The Dec. 31 article "Spending on drugs by military soars" really offended me. This article almost made it sound like the prescription drugs being furnished to retired military personnel were going to bankrupt the country and jeopardize our national security, which is hogwash.
The analysis by the Austin American-Statesman found that last year the Defense Department spent more on pills, injections and vaccines than it did on Black Hawk helicopters, Abrams tanks, Hercules C-130 planes and Patriot missiles combined, at a cost of $6.8 billion.Did the Pentagon do any research on what it cost Medicare and Medicaid, which serve approximately 50 million low-income children, pregnant women, elderly and disabled people at the sum of $295 billion? I get the impression it is easier cutting military retirees' benefits because they do not have the voting power.Retired military members stayed in the military to defend this country and sacrifice so much. Now we are told it cost too much even though the government promised free healthcare once we retired.Let's reduce Congress' salary, staff and privileges, because they only work part-time anyway and accomplish nothing.-- Gaetano Mezza, Fort WorthHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
