Lieutenant governors back funds to aid cash-strapped Guard, Reserve famili

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=20404

Families of many deployed Guard and Reserve troops are hurting financially, and many of their state legislators are moving to make that a thing of the past.

On Wednesday, five lieutenant governors held a news conference to announce a drive to create Military Family Relief Funds in states across the nation.

“We cannot allow the citizens of our states who are serving their country to fall into financial ruin while they are in Iraq, facing harm … while they are protecting us,” said Calif. Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante.

Each fund is designed to provide grants to families of National Guard and Reserve soldiers on active duty who are facing reduced income and financial hardships. Grants ranging from $500 to $2,000 will help military families in need to cover expenses such as rent, utilities and medical expenses.

[burrowowl]

1. Next they will be going door-to-door

taking up donations. What a f**k-up!
Make Arnold S and others of their ilk pay their taxes and get the NG the hell out of Iraq!

[RobertSeattle]

2. This seems to come out ever major deployment

For some National Guard/Reservists, when the go active duty, they get a net increase in pay (compared to their regular life), for other's they get a net decrease in pay. It depends on their circumstances in life. (It gets complicated because many service benefits aren't taxed so it is rarely and apple to apple comparison - and usually war zone income isn't taxable). I don't mean to sound mean spirited, but I just wish these NG/Reserve service men/women who end up with a net decrease in pay would have put this in their thought processes prior to joining the NG/Reserves.

[LosinIt]

4. I am sure they never planned on being deployed for soooo long

Why can't we bring these guys home and send some regular troops that are stationed in say....Germany,Japan, wherever take a turn?

[The_Casual_Observer]

3. Why should states pay for this folly?

The Iraqis have had their moment of "US style" of freedom. It is time to go, and let them decide what they want to do. It's got to happen eventually, so why not now??