U.S. Spends More on Medical Care for Inmates than Seniors, Veterans, Military Personnel

President Obama has repeatedly demonstrated that there’s an extra special place in his heart for incarcerated criminals, but this is a bit much. The administration spends a lot more money on the medical care of jailed convicts than retired seniors on Medicare, active U.S. military personnel or veterans, including an extra $100 million in one year alone, according to a federal audit released this month.
Read more at Judicial Watch Read More......

$10 Billion Later, The VA Makes Veterans Wait Even Longer To Get Care

When Congress rushed in two years ago to fix a chronic delay problem at the Veterans Health Administration, one of the key reforms was a new, $10 billion program called Veterans Choice. The goal was to give vets an option of going to a private doctor if they weren’t able to get a timely appointment with a government-paid VHA doctor.
Read more at Investor's Business Daily Read More......

Union Officials Admit They Let Veterans Die Rather Than Talk To Republicans

Homeless U.S. military veterans stand in line for free services at a "Stand Down" event hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs on November 3, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. A week ahead of Veterans Day, more than 500 homeless veterans were expected to attend the event, where they received free medical care, winter clothing, employment assistance and were able to see a judge to resolve legal issues.
Read more at the Daily Caller Read More......

Former medics find themselves on bottom rung in civilian field

In four deployments as an Army combat medic to some of the most dangerous corners of Iraq and Afghanistan, Joe Carney had seen the worst of war — bullet wounds, severed limbs, shrapnel. He saved lives amid bombs and gunfire, his emergency room often a patch of dirt in the desert or a rocky mountainside. None of that mattered when he left the Army three years ago.


Read more at Stars and Stripes Read More......

VA Sends Veterans’ Medical Info To FBI To Get Their Guns Taken Away

Documents obtained by The Daily Caller and interviews with American veterans reveal a shocking government program: The Department of Veterans Affairs is disarming America’s veterans by getting them placed on the FBI’s criminal background-check list.
The VA sends veterans’ personal medical and financial information directly to the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, which can seize their guns in home raids.
Veterans deemed mentally incompetent or financially incapable are finally speaking out about the errors in the system and the fearful harassment they and their families face from the federal government. And it all starts when vets go to the VA to get medical help.


Read more at the Daily Caller Read More......

Fabricated compassion: Democrats abandon U.S. homeless, veterans and the hungry in rush to roll out red carpet for illegals

"We are all connected. We can't just build a wall or a fence and say no more. This is America. Our doors are open." These are the words of U.S. House of Representatives John Lewis, (1) one of many democrats who seem to be stampeding over each other to see who can offer the most enticements to accelerate the flood of illegal aliens sweeping across America's border.

Those enticements include not just free housing, free health care, free food and free legal representation, they now include the federal government purchasing a massive luxury resort to house illegal children, sporting luxury swimming pools, tennis courts, fitness centers and free wi-fi.

Read more at Natural News
(Hat tip: Kristie) Read More......

One Million Vet March: Veterans standing up for their country once again

American Military News (pictures and videos): UPDATED: Vets March on DC Memorials & White House, Met By Riot Police
Beautiful photo/slideshow of Million Vet March by Katherine Cresto on Flickr (double click on first photo for slideshow) Read More......

American Flag with Obama's picture flies over Democrat HQ in Florida

Veterans complained to Democrat Party officials in Tavers, Florida for flying the American flag with a picture of Pres. Obama in place of the flags' stars in the blue canton. Nancy Hulbert, Chairwoman of the Lake County Democrat Party removed the flag on Tuesday but gave no assurance that it wouldn't fly again. Apparently, the Obama flag had been flown for several months below a correct American flag without complaint. Photo and more of the story at Fox News... Read More......

Jaffe: Troops feel more pity than respect

The event was a Wall Street gala that raised millions of dollars for homeless veterans in New York City. ✧ Kid Rock sang a ballad about helplessness, frustration and loss. On cue, several hundred soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines strode into position around him. The black-tie crowd rose to its feet and cheered. ✧ “The servicemen and women were regarded as heroes,” said David Saltzman, who organized the spring fundraiser. ✧ A senior military officer at the gala, also attended by the Joint Chiefs then-chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, saw the troops’ role differently. ✧ “They were rolled out like some sort of orphan kid,” the officer wrote in an e-mail. “I’m sure the organizers meant well. I know they did. But it wasn’t respect, really. It was pity.” Read more at the Washington Post...

(Hat tip: John H. Detweiler) Read More......

Ride with us on the Republican float in the Veterans Day Parade!

Benton County Republicans will sponsor a float in the Albany Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 11! This parade is the largest Veterans Day Parade west of the Mississippi!

