[Divingdw]

to piss on the Feds. These god damn assholes!

"WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal appeals court Tuesday ruled that the U.S. government does not owe free lifetime medical care to World War II and Korean War veterans who agreed to serve 20 years in exchange, despite promises made to them when they were in the armed forces.

The ruling represents a victory for the federal government, which had argued the veterans were not entitled to the benefits. The ruling will potentially save the government billions of dollars in health care costs.

The 9-4 ruling by the full U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit in Washington, D.C., overturns a ruling by a three-judge appeals panel in February, 2001, which ruled that the veterans were entitled to the lifetime health care based on the military's promises.

In the opinion issued Tuesday the Court said that action taken this year allows for free care in the future, but that the government is not obligated to pick up the medical expenses incurred from 1995 to 2001.

"Because [the law] at most authorizes space available treatment and not free health insurance for life, we hold that the Air Force Secretary lacked the authority in the 1950s when plaintiffs joined to promise free and full medical care," the Court majority said.

The majority of judges, however, clearly seemed sympathetic to the veterans against whom they ruled.

"We ... can do no more than hope Congress will make good on the promises recruiters made in good faith to plaintiffs and others of the World War II and Korean War era from 1941 to 1956 when Congress enacted its first health care insurance act for military members, excluding older retirees," the court majority said.

In an emotional dissent four judges sided with the veterans.

"If Congress can appropriate billions for this aspect of national defense and not know how it is accounted for, then God save the Republic. Of course Congress knew; of course the service secretaries authorized promises in return for service; of course these military officers served until retirement in reliance, and of course there is a moral obligation to these men," read the dissent. "


Ok, so, give our country 20 years of your life, risk your life fighting a war that will change the world as we know it, and what will you get in return? I nice swift kick in the ass! I will never trust the government for anything! Couldn't the god damn feds let these guys die with something? I mean they may be saving billions now, but what the hell, give these guys 10 years and most will be dead anyways. Hence you won't have to keep paying these benefits. Quit promising people shit if you can't back it up, that's all I'm going to say!

thats shitty deals
thanks fer joinging crossfire u should start posting evil:

[SoLiDUS]

Man... sucky deal...

I hope they get stabbed in the eye! biggrin:

[Star85]

yeah its horrible how they screw people over oOo:

[Milla]

Thats such bull shit hake:

[Tripper]

[quote:b6d8e]I hope they get stabbed in the eye! [/quote:b6d8e]

Yeah, with a penis.

That is absolutely FUBAR. fire1:

Fuck I'd be scared out of my mind if liberals like you were in charge; thered be so many "helper" programs and my taxes would be out-fucking-rageous.

Sorry, I feel for them, I do - however this is a decision made based on the actions of men who - according to the courts - werent qualified to make a promise like this. I'm sorry this had to happen, but this is the way the world works folks.

*Dad reads newspapers*

Son:"Whats going on in the world dad?"

Dad:"This country is goin straight to hell!"

[Bleuachdu]

Not to be a dick...

But you do realize that all of America would pay for this in easy weekly installments? Thats right our tax dollars would be paying for these heroes bedpans. Either we'd pay for it, or ole Bush would give up some Saddam ass kicking money. Now I know all you boys are too fired up about killing muslims to give away any of that fundage. After all, this war we'll be going into is completely justified right?

Don't get me wrong. Our veterans do NOT get enough respect as it is. I will be the first one to admit that, however I'm not sure if you realize the scope of things in the grand scheme. Those who were willing to give their lives in the war deserve more than just free healthcare. But if its an issue of legality, I think that the Court of Appeals made an informed and good decision.

So, Pfc Green is this when you'll bitch and moan about the liberals overtaking America? I hope you realize this a small government/pro-Republican right wing type move. In fact the free healthcare sounds very liberal to me indeed.

[Pfc.Green]

Actually I would side with the veterans on this one, they served their country and were promised this, so they should get it. But only these veterans who were promised this. I dont expect free healthcare after I've served my time, you get free healthcare while you serve, and that should be enough you should'nt exit the military expecting handouts for the rest of your life. But these veterans were promised this, so I say give it to'em.

If I a group of whites were promised the entire Anderson line of African-Americans, does that mean they should be allowed to have them, simply because a "promise is a promise".

What folks are failing to realize in all their righteous-indignation is that the world changes and sometimes what worked THEN no longer works now. The courts made a decision. They felt that the promise made back then is not comporable or doable today. Yes, this 100% screws over alot of veterans and their ability to get aid, and I would bitch and moan if I were put in their shoes, but bottom line for whatever reason, that promise isn't feasible now, and has been deemed so.

[Rocket]

This is not an unreasonable thing, and it's a total 'dis on all veterans. As a card carrying conservative, I'd have no problem footing the bill for this. I agree that just because it was promised doesn't mean it should make it so, and that just because it's a promise doesn't make it right. In this case however, the courts just screwed a bunch of worthy guys.

[Low spark]

Originally Posted by Rocket

This is not an unreasonable thing, and it's a total 'dis on all veterans. As a card carrying conservative, I'd have no problem footing the bill for this. I agree that just because it was promised doesn't mean it should make it so, and that just because it's a promise doesn't make it right. In this case however, the courts just screwed a bunch of worthy guys.

No the courts didn't screw any one. A people that made a promise, and didn't follow through to ensure that it would work, they're the ones that screwed the vets.

[Rocket]

You're right, I suppose it wasn't the courts that did the screwing. But they had a chance to follow through and make it right and it didn't happen.