A large portion of our military lives below the poverty line (there are a lot more lower ranking soldiers than higher ranking leaders) and whether they are currently in combat operations or not, most have served at least one tour and more likely, many. Barack Obama has taken on the Republican call for freezing the pay of federal workers, a plan with which I agree. The plan exempts members of the military.
Steny Hoyer, the second ranking Democrat in the House, wants to include the military in the freeze. He has some strange belief that this will allow them to help shoulder the burden of the debt crisis caused by Congress. His plan would exclude those in combat.
Have not our military members shouldered a larger burden for this country than anyone else? While Hoyer gets his $200,000 or so salary (leaders get paid more) the average soldier makes a fraction of that amount. Their lives are completely disrupted and many receive food stamps. What more does Hoyer want from them, blood? Oh wait, they have provided that to preserve the freedom in this country.
I have not heard Hoyer talk about freezing welfare or unemployment “benefits.” I have not heard him propose any plan that would require the people who sponge off the government to shoulder some of the debt burden.
But Big Dog, the military gets housing and health care provided. Yep, that is part of the deal for enlisting and receiving pay that sucks and those benefits do not make much of a difference in the disparity in pay.
I have an idea though, those who have a problem with it or feel they deserve the same can walk to a recruiting station and sign up. Here is some information to get you started.
As for Steny Hoyer, this loser needs to leave the military alone and worry about doing something constructive for a change.
If you are not sure about joining the military, here is a little something to motivate you.
Cave Canem!
Never surrender, never submit.
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