GOP Senator Calls Veteran’s Care ‘Entitlement’ We ‘Can’t Afford’

[doxydad]

The next time any Republican accuses President Obama or the Democrats of not supporting our veterans, please point them in the direction of Republican senator Jeff Sessions from Alabama who, along with only two other Senators – both Republican – voted against the bi-partisan veterans bill which aimed to ease the healthcare delays for veterans by giving them more access to private care and allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs the funds to open more clinics and hire more medical staff. It passed the House of Representatives unanimously.

But Sessions wasn’t feeling that bi-partisan “support the troops” facade that the GOP loves to paint:
“I feel strongly we’ve got to do the right thing for our veterans. But I don’t think we should create a blank check, an unlimited entitlement program, now.”
This, coming from the party who charged America 24 billion dollars for an immigrant to read Green Eggs and Ham on the Senate floor.

And does Sessions really see this as an entitlement? After you and your entire party blasted President Obama and Veteran’s Affairs secretary Shinseki for being incompetent, you call this an entitlement? I would think our veterans receiving the healthcare they deserve, and not being placed on a 2+ month waiting list would be a priority, not an entitlement. However, it should be noted that “entitlement” (something you are entitled to) has taken on a different and very negative meaning in recent years because Republicans would like to demonize anyone, including veterans, who receive monetary benefits.

The bill would require an emergency supplemental appropriation mainly for the opening of the 26 clinics.

Sessions served in the Army reserve from 1973-1986. He is now a United States Senator, and has been one since 1997. He has his healthcare, and quite a good plan. He doesn’t have to wait 2+ months to see a doctor. He can see one right in the Capitol building if he really wanted to. If anything, Sessions is the one taking the entitlement.

Hey Senator Chickenhawk, those veterans offered you a blank check with their lives. Cut some funding in corporate subsidies them maybe you can talk about “entitlements.” Soldiers are Probably Slightly Less Boring Than Working at election time when Republicans need votes. Between elections, not so much. With that in mind, I guess someone forgot to tell Sessions that there’s an election this year. Maybe he’s not up until 2016?

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2014/06/14/veterans-entitlement/

[liberal N proud]

1. What we can't afford is to have a congress full of hypocrites like this one.

What a fucking asshole.

[hobbit709]

2. Fuck him and the horse he rode in on.

[Scarsdale]

3. Healthcare

WHY are taxpayers still supplementing the healthcare for these do-nothings in DC? Let them pay for their own care, that is an "entitlement" they could afford for themselves. Take it away, add the savings to the Veteran's healthcare instead. Given a choice, who would choose to pay for the politicians care over a vet? Imagine how much it has cost for Dickless Cheney's care all these years, and he is a billionaire. Little Johnny McCain also.

[sarge43]

5. For the record, Johnny has had paid for gov't health care all his life

Dependent of active duty naval officer

Active duty himself

Military retirement

Funny how they never mention their "entitlements".

By the way, veteran health care is not an entitlement. It's a promise made by the government in exchange for honorable military service.

[fasttense]

14. It's NOT an "entitlement" it's a repair job

The government, GOP included, send us off to fight wars for them. If we don't die, we troops get injured, severely injured. Some get more damaged than others. Providing unlimited health care for them is merely repairing the damage that the wars have done. Don't want to pay the health care of vets? Well, don't start any wars.

[sarge43]

45. That, too. nt

[kokobell616]

53. Well Said

Nearly speechless over the audacity of Sessions et al republicans thinking WAR is without costs.

[BadtotheboneBob]

32. That's kinda what this DAV-Life Member thinks...

... among other things far too profane to post. But, I will call 'im a "sumbitch" and a "prick', though... Oh, "Bastard", too. They're fairly tame compared to what I'm REALLY thinkin'... (No violence, though... but, I can't vouch for what other disabled Vets might think.)

[sakabatou]

43. +100

[blkmusclmachine]

4. 1%'ers would rather Vets die on enemy soil, than return home and need a Gov't service for anything.

[cantbeserious]

6. The 1% Have To Be Protected At The Expense Of The 99%

eom

[unhappycamper]

7. A country that does not take care of its veterans should not make any more veterans.

[riqster]

8. This^^^^

[brer cat]

10. +1000

[Arkansas Granny]

29. Absolutely!

[think]

38. agree /nt

[titanicdave]

9. Well Sessions,

if you truly feel we should not aid our wounded vest to the very best of our ability when they return from a war zone, then don't sent any troops into any fucking war anywhere in the fucking world.......then that problem would never exist, you ass hat...

