Are we that cruel?

December 18, 2013

Hon. John Cornyn                                                                              Fax: 202-228-2856

United States Senate                                                                         Fax: 972-239-2110

517 Hart Senate Office Bldg.
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Cornyn

Shall we cheat the people to whom we owe the most: our Armed Forces veterans, and especially our disabled veterans? Are we that cruel?

The Dallas Morning News today reports that

“A provision in the budget measure [now pending] would hold down cost of living increases in benefits that go to military retirees until age 62 . . . [T]he curtailment would apply to the retirement benefits of veterans who leave the service on disability.”

I have seen disabled male and female veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and have wept for what has happened to the lives of these young people.

Years ago during Viet Nam I saw a young Marine, legless in his splendid dress uniform, struggle down the folding steps of an airliner in Harlingen, Texas, proudly coming home. Even now I weep with thankfulness for him and people like him. 

How in God’s name can Democrats or Republicans make these indispensable people take the punishment for our Nation’s fiscal foolishness?

I plead with Congress: Do not do this shameful thing to the veterans who have taken the hit for the rest of us.

Respectfully,

/s/

Douglas M. Smith