Back in April, when McCain finally released his 2006 tax reports, he also came clean about receiving a tax free "pension" from the Navy. Now, when most people hear the word "pension", they assume its a retirement pension.No--what Mr. McCain is receiving is a disabilty pension--a pension that states he is 100% disabled! Now, in my view, a disability check for a 100% disability means that the person can't work, right? Veterans come back from Iraq with traumatic brain injuries and don't receive a 100% disabilty, so why does John McCain?
I understand that Mr. McCain spent 5 years as a POW. I also understand that he had 22 years accredited to him. That should count for something. But this is also a man that votes against veteran benefits in the senate--so should he receive a complete disability pension when paraplegic veterans have to fight for the benefit? When vets come home with traumatic brain injury, they don't receive an annual pension worth over $58K, why should John McCain?
He has ran his presidential campaign as someone who is vital far beyond his age--the old "age ain't nuthin but a number" routine. But, if he is so vital, how can he honestly receive a disability check from the military? Even if legally he has no choice but to receive this benefit(because of his age), shouldn't he, for looks if nothing else, give it to charities that benefit veterans?
Its not like he or his wife are in the poorhouse and wouldn't be able to live without it. Military.com has a complete list of the rules regarding normal veteran pension rates vs. disability, both with information on combat pensions.
I listen to McCain's "my friends" speeches and see such a disconnect from middle class/working class reality. I look at his positions and see the input of robber barons and lobbyists; with McCain denying their friendliness to his campaign. And I see his voting record on veterans' benefits which is deplorable; either not voting or voting "no" since 2005. Too bad other vets don't fall into the category of Phill Gramm or banking.....
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Comments: 31
I have to agree, though, that there is an appearance of "double-dipping" ... he gets salary (will get pension) and full medical benefits through his Senate seat. The military is chronically short of money needed to treat those who cannot work because of their injuries. While he may qualify, perhaps he should consider declining this benefit considering his other income/benefits.
I retired, with a full pension, from state service, BUT if I every run for office, my pension is suspended until I'm out of office--no dishonest double dipping.
If I am considered 100% disabled by either social security or my state pension and get another job, no more disablity pension--if I'm old enough a regular pension, but not disabled--because to be disabled means you can't work(duh) to some percentage.
Elizabeth--again--it doesn't take much information to see that this doesn't add up for the American people or other veterans--to receive most pensions, the person MUST INITIATE IT. And what about the vets that come home with traumatic brain injury? They have to fight for their benefits, why not him? He says his knee hurts him sometimes...ok, so 10% disability, not 100%!
Its also very disingenious to play the "he served the military" which gives him a pass on being honest??? For caring about fellow veterans??
The author appears to have never served a day on active duty nor understand the system she/he is complaining about. He/She should do their homework before complaining. There are many people that can work and want to. A single person only makes $2527 a month unless there is something special like loss of reproductive organ. or more. Most people don't make 58k in disability payments. Senator McCain is probably getting 100% with SMC 0 or P. This means he has some serious problems.
I don't see to many veterans complaining about how much Senator McCain is getting. Instead they state that trying to live off of $30324 a year is very hard. Why hasn't the Federal Government implimented the recommendations of the Veterans Commision by increasing the rates by 25%? Why isn't anyone complaining about all the veterans that have to live off the paltry sum of money the VA hands out instead of complaining about something they don't understand and don't try to understand.
On the non-argument about what most vets get--that's my argument--why is it that this man, who sings, "bombbombbomb, bombbomb Iran" and makes cracks about having a 100 year war(which he tried to clear up afterwards because he didn't know he was on video), gets almost DOUBLE what most vets get.
And remember that McCain has come out against the Veterans Commission's report--he gets his money and then some, why worry about the peons?
And why aren't people/veterans upset about this? Because the corporate media let the story die, that's why! Check out votevets.org, ivaw.org--maybe you need to check whatever sources you seem to think YOU know.
Hence the whole battle over line item vetoes.
Love comments as "you are clueless"--this from someone whose moniker is that of a made up villain that always loses--so you see yourself as a loser, eh LL?
My point was that a DISABILITY pension is just that--for a disability. If you are receiving a disability pension and then recover, your disability pension is redetermined--why does John McCain receive a 100% disability pension and no one disapproves or raises questions about this?
Because he is a Republican and a neoConservative, and a "have." These factions, who are mostly the same, have rights to things the rest of us can only dream of. Surely you know about his health care coverage? What does he want to do for the rest of us? Keep sending us to the poor house with the expenses our "insurance" doesn't cover!
And he votes against(or doesn't show up to vote) veterans' benefits consistently--that is just shameful.
good article...
I challenge you to THANK vets for their service to the country you live in, instead of criticize them, no matter who they are and how "wealthy" they may be. Know this, unless you served in the military, you have absolutely no idea what vets go through and have gone through. You can watch all of the tv shows, movies, and try to get some explanation from some so-called journalist - until you LIVED it, you don't know and do yourself and everyone else a favor - don't act like you know and don't act like you should have a voice as to whether a veteran should or should not receive a disability check or any other benefit. Remember, if that veteran did not serve the country you live in, you would not have a voice at all.
Semper Fi
Bottom line, until you serve in the military, in a foreign war, and become a P.O.W. for 5+ yrs, you have absolutely NO RIGHT to judge what he does. He is collecting a benefit that he deserves and is entitled to - END OF STORY!!! If you know people who are not collecting disability or if their disability rating is low compared to their condition, then they need to get off of their tails and do something about it - go and file a claim. Heck, there are people employed just to help vets file claims, but you, the vet, needs to get out there and make it happen.
Semper Fi
Look past the old uniform he wore and what he actually does. Vets file claims all the time that are denied. I know, I've worked with many of them. Why are they denied? Oh...a signature is missing, their doctor said no(although the vet has 5 doctors, including specialists that say yes--and 4 of them were in military/veteran hospitals!); or just putting the poor guy through torture to try and get the disability--like, well, you have 2 years left so you have to go back...or....if you take this gen discharge(instead of disability) we'll give you a 20% dis check(although s/he deserves at least a 60+% disability check). But when you're being threatened with going back to the front in horrible pain, you take what is offered.
You need to figure out that the only way anything changes is by questioning authority and critism....no one looks at it any other way. And McCain's voting record regarding veteran's benefits/rights is deplorable.