THE BURNED OVER DISTRICT

That instead of rescinding tax cuts to the top 1% of Americas wealthy, they decided that the military "quality of life" programs could be cut back instead to pay for Katrina. Here is the Navy Times article on this new token of Republican love for the military.

• Service members would be offered cash if they are willing to accept reduced health care benefits for their families. “The less comprehensive plan would encourage individuals to be more cost-conscious when purchasing health care products by including deductibles, co-payments and a maximum annual out-of-pocket expenditure limit,” according to a written explanation provided by the study group. Reduced health care benefits could save $2.4 billion over 10 years.

• The three separate military exchange systems could be consolidated, saving up to $1.9 billion over 10 years, the study group says. The Army and Air Force share an exchange system, AAFES, while the Navy and Marine Corps have their own systems. “Consolidating … would eliminate inefficiencies from duplicative purchasing, different personnel departments, warehouse and inventory systems and management headquarters while retaining the current ability for service embers and their families to receive a wide selection of goods at a low price,” the statement says.

The Pentagon has studied the idea of exchange consolidation for years but has been unable to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and opposition from some service officials and industry groups. Several studies of the issue also have raised questions about how much money would be saved.

• The stateside system of elementary and secondary schools for military family members could be closed, saving $788 million over 10 years, the study says.

“This provision would phase out these domestic schools over time and shift these military children into the local public school systems,” the study group says.

The Pentagon also has been studying this idea, but has faced strong opposition from parents of children attending the schools because public schools are seen as offering lower-quality education.

Has anyone noticed that there was no complaint about money appropriated for Iraq, where so far almost $9 Billion disbursed by the CPA is unaccounted for? Where more than $1 Billion was stolen in a military procurement fraud. Where Halliburton has had questionable billings and cost overruns of almost $2 Billion. And where troops are still short of vital armor protection and other military necessities. Why do Katrina, and soon, Rita require us to rob Peter to pay Dick?