmv
# 1 Re: Military people and supporters
No politics allowed here methinks.
# 2 Re: Military people and supporters
I'm astonished that anyone should choose to give that website publicity.
I'm even more astounded that anyone can take it seriously.
There may well be a valid point of view that military personnel should not get tax breaks on overseas duty allowance, or even that pay is excessive (though as a Brit, my understanding is that enlisted US personnel are not paid much). There's certainly scope to argue against the war in Iraq.
But even people who don't embrace the extreme Right Wing Republican view of the troops as the saviour's of freedom, Mom's Apple Pie and Dubya's career would, I'm sure, be appalled, shocked and offended by the sentiments on that site.
Especially: "Number of US soldiers killed in the Iraq War, of their own doing, because they CHOSE to be leeches: 1,587. These scumbags asked for it, and got it. Simper Cry."
# 3 Re: Military people and supporters
So this guy is complaining about service personnel getting tax breaks for volunteering to serve their country? Oh, I guess if conscription was the norm he would be hightailing across the border when the draft board came knocking at his door. Then he wouldn't be putting his life on the line in some sand pit thousands of miles away from his family and friends.
I think the only tax break that the US military "enjoy" is if they are deployed on temporary duty overseas. Those serving in foreign countries as a tour of duty, e.g. they are based in the UK, still have to pay their taxes.
No one joins the military to go to war. It is a 'secure' job in a time of job insecurity. In fact it's not that secure - witness the recent cutbacks in the military both overseas and here.
"So, yes, this website is very serious, and death threats, foul language, meaningless petitions by a bunch of whiners, and mean instant messages will not stop the site."
How about a visit from some of those who have been wounded in action? Or maybe some of those who have just spent 6 months or longer away from home, seeing their buddies blown to bits, Iraqi civilians slaughtered by the 100's...
This guy should crawl back under the stone he came from. But then the other creatures living under that stone would probably kick him right back out because they are too decent to share space with this POS!!!
Bob at 2007-11-15 18:03:30 >
# 4 Re: Military people and supporters
Originally posted by Jackonicko
There may well be a valid point of view that military personnel should not get tax breaks on overseas duty allowance,"
I am US military Living in Germany, the Germans have a 16% tax on everything.
# 5 Re: Military people and supporters
While I do agree this guy is a jerk, the issue of pay is an interesting one. If one looks at the current US military pay-tables, one might be appalled at the how little is being payed to those in uniform. That, however, is not the whole story. What many do not take into account is the housing and locality allowance as well as medical and dental benefits that those in uniform are entitled to.
An example: Last year, my company hired a guy out of the military. He was an E-6 with 6 years, Married with 2 kids. We started him at $55,000 a year but ended up boosting him to $60,000 in short order. Why? He was able to show that he was actually taking more home when he was on active duty than he was a a civilian. Everything we paid him was taxable, but a large chunk of what the military gave him was not. He also suddenly had to pay for healthcare for his family.
Don't get me wrong, I'm NOT siding with the guy who runs that site, just pointing out some facts. allforcarrie may be in a different position than the guy I work with since he is stationed overseas in an are where the tax rate is considerably higher.
Taxes and allowances aside, all that put together still seems a very paltry sum when the individual in question is being asked to go to a combat zone and get shot at by the bad guys.
baggss at 2007-11-15 18:05:23 >
# 6 Re: Military people and supporters
If i was in the states rite now, i would be getting MAYBE half of what i get now if i'm lucky...
# 7 Re: Military people and supporters
Frankly, the military is essentially killing these people.
Shouldn't them, Teachers (teaching the future), and Politicians (won't feel needed to get bribed) get the most amount of money?
# 8 Re: Military people and supporters
Originally posted by allforcarrie
If i was in the states rite now, i would be getting MAYBE half of what i get now if i'm lucky...
I have to ask now, what rank are you? Do you have family there with you? Admitedly, the junior folks (E-1 to E-4) get screwed the worst...
The tax rates here are considerably lower, and if you home state of record has no state incom tax, you make out even better. I speak with a lot of Military folks and many of them seem to think that their civilian counterparts make significantly more money than they do when often that is not nearly the case.
baggss at 2007-11-15 18:08:28 >
# 9 Re: Military people and supporters
That guy is the biggest ******* disgrace in the world. I loved how that news anchor ripped him apart. People join the military to protect their country. That guy just dosent realize how much soldiers do for their country. He is abusing his rights and freedoms. He should be charged for treason.
I just cant believe that some people could even think of feeling this way. Im not in the military, nor do i live in the US. However I do plan on joining the military reserves when the summers out. I need to gain strgenth and stamina etc. Anyway... thats irrelevant.
This guy dosent realize how luckey he is. There isnt a lot of countries he could say that in and not be killed.
A lot of people should thank the US troops. They saved a lot of *** in WWI and WWII. They are the reason that WWII was won.
This reminded me of an old saying "If you are reading this, thank a teacher, if you are reading this in English, thank a soldier."
# 10 Re: Military people and supporters
I sympathize with allforcarrie, and I especially appreciate what baggss has to say on this thread. I do wonder, given that the entire linked site is a troll/flamebait, if this might be a conversation best had elsewhere.
No disrespect intended, but this thread does have the potential to get ugly.
# 11 Re: Military people and supporters
I am a SSgt E5 in the Air Force, I am 23 and have been merried for 2.5 years. Becuse of the prioritys of the Military, My wife cant even get a decent job over here.
# 12 Re: Military people and supporters
rogermexico,
If it gets "ugly" it gets closed. And the ones who caused it to be closed will know why...
Bob at 2007-11-15 18:12:33 >
# 13 Re: Military people and supporters
It's so ridiculously one sided that I seriously doubt that anyone will want to speak up for the site, whether US or European, dyed in the wool Republican or Euro-lefty, pro-War or anti. I can't see ugliness being likely, frankly.
# 14 Re: Military people and supporters
Originally posted by Jackonicko
It's so ridiculously one sided that I seriously doubt that anyone will want to speak up for the site, whether US or European, dyed in the wool Republican or Euro-lefty, pro-War or anti. I can't see ugliness being likely, frankly.
Exactly.
# 15 Re: Military people and supporters
Looks like the pressure got too much - site has been taken out, oops sorry down ;)
Bob at 2007-11-15 18:15:38 >
# 16 Re: Military people and supporters
Originally posted by enjoilax
Frankly, the military is essentially killing these people.
Shouldn't them, Teachers (teaching the future), and Politicians (won't feel needed to get bribed) get the most amount of money?
While I'm down with good teachers being well-paid, politicians don't cater to special interests because they don't get paid enough. They do it to raise the enormous sums of money needed to get re-elected. While taxpayers pay their salary and overhead to do their job, they have to finance their campaigns without taxpayer money - transportation, advertising, staff...
Your average Congressman in a reasonably competitive district needs to raise between five to ten thousand dollars a WEEK from the day they take office in order to have enough money to run their campaign and win re-election (between 1 and 2 million dollars over 4 years).