[Diclotican]

11. doxydad

doxydad

Then it is maybe time for a real cutback in military "entitlement" for waging war all over the place - as it is costly - and something US can not afford anymore - if the veterans of US wars could not be given the health care they deserve - then it might be a vise move to cut back on the tools who make it possible for veterans to be damaged in the first place - like venture into wars who US will loose the fight - like Iraq and Afghanistan.. And where the last of them Iraq was made up on piles of lies so clearly that people understood it a decade ago... Not enough to get the war off the table sadly enough - but clearly enough to make many make a stand against the war at leas..

I guess, if Pentagons budget was trimmed - like say 35-50 percent over the next decade - and the money you get from there - is spend on infrastructure - veterans - and all the other things who is going the wrong way in the US - you would still have a bad ass Military who could kick the famous ass against everyone who wanted to cross the US - if some of the most, wastefully programs the Pentagons have today was gutted - and the resources spend on things the Pentagons was in need of - then even with the cutbacks over the next decade - the US would still have a first rate military - with some of the most advanced weapons in the world - and specially if any of the "intelligence organizations" black program was also gutted once and for all - then it is possible the US would have far more money on their hands than they would know how to spend...

And the cutbacks should also be used to make jobs in the US, so veterans - and most americans could have the possibility of making a better future than the past have been - that and sticker federal laws on all levels - should make sure that it would be less easy for big corporations to steal and plunder the public coffins...

And maybe also cut back on entitlements" for the US Congress and Senate would be in order - after all they work for the people do they not ? And are in no need of having a better life than the average american who have to decide from day to day if they really are in any need of going to hospital for that bulb in the back, or to check up that dizziness they always have....


Diclotican

[Scarsdale]

23. Representatives

There are way too many of these dead-wood types in office. Which branch of the service was Sessions in, or was he like Dickless Cheney and was defered? Take away their pensions and healthcare. They all leave office as millionaires, yet taxpayers are stuck paying their pensions and healthcare for them and their families!! No wonder they do not want to go out and find REAL jobs. How many DAYS did they work last year? Very few. Time for each state to keep track of the ones who supposedly "represent" them, and keep their feet to the fire. We should DEMAND action on unemployment insurance, healthcare, veteran care and jobs. What do they think they are there for - just to get rich?The people in Arizona are paying little Johnny Mac to appear on TV EVERY Sunday, plus most days through the week, when he is supposed to be attending meetings. He skips the meetings, goes on TV bitching about not being told anything. He was caught playing video poker one time when he was at a meeting. I wonder if Cindy finances his re-election each time, so he will stay in DC?

[Diclotican]

36. Scarsdale

Scarsdale

I guess your right about that many in DC are in reality in there just for the politics - and also because it is seen as a way to get connected - after the retirement they still have connections all around them - and are in no way in any danger of being poor again.. As you point out many of them end up rich beyonds most peoples dream - and are also used to a health care system most americans have no clue about - if they had - they dam sure are not getting any of it...

And from what I have been reading here on DU and other places like it - I doubt many of them have doing to much other han obstruct the possibility of making progress when it came to tonnes of things like veteran benefits bills - health care bills - and thousands of others more or less important bills who again and again have been filibustered out of existence from a republican leaded Congress out of this world - and Mr Sessions have been of the worst of the gang who have filibustered every bill they have had the possibility to filibuster....

And then we have McCain, who have going from doing a decent job - and often seen as one of the more moderate republicans out there - to be more and more like a clown - who demand answers he could have got - if he had been at meetings where answers was fort coming - I would say McCain is starting to be somewhat of a clown this days - a old, war torn clown who act out and treat people more an more mean as he ages... And even treat former POW in a way that I would hope he never did - after all he have been a POW himself - and should know how hard it is... And as you point out - even being caught red handed - Playing video poker at a time when he was in a meeting - I know government meetings can be hard to stommage sometimes - but you do not gamble in a meeting I mean...

Maybe its time for McCain to retire - to one of his many houses - I guess his wife would love to have him some around - even if he was grumpy and nuts..

Diclotican

[tanyev]

12. You start talking about the "wars we can't afford", Sessions, and maybe I'll listen to you.

[GeorgeGist]

13. No wonder we can't have nice things ...

not only have Republicans bastardized the word entitlement, but most Americans have fallen for the ruse.

[SmittynMo]

15. These friggin idiots should have thought of that

before they sent them to wars they lied about. The GOP(war mongering, pull the trigger assholes) love to go to war, but not the consequences surrounding them. We need to get these idiots out of office.

