WTF IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE !!!!

[babaloo]

He can spend Trillions bailing out Deadbeat homeowners, The Crooks, liars and Cheats on Wall street, send Money to Gaza to Finance terorists but, He cant spare a dime to help the people who fought so that he could have the opportunity to be sitting where he is.  HIM!!!!!!!!



The American Legion Strongly Opposed to President's Plan to Charge Wounded Heroes for Treatment
Mon Mar 16, 5:49 pm ET

To: POLITICAL EDITORS

Contact: Craig Roberts of The American Legion, +1-202-263-2982 Office, +1-202-406-0887 Cell

WASHINGTON, March 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The leader of the nation's largest veterans organization says he is "deeply disappointed and concerned" after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases.

"It became apparent during our discussion today that the President intends to move forward with this unreasonable plan," said Commander David K. Rehbein of The American Legion. "He says he is looking to generate $540-million by this method, but refused to hear arguments about the moral and government-avowed obligations that would be compromised by it."

The Commander, clearly angered as he emerged from the session said, "This reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate ' to care for him who shall have borne the battle' given that the United States government sent members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies. I say again that The American Legion does not and will not support any plan that seeks to bill a veteran for treatment of a service connected disability at the very agency that was created to treat the unique need of America's veterans!"

Commander Rehbein was among a group of senior officials from veterans service organizations joining the President, White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki and Steven Kosiak, the overseer of defense spending at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The group's early afternoon conversation at The White House was precipitated by a letter of protest presented to the President earlier this month. The letter, co-signed by Commander Rehbein and the heads of ten colleague organizations, read, in part, " There is simply no logical explanation for billing a veteran's personal insurance for care that the VA has a responsibility to provide. While we understand the fiscal difficulties this country faces right now, placing the burden of those fiscal problems on the men and women who have already sacrificed a great deal for this country is unconscionable."

Commander Rehbein reiterated points made last week in testimony to both House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. It was stated then that The American Legion believes that the reimbursement plan would be inconsistent with the mandate that VA treat service-connected injuries and disabilities given that the United States government sends members of the armed forces into harm's way, and not private insurance companies. The proposed requirement for these companies to reimburse the VA would not only be unfair, says the Legion, but would have an adverse impact on service-connected disabled veterans and their families. The Legion argues that, depending on the severity of the medical conditions involved, maximum insurance coverage limits could be reached through treatment of the veteran's condition alone. That would leave the rest of the family without health care benefits. The Legion also points out that many health insurance companies require deductibles to be paid before any benefits are covered. Additionally, the Legion is concerned that private insurance premiums would be elevated to cover service-connected disabled veterans and their families, especially if the veterans are self-employed or employed in small businesses unable to negotiate more favorable across-the-board insurance policy pricing. The American Legion also believes that some employers, especially small businesses, would be reluctant to hire veterans with service-connected disabilities due to the negative impact their employment might have on obtaining and financing company health care benefits.

"I got the distinct impression that the only hope of this plan not being enacted," said Commander Rehbein, "is for an alternative plan to be developed that would generate the desired $540-million in revenue. The American Legion has long advocated for Medicare reimbursement to VA for the treatment of veterans. This, we believe, would more easily meet the President's financial goal. We will present that idea in an anticipated conference call with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emmanuel in the near future.

"I only hope the administration will really listen to us then. This matter has far more serious ramifications than the President is imagining," concluded the Commander.

SOURCE The American Legion

[Hitspinner]

It's the frackin Twilight Zone.... Or one more step towards privatising the military under central corporate control. The universal soldier now seems just a few feet away. God and country are becoming quaint, antiquated words as we head for "Change."

[mashby]

The only change I can subscribe to is the change for less bullshit in our government. I'm afraid to say that all I'm seeing is more bullshit.

[WizFomOz]

Seems like the guys in the field should go on strike to make the politicians wake up to what it's all about.
If they want to run the Military (VA)  under a civilian structure, then give 'em a civilians answer to their proposed changes!!!!
Those Assholes in Washington seem bent on doing the Haliburton $$$$$$$ shuffle all over again.

Should have remembered  the old adage 'Beware of what you wish for' when you'all voted Obama and his 'Change' in...
Now you've  got it, all in spades, within the  first 50 days of Barack being Commander in Chief.

Wish you luck

Wiz

[Aussiegirl]

Crikey!! Governments send men and women to war - governments should pay for the consequences to those men and women. I'm shocked by this. I reckon the military should go on strike - funnily enough it would probably have the effect of preventing wars somewhat, as it is only the dumb, stupid, self-serving people in irresponsible government that ever want war. Ask most folks in the street and they don't want it. And it don't matter what party is in either - based on my travels, governments are the same the world over (with greater or lesser degrees of greed, self-aggrandizement, seriousness, corruption and lying BS) And I'm faced with HAVING to vote or breaking the law as it it the law that you must vote here in Australia or face a big fine. Give me someone I can trust and I'll vote for him or her. Looks like I'll be waiting a L-O-N-G time for that.

[JannaR]

I can't say what I think... too mad. This is why I don't vote. You think you're picking the best man for the job, given the crappy choices to choose from. Then for your trouble, you get a swift kick in the ass.

[JannaR]

PS....I sent him a lovely email!:
OBAMA?..........YOU SUCK! It's because of politicians like you that I don't vote.  America is quickly becoming one of the poorest countries, not monitarily, but in wisdom, compassion, and commen sense!
You're willing to bail out the rich, but not the people who actually serve & fight for this country...SHAME ON YOU!
The way you're going, you better get some very deep pockets for all the 'donations' you'll be getting. Your place is definately assured, but I'm not so sure it'll be in heaven.

[Hitspinner]

Well, I already got my flag, my ammo and have hidden dry and canned goods.
I see it coming but I've been wrong before. But I do have a lot of trust in mob theory. LOL
It's about time to string up some  some of those idiots that think they can fail and still deserve bonuses. Who TF are these people??? They ain't from my planet.

[Magyver]

Number 1, I don't have a profile pic yet, which is good, cuz I'm nekkid.

Number 2, since when in registration is the correct answer for "What is 7 x 6" not 42 beers?

But getting past the preliminaries, whats wrong with this picture, is insanity.   

Duh... If you can convince me that the Administration is not socialist, and trying to bankrupt and ruin this country, have at it.

But don't expect to succeed...... just sayin......

[mashby]

42 beers is indeed the correct answer.
 

I agree that the current administration is indeed leaning towards the socialist mentality. I can't be convinced that they are trying to bankrupt and ruin this country; although, that's the natural outcome of being socialist. Look at Cuba.

[Keb]

I can't get my head any deeper in the sand. Everything looks OK from there.