The Pentagon was the outfit that declared the media off limits to soldiers in Walter Reed Building number 18. My cousin is there. He was featured on a Fox News segment about a week ago, saying that while the conditions weren't very good, they would have to make due. It was an admirable thing for him to say, but it really sucks that we, as a society, say that we place a high value on our soldiers, but when it comes to forking over the cash that can actually help them, it's, "Go pound sand." You are stunningly narrowminded to blame the left for the conditions at Walter Reed. Who has been at the control of the purse strings for the last twelve years (prior to November)?

When Harry S Truman was President he had a sign on his deck "The Buck Stops Here."

Everything - good or bad - is the President's fault.  The President is the guy in charge.  And that's what it means to be in charge.

As Harry also said, "If you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen."

And, actually, overspending on pork in the military defense budget is a huge issue.  And it has been oh, since 9/11...

As far as "spending lovers" go, you can't beat the Republicans who have been running things in Washington, DC for years.  How could you possibly blame the the other party when we've had a Republican President and a Republican majority in both Houses of Congress?

And - by the way - who said too many injured military people have been saved?

Actually, senior leaders of the Bush Administration HAVE repetitively visited both Walter Reed and Bathesda, including the president.

Did anyone conduct an inspection of everyroom?  No, nor did I when I visited a friend in the hospital.

Regarding the promises to Vets not receiving military healthcare.  That stems from the Clinton years when we closed most Military hospitals on posts and farmed out the care to the nearby towns due to budget cuts.  The only thing you can get at most post medial centers now are 5 year physicals.

Therefore, please do not lay this at the feet of the current administration.

I would imagine Presidents during wartime visit soldiers.

Just because the left wing MSM doesn't report every visit, doesn't mean that President Bush or other politicians from both sides of the aisle don't visit soldiers.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/bushsalute.htm

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/m/mikemcnaughton.htm

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/c/chad-snowden.htm

"I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane"  Waylon Jennings

I hate to tell you but in the contract you sign for enlistment there is no place that guarantees or promises medical care after retirement.

Retirees have had to pay for medical care in some form or fashion for some time. I don't know when it started. But having recently retired (Oct 2006) I can tell you that the amount I pay is less then the amount you will ever pay. For a family of six I pay about $115 a quarter (that's about $460 a year) for two adults and four children. Additionally, since my family receives all its medical care at the hospital on post, I make no co-pay for any visit. If I am refered to an off-post clinic I make no co-pay. I don't pay for prescriptions either (as long as I get them at the military hospital on post). I don't pay for emergency room visits. As a matter of fact, my medical benefits are exactly as they were while I was in the military the only difference being that as an active duty soldier I could go to sick call if I needed to in the mornings. Now I have to make an appointment or go to the emergency room (which does stink). This is the Tricare Prime plan.

All retirees (and families) are automatically covered free under Tricare Basic (I believe it's called). The difference being that you do make co-pays and there are some other differences as well. Regardless, the co-pays are still cheaper than what you are paying probably.

Veteran's and retiree benefits have taken a beating under all administrations since the Articles of Confederation were enacted. So don't make this out to be a partisan issue. However, VA has received more funding in the last six years then the previous eight. Additionally, I can tell you that all of my interactions with the VA have been fabulous. They are undergoing drastic changes for the better. Still, there are many things I wish they would change. They are not saints.

I'm not attempting to defend undefendable mistakes on the part of VA (hospital conditions), but its getting better. I wonder how (as a whole) the VA system stacks up against civilian hospitals.

Additionally, don't forget this...if you want socialized medicine then you can expect more of this kind of treatment and conditions then less of it.

I see the head of Walter Reed got axed. Hopefully more heads shall roll.

Leave it to Sarc to work in Libertarians into the discussion, hahaha!

Can't handle the truth, eh?

So you've been there!  I'm impressed!  But I'm not talking about tourists and tourist dollars.  I'm talking about people who live there.

So you read "Mr. Smith is Dead" and you have no problem with a bloated defense budget loaded with pork that takes money from the vital equipment replacement and reserve funds and spends it on - junk.  And gets our people killed.

You have no problem with opportunistic politicians immediately jumping on the post 9/11 bandwagon to push their pet projects through Congress - while our military suffers from outdated equipment, un-armored vehicles, and the like?

Are you not interested in learning anything or running the risk of hearing a point of view that very well may be correct?

CDI has a series of outstanding publications on military defense.  They were one of the early advocates of spending money on our troops and not simply on high tech war gadgets.

PS:  How many millions of dollars have Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward raised for charity?  Can you name another pair of actors who have done more for others?