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Smith's Odd Veterans' Pensions Stance

Rarely have I been more surprised about Rep. Adam Smith's mediocre record in Congress than when I learned that he was trying to cut the cost of living adjustment payments to the pensions of retired military veterans under the age of 62.  By the way, he's the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, believe it or not.  I had to verify a couple of stories before I could even believe all of this was true.  As a veteran myself, although not one who served long enough to get a pension, and therefore not affected by these shenanigans, I am dismayed and disappointed by Smith (D) and Rep. Paul Ryan's (R) attempts to balance budgets on the backs of veterans.  If I'm elected instead of Smith in the 9th CD this year, I will definitely support veterans' pensions in Congress as they have been established over the past several decades, including rightful cost of living increases to veteran pensioners. Although, the military does need reductions by not involving our nation internationally with aspirations, in many but not all cases, that have nothing to do with national self-defense (and why was Smith in the Congo, recently), there should be no financial reductions regarding support for active duty personnel or veterans.

[revised on 2/9/14]

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