I watched Obama’s speech to the marines at Camp Lejeune yesterday.  It was an interesting experience.  Can’t say that the Obama glow was much in evidence…he seemed unsure and stumbled quite a few times as he spoke.  (Maybe they don’t have teleprompters at LeJeune?)

You can watch it here:

Discussion on Iraq and afghanistan troop levels

You can read the text of the speech here:

Obama’s Speech at Camp Lejeune, N.C.

As Obama gave a history lesson to the Marines and spoke on all that “we” cannot do and “we” must do, (he’s good at that part, isn’t he?),  he stated:

“Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end.”

(So just hold on, all you terrorists out there ~  on Sept 1, 2010 you can go on in and do your best to take down Iraq and try to take out the 50,000 troops that will still be there continuing all that peace keeping stuff they’ll be focused on.)

The word “Victory” was never used.  Not in the whole speech.  The mission will end - there you have it!  Done deal!   No need to get into it.

He then went on to explain to these Marines his diplomatic strategy.  Just can’t get away from that campaigning thing.  These are MARINES - not the press.

Then Obama decided to speak directly to the Iraqi people, being very clear to state Americans intentions.

I’m sure the Iraqi people were grateful that he took time during his first speech as Commander In Chief to our Military to speak to them - directly.  WTF?

He then went on to talk about the strategy to deal with the surrounding nations there in the Middle East, making it “very clear” that there will be peace!!!!  Oh, and he’s a tough guy, so listen up!

Okay, the campaigning ended and he went on to discuss military members and their families:  This is the part that set my hackles straight up.

You make up a fraction of the American population, but in an age when so many people and institutions have acted irresponsibly, you did the opposite - you volunteered to bear the heaviest burden. And for you and for your families, the war does not end when you come home. It lives on in memories of your fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who gave their lives. It endures in the wound that is slow to heal, the disability that isn’t going away, the dream that wakes you at night, or the stiffening in your spine when a car backfires down the street.  (Doesn’t he sound so caring?  Poor babies, you all have been wrecked by putting on that uniform and “getting the job done”.)

You and your families have done your duty - now a grateful nation must do ours. That is why I am increasing the number of soldiers and Marines, so that we lessen the burden on those who are serving. And that is why I have committed to expanding our system of veterans health care to serve more patients, and to provide better care in more places. We will continue building new wounded warrior facilities across America, and invest in new ways of identifying and treating the signature wounds of this war: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as other combat injuries.  (You had better!  They’re your Military now.  Of course, this was started during Bush’s administration, but that was then, this is now and he’ll be the saviour.)

We also know that service does not end with the person wearing the uniform. In her visits with military families across the country, my wife Michelle has learned firsthand about the unique burden that your families endure every day. I want you to know this: military families are a top priority for Michelle and me, and they will be a top priority for my administration. We’ll raise military pay, and continue providing quality child-care, job-training for spouses, and expanded counseling and outreach to families that have known the separation and stress of war. We will also heed the lesson of history - that those who fight in battle can form the backbone of our middle class - by implementing a 21st century GI Bill to help our veterans live their dreams.  (Where were you and your wife the last few years?  Didn’t even give the Military much of a thought except when you could use them to bash Bush.)

All pretty promises - but we have found out his promises tend to have expiration dates.  But what really got my goat was the big deal he made during the speech about pay raises.  Got a huge applause from the Marines, he did.  Funny though, he did not mention that the pay raises for 2010 will be less than they were the past couple of years.

3.5% in 2008 (Bush Administration)

3.9% in 2009 (Bush Administration

2.9% in 2010 (Obama Administration)

Wow!!  That really shows getting behind the troops and their families!!

The reason for the drop?

From the Washington Post:

The administration described the proposed increase as reflective of the current economic crisis and bringing federal pay and benefit practices more in line with what workers in the private sector are experiencing.

There is a bit of resistance to this news, but it mostly focuses on the civilian federal workers getting the shaft - the military is kind of just an afterthought.  Besides, the civilian workers  are getting even less of a raise than the MILITARY!!  It’s not fair!!!

From the White House website:

2010 Budget ~ Military Pay Raise: (PDF)

Cares for Men and Women in uniform. The Administration is committed to caring for the servicemembers who protect American freedom and the families who support them. To that end, the Budget proposes pay and benefits that keep pace with or exceed those of the private sector. The 2010 Budget includes funding for a 2.9 percent pay raise for men and women in uniform, an amount that will improve their purchasing power.

DOD:

Annual military pay raises are linked to the increase in private sector wages, as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). In the 1990’s, the annual military pay raise was capped at one-half percent below private-sector growth unless specifically granted a larger increase by Congress. The FY2000 National Defense Authorization Act directed that pay raises for 2000 through 2006 would automatically be one-half percent above the private-sector wage increases. Pay raises beginning in 2007 are equal to the increase in the ECI. Pay raises may exceed these automatic levels if authorized and funded by Congress.

In January 2008, the military pay raise was 3.5% (ECI + 1/2 percent).

In January 2009, the military pay raise will be 3.9% (ECI + 1/2 percent).

What did Congress give themselves as a raise starting this past January?

FOXNews.com  Saturday, December 20, 2008

Each lawmaker’s annual salary is due for a $4,700 cost-of-living increase starting in January, which will amount to a cost to taxpayers of $2.5 million in 2009, infuriating watchdog groups.

And they will get another raise in 2010 because it’s automatic.

I’d say that our Troops are much more deserving of a raise than the Congress.  In fact, the Congress deserves nothing more than a pay cut.

Better yet, how about a Pink Slip Day on the Hill?

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This entry was posted on Saturday, February 28th, 2009 at 10:43 am and is filed under ARRGGGHHHH!!, Politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.