You’re invited to help us get the float ready for judging (be at the float at 8:00 a.m. to prepare for judging at 9:00 a.m.) To ride on the float, be there at 10:30 a.m. We will be float # 173. To find us, go to the information booth in front of the Law Enforcement Building on Jackson Street in Albany. They can tell you exactly where to find us.

Veterans, you are encouraged to wear something that identifies you as a veteran. Patriots of all ages are welcome to ride on the float. Oregon’s candidate for Miss USA will be on the Benton County Republican float. Come ride with us and meet her!

Parade Route: The parade starts at the overpass on Pacific Highway, then right on Lyons, left on 2nd to Ferry St., left to 4th, ending at the Linn County courthouse at 300 3rd Ave. SW. For more information see City of Albany - Veterans Day Parade Read More......

Newsletter 3/7/10: Tired of Liberals Running your State/Country?

Benton Co. Republicans Newsletter
In this issue:

• A Message from Chairman Bob Tiernan, "Why You Should Become a PCP"
  
• Speak Up for Protection for our Active Duty Military and Retired Veterans!

Why You Should Become a PCP

How can you make a difference? Have you considered becoming a precinct Committee Person in your Precinct? PCPs are the lifeblood of the Republican Party. PCPs are the first elective office. You should become a PCP:

• If you want to have the power to truly influence the direction of your party
  
• If you want to have a say in which candidates are nominated
  
• If you’re tired of standing by, complaining while liberals run your state—and your country

PCPs have a voice in what’s happening. As a PCP you’ll

• Elect the leaders of the Benton County Republican Central Committee
  
• Elect the delegates who go to the state and national Republican conventions
  
• Your vote will help ensure that these delegates reflect your values and principles.

PCPs can get directly involved!

• Learn how you can help candidates with their campaigns.
  
• Recruit and organize volunteers.
  
• Help with fundraising.
  
• Leverage your organizational, motivational and managements skills in the service of your principles and ideals.
  
• If you don’t possess these skills, being a PCP can help you develop them.

Be the face of the Republican Party in your precinct.

• Get to know your neighbors and expand your circle of acquaintances.
  
• Register new voters

What are the requirements to be a PCP?

• Live in Benton County
  
• Be registered as a Republican for at least 180 days before the May 18, 2010 election.

The deadline to register as a PCP candidate is Tuesday, March 9. To have a registration form delivered to your door, please e-mail bentoncorepublicans@gmail.com TODAY. You can do this by replying HERE. And thank you for serving our Party.

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Speak Up for Protection for our Active Duty Military and Retired Veterans!

• Attend the "Support the Troops" rallies each Thursday from 12 NOON TO 1 P.M. at the corner of Philomath Blvd. and 53rd Streets.

• Write the Chairman of the Committee on Armed Services in both the House and the Senate and ask them to lead support for currently serving and retired service members and the families and survivors.

Here are the issues:

• Sustain the Defense budget at levels required to meet pressing needs for both personnel and weapons/equipment programs.


• Some are tempted to cut back on personnel and family support programs because of mounting deficits. That would be a tragic mistake.
  
• The planned build-up of forces in Afghanistan will increase deployment requirements and significant increase the heavy burdens imposed on military families.
  
• Our military faces increased risk of traumatic injuries from repeated deployments. This may cause major retention problems. Making sure that our fighting force’s loved ones are not suffering from deprivation lessens the stress on our military men and women.


• Protect the military and its retirees against unintended adverse consequences from national health care reform or VA health coverage, including Tricare for Life. In addition, guard against disproportional fee increases, such as those proposed in the recent past.

The uniformed services community is grateful for Congress’ strong support on these issues in the past. They depend on the Armed Services Committee to continue its leadership in support of those currently serving, as well as retired service members and their families and survivors.

Please address correspondence to:

The Honorable Carl Levin (D-Michigan)
Chairman, Committee on Armed Services
U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Ike Skelton (D-Missouri); Chairman
Committee on Armed Services
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

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This newsletter was sent by e-mail to subscribers by Benton County Republicans, P.O. Box 808, Corvallis OR 97339. Our office is located in the Millrace Center at 1760 S.W. Third Street, Corvallis. Our telephone number is 754 9155. Please visit our website at http://bentongop.blogspot.com.

If you would like to subscribe to our e-mails, please make your subscription request HERE. Thank you. --J. Nelson Read More......

Obama to make Vets pay for their own medical treatment

YAHOO NEWS, 3/16/2009 - The President says he will save $540 million by forcing wounded vets' private insurance to reimburse the government. Vets call this move “unconscionable”

WASHINGTON, 3/16,2009 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The leader of the nation’s largest veterans organization says he is “deeply disappointed and concerned” after a meeting with President Obama today to discuss a proposal to force private insurance companies to pay for the treatment of military veterans who have suffered service-connected disabilities and injuries. The Obama administration recently revealed a plan to require private insurance carriers to reimburse the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in such cases. Read more at Yahoo News... Read More......