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          <title>WashingtonWatch.com - Comments for H.R. 2243, The Surviving Spouses' Benefit Improvement Act of 2009</title>
          <link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills</link>
          <description></description>
          <managingEditor>info@washingtonwatch.com</managingEditor>
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<title>Comment by Martin (November 28, 2009, 13:48:57)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#151006</link>
<description>I love Elvis,

I agreed, this person ,The Corky is a hater. I reported him last week.  He or she needs to stop. I lost a wife, and I do not deserve these types of negative comments....</description>
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<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 12:48:57 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by I Love Elvis (November 28, 2009, 09:28:01)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#150955</link>
<description>This guy The Corky is very disrespecful. Let's contact this web site....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">150955@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 08:28:01 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by vets_widow (November 28, 2009, 06:50:37)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#150946</link>
<description>hey corky ,

what's your problem?...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">150946@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:50:37 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by The Corky (November 27, 2009, 21:38:13)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#150775</link>
<description>When will it ever end, this constant whining about &quot;Gimme, Gimme, Gimme&quot;? You already get far more than you deserve....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">150775@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2009 20:38:13 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Kit (November 27, 2009, 16:10:04)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#150582</link>
<description>Elizabeth,

You are sooo right.  That is waht should have happened to begin with.  I am still wondering why this was not the route first taken.  Seems to me we have been fighting this far too long.  When a spouse signs up and pays for this annuity, it should be there for the survivoring spouse no matter what.  As stated before, if this was through an insurance company, they would have to pay no matter what.  I guess you can't trust anyone these days....</description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:10:04 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Elizabeth (November 27, 2009, 03:16:30)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#150333</link>
<description>We have been trying for over 7 years to get the dic/sbp offset and what do we have?  Just get married after 57 and you can get it!! The only thing that will correct this injustice; a class action law suit by the remaining 54,000 unremarried surviving spouses of the retired military veterans....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">150333@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:16:30 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by The Corky (November 24, 2009, 19:37:33)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#148470</link>
<description>An instruction manual on how to screw the government out of money. Thanks a lot....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">148470@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:37:33 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Kit (November 24, 2009, 17:17:53)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#148337</link>
<description>I can't tell all of you spouses who have not experienced the loss of your loved one how important it is to get to your County Veterans Service Officer.  Sit down with your spouse and all the papers he or she has.  Make sure the CVSO knows all about your veteran spouse and that he keeps a record of the transactions between the VA and the Veteran spouse.  For the suvivor it makes things much easier and things go a lot quicker when all relative material is right at the CVSO office down the road.  This is what my spouse did and DIC took less time to receive as well as any thing such as the life insurance my spouse had through the VA....</description>
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<pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:17:53 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by The Corky (November 23, 2009, 02:16:32)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#145946</link>
<description>Just more mewling and whining/ All of you are already receiving far more than you deserve. Scammers and con-artists, all of you....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">145946@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:16:32 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Bernice (November 22, 2009, 19:29:33)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#145654</link>
<description>Karoline
I totally agree with you. The needs of our country should be met first. My heart goes out to all the Veterans along with the surviving spouses....</description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:29:33 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Karoline Harman (November 22, 2009, 19:01:08)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#145630</link>
<description>My husband made 7 crossing of the Atlantic during World War 11.  He developed tuberculosis caring for our heroic wounded and spent the rest of his life with two lungs that no longer functioned normally. He died of lung cancer which was directly related to the extensive damage done to his lungs from the tuberculosis.  Most of the Gold Star Widows receive $1154 a month.  How many of our congressman would like to live on that pittance. We can give millions to other countries to build schools, etc. but we let our War Widows and Widowers live in poverty.  Where is the justice in that?...</description>
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<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:01:08 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by The Corky (November 22, 2009, 01:46:47)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#145242</link>
<description>And I read somewhere on the internet that none of you deserve anything. You already get more than you deserve. Scammers and con-artists, all of you....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">145242@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:46:47 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Bernice (November 21, 2009, 08:17:39)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#144525</link>
<description>I had read somewhere on the internet that we are getting 40.8% of what our spouses got. That would be a slap on the face, compared to the 55% that spouses of federal workers get. Let's not forget that. Maybe spouses need to start speaking up and make the government take more responsability for a disabled veteran's physical care too. We did more than our part.  Now we need their support....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">144525@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:17:39 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Corky (November 20, 2009, 14:39:15)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#143794</link>
<description>I can't tell you when this bill will go back to the floor.  However, I can tell you that a study done by the GAO was completed on Nov, 13 2009.  I was a study on the amount of DIC paid and what percentage was paid.  Most people fell into the category of 35 to 55% paid to them....</description>
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<pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:39:15 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Martin (November 19, 2009, 08:33:02)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#142214</link>
<description>BB,

