THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 9, 1996 TAG: 9601090011
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 30 lines
During the November government shutdown, I was dismayed to hear many callers on C-Span classify the military as a form of welfare.
We military don't get free housing. Our medical and dental benefits have been cut so badly that supplemental insurance (paid out of our pockets) is often needed to help pay our medical bills. Our educational benefits are dwindling as badly as our health-care benefits. We take in stride our moves every two or three years, the long separations and the possibility of a loss of a loved one due to war. The military protects the general public to make a better place for us all.
Further, on Jan. 3, on C-Span Washington Journal, I was disgusted to find a person defending, via fax, the fact that people who earn $30,000 a year or less (to include many military folks) do pay taxes. Who said we didn't?
The general public's view of the military is a cold slap in the face to our troops.
SANDRA J. DORSEY
Virginia Beach, Jan. 4, 1996 by CNB