Unfair but oh so true. Sadly it has been that way for a very, very long time and I see no end to it soon.

 

i think the 911 victims families are getting way too much money.....but, they should get slightly more than a soldiers family because they were in no way prepared for the incident. a soldiers family knows he is at risk...these people didn't. but i do think they are getting way more than deserved. i think soldiers families should get more.

 

So then if you feel the same was as Col. Crocket how do you justify sending money and aid the tsunamis victims?

31C

 

OMG...are you kidding me?? Yes, the military members are aware of the risks inherent with their jobs, however, to imply that their lives are any less valuable because of this is just ludicrous. The people who died in the 9/11 attacks were incredibly unfortunate and I do not in any way diminish the tragedy. But please tell me, how is it that their lives are more important to our country than the lives of our troops?

You risk life and limb just getting out of bed in the morning, should we as a country, support the families of the victims of vehicle crashes, murder, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and all other causes of death? I'm sorry, I don't think it should be the burden of the taxpayers to shell out that much money because someone happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, while some of our military families are living on food stamps and substandard housing. The amount those families get, if any, should be equal to or lower than military benefits.

In fact I believe our military should be paid more than a lot of people out there, including Congress! It is because of the military, past and present, that Congress has the right to vote for its own pay raises and to give untold millions to whomever they deem worthy. Honestly, when was the last time you heard of a member of Congress risking their life in defense of our freedoms?

We owe a huge debt to our Armed Forces but instead our government just keeps stepping on their fingers as they dangle from the cliff.

 

I think our servicemen/women's family members should start sueing the gov't for more money if their relatives are KIA. I never have felt comfortable with our gov't giving money to those killed in terrorist attacks. Not to mention gov'ts helping out in natural disasters. This is why we pay billions per year to the UN, or so I thought. It's like those in Washington are trying to bankrupt the US.

 

rose - i never implied there lives were worth less. all i am saying is that a family who has a member in the armed forces knows prior that there is a large risk involved. The people in 911 didn't. i feel that this knowledge is worth money...and since the people of 911 didn't have it, they deserve some compensation.

I am not taking away anything from our armed forces either. god...women sure take something and run with it don't they.

 

I realize that you said the military should get more, but we will continue to disagree over the amount of money the 9/11 victims should get. It was a terrible tragedy but a tradgey none-the-less. Regardless of foreknowldege of risk they do not, IMO, deserve more money. The very act of giving them more than a military family would get is, in fact, implying that their lives are more valuable to our government.

Military members and their families do know the risks and they still go out and defend a country that can be exceedlingly unfair to them when things get rough. To me, that knowledge deserves an equal amount to what others are receiving. It would certainly show that the government appreciates the sacrifices being made on its behalf.

 

Our country's best men/women are in Iraq, not sitting in a university somewhere. They deserve more than 6K for being KIA. If you don't agree, you need to wake up. My work is done here.

 

frank...if your comment was directed at me, save your breath. i already said military KIA should get more money. if not...god be with you.

rose, to each his/her own. i am still right.

 

Amen! You took the words right out of my mouth! Very well put!!!

 

I'm not too hurt seeing as how your profile says "Reality is an illusion that occurs due to the lack of alcohol."

 

I don't know where Rush gets those numbers, but they're a little off. Military members are required to have a $200,000 life insurance policy. That amount doubles if they are killed in the line of duty. Sure, 1/3 of that is going to go to taxes, but that leaves about $266,000 for the family...should be enough for the survivors to live on for a few years if they don't change their spending habits and invest some of it.

 

When did this change occur?

Granted I got out in 1993 and at that time life insurance was NOT required and it was never doubled if you were killed in the line of duty which is any time in the military be it peace time or war time.

Just curious as to when this change happened…

 

Currently Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) is set at a maximum of $250,000. Just looking back at my LES, it went from $100,000 to $200,000 back in Jan 1993. Also, it increased to $250,000 back in April 2001. When the changes happened, it was automatic. If the service member opted not to have the increase, he had to submit paperwork stating that he did not want the increase. Also, you still have the option to change you SGLI for amounts of $10,000 to $250,000.

FYI, family SGLI started in Nov 2003. Max of $100,000 for spouses and $10,000 for dependent children. Spousal coverage is issued in increments of $10,000, not to exceed member's SGLI. You also have the option to have it or not.

Also, I almost positive you don't get double if killed in the line-of-duty.

 

No, there isn't any double indemnity.

Also, life insurance proceeds are not taxed.

Unless the principal payment exceeds 10 years.