I been asking the same question myself. I believe the bill is not dead. I aasume that it will go back to the floor early next year....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">142214@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:33:02 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by BB (November 18, 2009, 21:47:32)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#141900</link>
<description>Can anyone tell me when this bill will go back to the floor from committee? Is it on any schedule for any type of action? Or is it going to die for this year?...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">141900@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:47:32 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Margaret Annt (November 17, 2009, 23:36:11)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#140900</link>
<description>I pray that this bill will pass for all survivors as well as myself....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">140900@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:36:11 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by rebecca p (November 16, 2009, 16:40:39)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#139250</link>
<description>I am the spouse of a retired army soldier, and i will not be able to make  it if he dies and they take away the survivor benefits, we should get both, we have paid for the survivors benefits, the other is dic, which is for a disability the the army gave my husband. and  the compensation he should recieve. thank you. becky p...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">139250@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:40:39 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by MARTIN (November 13, 2009, 11:24:11)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#135975</link>
<description>CINDY-I DO AGREED, IT SEEM LIKE THE GOVERNMENT DO RUNS OUR LIVES. IT IS NOT FAIR. I HOPE THAT CONGRESS PASS THIS BILL....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">135975@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:24:11 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Cindy Benefield (November 13, 2009, 06:16:30)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#135787</link>
<description>I too am a widow of a Army soldier. He died in 2001.We had been married for over 19 yrs. I don't agree with the age 57 limit on continuing to collect the DIC. from VA. I am 45 years old. I feel like the government keeps us women from moving on with our lives. When we can find someone that we want to marry, they punish us by taking away the money that we have been receiving and paying our monthly bills with. Not only do we have to make up the difference in the money, we lose our medical care. How is this fair to a woman (or man) that has been married to a soldier, traveled around the world away from their family for almost 20 years, lose that spouse and finally receive something for all they have been through. When they find happiness again, it all gets taken away. The security that they have had for years. It's just not fair to make us choose either to not remarry and be unhappy and alone, or to live immorally and still get the money. What do we do?...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">135787@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:16:30 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Marianne Stringer (November 5, 2009, 09:54:00)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#127479</link>
<description>I would be interested in hearing from anyone that has lost their full SBP when they began receiving DIC. 

Please email me at:

MedicaidAdvocate@aol.com

I may be able to use your stories in Washington. We have been fighting to get this offset repealed for over 7 years and we are closer this year than ever.

We can use your help. If it does not affect you personally, maybe you know someone it does. 
Please let me hear from you....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">127479@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:54:00 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Bernice (November 3, 2009, 03:56:46)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#122962</link>
<description>Don't potiticans realize that if the spouse wouldn't take care of the Veteran, unfortunately the veteran would end up as a resident at a VA center or at a Nursing home, which would cost a hell of alot more than the $300 increase would per month. Wake up lawmakers!...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">122962@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:56:46 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Martin (November 1, 2009, 13:06:58)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#120744</link>
<description>Corky,

That sound great to me, let do it!
Someone please correct me if I have this wrong, I believe the increase is still a go. However, the SBP portion of the bill has been turn down so far, is this correct?...</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">120744@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 12:06:58 EST</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Corky (October 31, 2009, 17:59:11)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#120256</link>
<description>Marianne,

I am wondering if we could get all  write at the same time.  As the Legislative officer of the DAVA, I wrote the letter and then made enough copies for everyone to send.  I do believe it made a difference, because we sort of bombarded them with the letters.  It made them stop and take a look at what we were writting about.  I believe it also changed some minds. When a bill is written about by so many at one time, it gives our Senators and Representative something to mull over....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">120256@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 16:59:11 EDT</pubDate>
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<title>Comment by Marianne Stringer (October 31, 2009, 10:53:12)</title>
<link>http://www.washingtonwatch.com/bills/show/111_HR_2243.html#120071</link>
<description>Corky,

You are absolutely right, the written/mailed letter is best, however...if we could just get people to sit and type a quick email, it will help.

Remember, we are asking our legislators to pass a bill that effects ALL of the surviving spouses, not just the ones in their home state. Therefore, you can write to all of them across the nation. Just send the email to their MLA and not directly to the legislator. In the letter, you will be asking the MLA to ask the representative to please co-sponsor HR 775 and HR 2243. 

I have personally written to all 400 at least 10 times this year. I have had some wonderful responses, especially from the many who had never heard of an SBP/DIC Offset or what it meant to survivors.

Many of the MLA's have a military background and want to help. They have been instrumental in getting their bosses to co-sponsor.

Phone calls are a fast and easy way to voice your request. Whatever way you choose to go, please... just do it....</description>
<guid isPermaLink="false">120071@http://www.washingtonwatch.com</guid>
<pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 09:53:12 EDT</pubDate>
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