Allen, Kaine Discuss Silver Line, Social Security, Political Idols and More

Win Rether October 11, 2012 at 02:11 pm

Tim Kane has elevated Virginia as the best state in the US for Veteran's and appointed Paul Galanti, as his Veterans Affairs Director. Paul, an Annapolis educated Navy flyer was shut down and shown on the cover of Life Magazine weighing 120 pounds while a Prisoner of War. He's the real deal and Kane is interested in Virginia's future.
Allen is interested on serving on the Armed Services Committee to promote more Pentagon Spending, while two wars wind down.

Win Rether October 11, 2012 at 02:20 pm

Actually, Paul Galanti was "shot" down....and maintained his good humor while a POW in North Vietnam.....Sorry Paul

Paul S October 11, 2012 at 02:41 pm

Win - "Pentagon spending" is a good thing for Virginia jobs and the security of our country. A very good thing. Tackling waste and abuse within that spending should be Allen's priority after he is elected and serving on the Armed Services Committee.
Thank you for the info on Paul Galanti, a real American hero.

Sally Spangler October 11, 2012 at 04:30 pm

I think it is time that the citizens of this country learn that keeping a large military means some very real ever growing costs of maintaining that military in every possible way, whether housing, training, general care, uniforms, equipment of every kind and the costs of inventing that equipment, as well as its maintenance and repair. It means teaching each new member of the team that uses that equipment how to use and maintain their equipment.
One huge cost, is to also care of the families of those men and women in military service. Members of the military services some time or another will leave the service and new members must take over the jobs of the departed members. The whole cost of providing what is already stated starts anew. Perhaps there is new equipment and the old equipment/clothing, etc. disappears into the trash bin. I've seen that happen in my many years working for the Department of Defense. Yes new jobs, for a bit. Send contract employees to check up that the new equipment/services do what they should. The circle gets gets wider and so it goes. The tax payer pays for all of this. THINK! A war to pay for all of the above?

oldtowner October 11, 2012 at 08:04 pm

Unfortunately, many Congressmen/women (primarily Repubs) want to spend more on the military than even the Dept of Defense or the Pentagon wants. This is oftentimes to keep money pouring into their Congressional Districts for projects. At some point, one has to decide how much defense spending the US really needs....based on lucid analysis by the experts (the Dept of Defense and the Pentagon) and cut back what is not necessary to our nation's defense. Makes no sense that Romney/Ryan want to cut virtually everything except defense.

Sally Spangler October 11, 2012 at 08:49 pm

Hello oldtowner - I'm one also. Yes - their pockets first. Tell the constituents that having a big money maker - Defense Department is good for the locals. No- it is not, it is a drain on our pockets and a sad comment on the honesty of the Congress and local governments/supervisors. Of course, Congress wants to be able to keep their jobs in Congress. Romney/Ryan are no better than they ought to be - lie like a rug as to what is best for our Country. But then that is what their kind want - sound good to the unknowing. I worked too many years for DOD. Romney may consider himself a good Christian - but does that title really make him a GOOD CITIZEN in the interests of all of us - sitting on the side looking for an HONEST MAN? harumph!

Win Rether October 11, 2012 at 09:55 pm

Actually National Defense spending,combined with $160B annual add on's for deployed forces with another $200B for VA and Homeland Security are causing us to write blank checks for revenue we don't have. It may seem temporarily good for Virginia, but it's bad for USA. We're going broke defending the world with too many Generals, Tanks, Armored Vehicles and Naval Vessels designed for the cold war.

Win Rether October 11, 2012 at 09:57 pm

One the C-17 aircraft. 10 per year have been added to the budget and the USAF hasn't requested one for the past five years.

splinter October 11, 2012 at 11:30 pm

I don't care who wins so long as 100% focused on fiscal sanity. The senate hasn't offered a budget in years. That guy from Nevado almost lost his re-election a few years ago. Too bad since remains a stain on the party.
Either VA candidate would be a better Senate leader. VA should be proud to have produced these two regardless of what both sides say about the other. No matter who wins the White House or takes control of the senate, there will be very tough choices on spending and taxes.

Win Rether October 13, 2012 at 02:21 pm

Defense spending may provide some jobs for Virginians but it will not do much more than bloat an over bloated Pentagon. In Iraq and Afghanistan, U.S. forces often showed real guts and skill at the tactical level, but the heroism of soldiers and Marines notwithstanding, it should be remembered that they have fought enemies with no air force or navy and not much infantry equipment beyond home-built road mines, AK-47 rifles, and rocket-propelled grenades.