I actually thought this article was more interesting for the various "benefits" it describes for survivors of military members killed in action. I thought that stuff would be of interest to people here, plus if Bush signs the bill he will be helping service members and their families for a change.
In the link I used the original title of the article. Kind of annoying isn't it because it implies (at least to me) something different than what the article is about.
Mary Dalrymple on Salon.com wrote:
The House voted 420-0 to give final congressional approval to a bill increasing the current $6,000 benefit to $12,000 and make the payment tax-free. Lawmakers granted the death gratuity to families of soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Military and reserve personnel steadily called for duty in Iraq also would benefit from new tax breaks on home sales, travel expenses and child care.
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Families typically get payment from a $250,000 life insurance policy, a benefit that few service members choose to reduce or eliminate.
Families do not pay federal income taxes for the year the service member died. Surviving spouses, while still unmarried, and surviving children get a monthly dependency compensation payment. They are also eligible for full Social Security death and survivors' benefits.
Mary Dalrymple on Salon.com wrote:The bill balances $1.2 billion in expanded benefits and new tax cuts with an extension of customs fees, so it has no cost to the U.S. Treasury.
By the pricking of my thumb,
Something wicked this way comes.
Open, locks,
Whoever knocks.
I certainly hope this is signed and I will be severly disappointed if Bush fails to sign it. The survivors of our fallen soldiers deserve to be looked after the loss of a loved one. It's time that everyone begins looking after our soldiers and their families.
Stormbringer wrote:I certainly hope this is signed and I will be severly disappointed if Bush fails to sign it. The survivors of our fallen soldiers deserve to be looked after the loss of a loved one. It's time that everyone begins looking after our soldiers and their families.
I would think he'd sign it since the numbers game makes it look like it won't cost the treasury anything. That should be right up this administration's alley. Besides, he could use some good wil from the military right about now.
Tsyroc wrote:I would think he'd sign it since the numbers game makes it look like it won't cost the treasury anything. That should be right up this administration's alley. Besides, he could use some good wil from the military right about now.
I would think so too. But then again sanity and government don't go hand in hand.
Not like Bush can veto it with much success. Congress has a 100% agree on this. They already have super-majority, and overriding his veto would be a simple matter.
Sì! Abbiamo un' anima! Ma è fatta di tanti piccoli robot.
kojikun wrote:Not like Bush can veto it with much success. Congress has a 100% agree on this. They already have super-majority, and overriding his veto would be a simple matter.
Him vetoeing in the first place will kill him so to speak.
Soo, if I join...I'm worth 12 grand to the military.......hmmm heh.~Jason
I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season."
kojikun wrote:Not like Bush can veto it with much success. Congress has a 100% agree on this. They already have super-majority, and overriding his veto would be a simple matter.
They have a supermajority in the House as it stands but nothing is mentioned about the Senate. Vetos aren't easy to override even with a large majority for the initial vote. I would hope Bush would simply sign it.
Tsyroc wrote:Hopefully, if you join, you will not opt out of the military insurance program.
What? They have an insurance program?!~Jason
I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season."
Tsyroc wrote:Hopefully, if you join, you will not opt out of the military insurance program.
What? They have an insurance program?!~Jason
Life, medical, and dental insurance are the one I'm aware of.
For National Guard, all dependants get full medical and dental care if the sponsor is put on active duty for over 30 days. Or at least that's what my military ID says.
Nathan F wrote:
For National Guard, all dependants get full medical and dental care if the sponsor is put on active duty for over 30 days. Or at least that's what my military ID says.
It's the same for Active military as well. Granted the healthy dependants lose the benefits once they turn 23.
Soontir C'boath wrote: What? They have an insurance program?!~Jason
Military life insurance is mentioned in the article. I think the normal amount pays $250,000 to the service member's beneficiaries. When I was in there were some options for higher or lower amounts depending on what you wanted to pay in monthly premiums (in all cases it's not much).
Keep in mind that a quarter-million dollars of term life insurance for a typical young adult male is normally about $25/mo. Of course, soldiers technically have a bad risk, but that's only in wartime. Under normal circumstances, I doubt the fatality rates for young adult males are that much higher in the military than they are in civilian life. Hell, you probably face a higher risk of death from shooting if you just drive on the freeway during rush hour.
"It's not evil for God to do it. Or for someone to do it at God's command."- Jonathan Boyd on baby-killing
"you guys are fascinated with the use of those "rules of logic" to the extent that you don't really want to discussus anything."- GC
"I do not believe Russian Roulette is a stupid act" - Embracer of Darkness
"Viagra commercials appear to save lives" - tharkûn on US health care.
Darth Wong wrote:Keep in mind that a quarter-million dollars of term life insurance for a typical young adult male is normally about $25/mo. Of course, soldiers technically have a bad risk, but that's only in wartime. Under normal circumstances, I doubt the fatality rates for young adult males are that much higher in the military than they are in civilian life. Hell, you probably face a higher risk of death from shooting if you just drive on the freeway during rush hour.
The US military lost about a thousand people from to duty accidents in 2002, then there are of course deaths from off duty accidents and in combat.
"This cult of special forces is as sensible as to form a Royal Corps of Tree Climbers and say that no soldier who does not wear its green hat with a bunch of oak leaves stuck in it should be expected to climb a tree"
— Field Marshal William Slim 1956