[Ilsa]

16. Dear Moron Sessions: Veterans' care is part of the cost of

Going to war, you chickenhawk fucker.

[yuiyoshida]

17. Republicans are the

Scum of the earth. This Scientifically proves it. Next time there is a war, Let Sean Hannity go fight the damn thing.

[avebury]

18. If we cannot afford to take care of our Vets, then

we cannot afford to send them to war in the first place. Imagine if the miltary had a whole sale strike on this issue. What exactly do you think anybody could do about it?

[Baitball Blogger]

19. They talk out of both sides of their mouth.

They create divisions with military men and Liberals by spreading the lie that Liberals don't respect soldiers; at the same time that they're in Congress, removing their medical benefits. Disgraceful.

[marew]

20. Infuriating! Beyond infuriating!

I hope this is broadcast to all Americans and especially veterans groups! Where are the GOP's fecking priorities? Oh, that's right- with the uber wealthy and corporations!

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

21. Oh. Is the VA too expensive?

Then fight your next god damned war yourself, you chickenhawk piece of shit.

[TxVietVet]

22. Lyin' Paul Ryan sent me a letter years ago. He's against Veterans care.

He wants to pick and choose how to classify a vet by the fact the vet was in an ACTUAL war and ACTUAL combat. When I lived in Wisconsin, I heard many a true believer wingnut complain about vets and the VA. But to sell bu$h/cheney wars, the conservanazis proclaimed "Support the Troops". I've said all along it was another conservanazi ruse. Now, it's rearing it's ugly head on the national stage. The long term effects are starting to show up for Vietnam veterans.

McInsane has lived off a government paycheck ALL OF HIS LIFE. Ryan has been sucking on the government teat since he was a teenager. Hypocrisy is a word they cannot understand.

I say, keep the pressure on them about supporting the veterans. Keep it a hot topic. Remember this in November.

If the rat bastard conservanazis don't like taking care of veterans, then they should start any more wars.

If you want to find out what goes on at a VA hospital, volunteer to help. The VA provides great care for veterans. Many don't use it wisely. Some patients, notably conservanuts, will complain while they are receive service there. You couldn't please those people if you had to.

[The Wizard]

48. Good afternoon my FB friend

Some people just need a good beating. Sessions should be publicly horse whipped by angry disabled veterans.

[11 Bravo]

24. But it's OK because he has a "Support our Troops" bumper sticker ...

on every one of his cars!

[Third Doctor]

25. I hate the fact he is the senator from my state.

But he does NOT represent me.

[whathehell]

26. That disgusting Piece of Shit..

I do so hope the veterans in his state read this and remember it this November.

[DonCoquixote]

27. I oppse the death penalty

But frankly, if I did not, I would love to see a company of injured war vets take this fool and use of some of that combat training on him.

[Sanity Claws]

28. At the same time, other Republicans say we have to send ground troops to Iraq

The republican message: we'll send you to war but we won't bring you back in you're a POW and we won't pay for your medical care, if you do get back.

[Feral Child]

30. K&R n/t

[Orsino]

31. The war pigs' checks always bounce.

They wouldn't pay for their war; they won't pay for the clean-up, either.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

33. Jefferson Beauregard Sessions is the most vile member of the Senate

[atreides1]

34. The truth as I see it

The previous administration wanted more flag draped coffins and fewer wounded...why else would you send in units that were not properly equipped or properly trained...because a higher body count would have been less expensive!

Unfortunately, as has happened in the past...soldiers were able to improvise and adapt to the situation they were placed in...whether it was welding armor onto Hummers and other non-armored vehicles...or having the folks back in the states sending body armor to those who were never issued any!

Because of this ingenuity, the body count wasn't as high as the cowards in the White House, Congress, and the Pentagon had hoped for...let's face a fact, it's a lot cheaper to provide a one time lump sum payment for the contents of a body bag, then it is to pay for the lifetime treatment of a soldier with either psychological or physical wounds!

So, Senator Sessions can go fuck himself...and when he does, it should be with the Washington Monument!

[muntrv]

35. If so, then don't push for more wars.

[grahamhgreen]

37. Apparently we can always afford another war that we can't afford.

[blackspade]

39. Fuck you Sessions.

You and all your perfidious kind.

[sinkingfeeling]

40. Wonder when Sen. Sessions will end the entitlement to oil companies.

[tclambert]

41. But it's okay to give billions in corporate welfare to oil companies

and give no-bid contracts to war profiteers.

