Telegraph
Wounded soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq could soon find themselves refused charitable help due to a lack of cash to cope with the high casualty rates, it has been warned. Read It Here
(RG) Its morally incomprehensible that our servicemen should rely upon the good will of dominations from the tax paying general public when they find themselves in need after serving their Country in a War zone. Its not a case of the Government not having the money to spend on our wounded Heroes they simply don’t want to help them and if the tax paying public can do it for them all well and good. This is the same Government that can magic Zillions of pounds from the air to help the fat cat bankers who got us in to this mess in the first place. The same Government that allows every Tom Dick & Ahmed in to our Country and gives them million pound mansions and free money for sitting on their arses and bad mouthing the hand that feeds them. “Lost your leg son in Afghanistan?” never mind get yourself down the market on a Saturday afternoon with a tin and beg! Perhaps some rich Asylum seekers may feel sorry for you?
VOTE LABOUR!
© Mack (RG) The thoughts of a Falklands War Veteran.
Rogue_gunner_32_alpha@yahoo.co.uk
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ROGUE GUNNER SUPPORTS
Sirs, Unfortunately, while your anger is understandable, it is misdirected, it not being bankers who brought about the financial problems that afflict the world. The culprit is government, initially in the US where President Carter and later President Clinton plus Congress created rules that made it close to compulsory for banks to lend to those who could least afford it. With the Central Bankers feeding in money via low interest rates debt accummulated rapidly, failure aided by poor regulatory oversight. Of course the banks lost that necessary linkage with financial probity, however that is a failure of us as a species.
ReplyDeleteAs far as our government is concerned it added to the problem by removing the influences of house prices from the index used to determine inflation, this meant the headline figure used by the Bank of England to judge monetary policy was out of step with what was really going on.
One final point, the financial sector in this country contributes about 10% of Britain's GDP. Should it collapse then we will not be able to afford to pay the troops never mind heal them. Irrespective of these reservations there is no question that Britain is obligated to care for those wounded in its name. You are justified in your complaints. Regards
your not a banker by an chance are you Barry?
ReplyDeleteDear Rogue Gunner,
ReplyDeleteNo, I am just an ordinary individual interested in trying to get at the truth, irrespective of the subject. Not always a comfortable quest I might add.
As far as supporting our troops where ever they may be, well that particular concern stems from a visit some 50 years ago to the War Graves Cemetary at Arneham. I have never forgotten the day or the fact that all the men buried there were so young (it made a big impact on a very young boy).
With regards to this issue, there is no question that the nation should finance a joint services state of art hospital staffed by military personnel that has facilities for families if necessary. A place where no effort or money would be spared to heal or at least ameliorate the wounds sustained during active duty. This should include offering state of the art bionic limbs and so on where suitable (approx £25 grand for an arm).
Part and parcel of the role of such a place would be screening for the effects of combat, such as PTSD and of course the concussive influences and injuries caused by blast. Should the consequences demand long term remedial care and support then this should be forthcoming without dispute.
Reducing risks should also gain higher profile, there has long been a need to phase out vehicles such as the Snatch Landrover which provides inadequate protection against mines, RPG's,IED's and the like. This would help prevent deaths as well as reducing the severity of the injuries.
I took this point up with my MP (Mrs Sandra Gidley)some time ago but the powers that be have been slow to respond (it is happening but too late for many guys who have been killed or crippled).
A major concern for me is the attitude of the MOD, this organisation is far too large and inflexible. It should face major reform and shrinkage, freeing money currently lost in bureaucractic machinations to practical use. Funds and the authority to use some of it should be directly supplied to the field, in essence linking industry and the wider commerical world closer to the servicing of immediate military requirements. There is some fantastic stuff out there that can provide an edge to the guys who need it, be this just helping physical comfort or seeing the dark. I do not wish to be seen as entirely critical, things have improved, but I think more can be gained for the money we spend. People should not be dying for want of an electronic jammer anymore than they should for helicopter support.
Please do not lose heart, there are plenty of us who still care. Even if all we could ever do is limited to moral support.
Thank you for your accurate comments Barry, you are correct in all you say regarding the military and your input here is well received by myself and others who care deeply about our forces if not about the whole fabric of our countries society. I will continue to air my thoughts through this medium for as long as I am allowed legally or medically. I know that moral support is a lot greater than many if myself may Think
ReplyDeleteRG.