[raouldukelives]

42. Too bad we didn't waste all that forward momentum for single payer

generated by decades of medical horror stories, mass protests and the works of people like Michael Moore.
It would have solved the VA problems instead of needing us to dump extra billions into a failing system and enshrining insurance companies forever between us and health care.
But then at the end of the day all we would really be doing is helping people instead of providing as much profit to grafters as possible.

[samsingh]

44. we can't afford the gop's stupidity

[The Wizard]

46. Elected Republicans don't go into the military

And Jeff sessions is a failed attorney who turned to politics because no on in their right mind wanted him as an advocate.

[jmowreader]

47. How safe is Sessions' seat?

I have it on good authority that Jefferson Beauregard Sessions never saw a tax cut for the rich he didn't like.

I also have it on good authority that he's up for reelection this year.

My guess is, a blue dog (progressivity is not Alabama's defining characteristic) who understands "support the troops" also includes supporting them AFTER they come home broken, and who can teach the voters the last 45 tax-cuts-for-the-rich-to-create-jobs didn't fucking work so we need to try something new, could do pretty well against this scumbag.

[VA_Jill]

49. Let's just

give little Jeffy Sessions a gun and drop him in Iraq or Afghanistan with a pickup beacon that's set to go off in 13 months. We'll see how long he lasts and what we pick up. Entitlement, my ass!

[Zambero]

50. The quintessential cannon-fodder Republican

Salute the flag, provide unlimited lip service in "support" of military personnel, vote for unlimited $$$ to prop up the military-industrial complex, support pre-emptive wars as often as possible, send troops in multiple times to risk their lives, but by God hold the line and set some limits if and when they ever need care related to their deployments. With his remarks, Sessions is excellent poster child material, representing conservatives who talk up a storm about their patriotism but could care less about consequences to the ones who are asked to make actual sacrifices.

[heaven05]

51. I went to discussionist. com with this info

Man! the RWer's whining most sanctimoniously about being able to pay for it. Never mentioning all the obstruction of all the bills designed to help the veterans that have been put forth in the last 6 years by Democrats. Nothing of RW obstruction of the "brown tyrant". Even some RC democrats were echoing the same sentiment. Trillions wasted on a war based on lies, and the RW cannot "in good conscience" pay for our wounded vets. Calling their care an "entitlement". Damn their souls.

[sulphurdunn]

52. Sen. Jefferson Beauregard Session III

is a poster child for why we fought the Civil War. What happened?

[Veilex]

54. "But I don’t think we should create a blank check, an unlimited entitlement program"

That entitlement program was created the instant our people were sent off to war. That entitlement comes in the form of responsibility to those who put their lives on the line at the behest of this country.

Bottom line? Yes it is an entitlement , cause guess what? Those vets are ENTITLED TO IT!!!!

[secondwind]

55. God, these people are horrible!! when will this ever END?

[Cha]

56. THat's fucking Obscene. It should be against the law to be that stupid.

[DeSwiss]

57. The problem is.....

...that this information is going to the wrong people. Forward this and all other similar articles to your TeaBagger relatives and friends.

- Go on, admit it! Everybody's got at least one......

K&R

[LoisB]

58. Isn't he the jackass who never got over not making it to the Supreme Court? He

needs to spend some time in a VA hospital emptying bedpans.

[emsimon33]

59. Any person in Alabama that votes for this jerk should be ashamed

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

62. They won't be. After all, they'll say, at least he's not a freakin'

liberal!!!! Certain people have been so brainwashed to think that way that they will vote for anyone as long as they're not a liberal.

[HooptieWagon]

60. There is a simple answer to funding veteran's health care.

Garnish the wages of every single Senator and Congressman who voted for the Iraq War, until every wounded vet is taken care of.

[hughee99]

61. Hey Sessions, if you want to save money on

Veterans' care, stop sending them to fucking wars.

[D Gary Grady]

64. "Entitlement" doesn't mean giveaway!

I paid Social Security and Medicare taxes for the requisite amount of time and I served in the Navy. That means I have a legal right to Social Security, Medicare, and some veterans' benefits. They're not charity or welfare. Like everyone else in my position, I earned the right to them fair and square. In short, I'm entitled to them.

Go back and re-read that last sentence. That's what makes them an "entitlement," by definition.

Please don't buy in to the right-wing meme that an "entitlement" means "giveaway." It doesn't. It's something people are entitled to as a matter of law. The GOP loves to pretend otherwise, so when they talk about "entitlement reform" a lot of voters won't realize they're going after Social Security, Medicare, veterans' benefits, and the like.

[Quantess]

65. Can someone clarify this for me?

This, coming from the party who charged America 24 billion dollars for an immigrant to read Green Eggs and Ham on the Senate floor.