;)
A friend of mine once said: "Don't worry about me, the worst thing about Jail is the name".
As I viewed CBC's Power and Politics last night, I was amazed to hear that the Conservative Government plans to spend over $2 Billion on prisons due to overcrowding! It was further noted that the crime rate in Canada is actually on the decline. So why are we planning to triple the amount of prisons?
We as Canadian's should ask ourselves: Should we be concerned about a criminal having to share a cell with another criminal or should we be more concerned with a Senior not having a Long Term Care Home or a decent pension to live on?
Or perhaps we should be more concerned with a Hospital that has to put patients in the hallway due to no rooms available?
Or maybe we should be more concerned with those who have no room at all, our homeless, which includes some veterans?
Getting tough on crime doesn't have to mean more prisons, it has to mean getting tough on criminals. Locking people up who are not a danger to society is pointless. Make those people work, perhaps helping Seniors who can't mow their lawns or clear their snow, or maybe even clean up neighbourhoods or other public choirs that would be beneficial to the community.
The true criminals, dangerous offenders and murderers, could share a cell, four to a room, just the way many hospital wards are set up. It's comfortable for the sick, why not for criminals?
Why is the Harper Government more concerned with prisoner comfort than with the comfort of law abiding citizens?
My friend told me that the prison he was in was better than an all boys club: Free food, games, television, sports, and if you were liked, time to meet new friends!
That is probably the reason why there are so many repeat offenders, the prisons are not like prison at all. It's time for a change!
About Me
- Robin Brentnall
- Gambo, Newfoundland, Canada
- I spent 23 years in the military.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Earnings Loss Benefit Explained
=)
As a disabled veteran, I would like to explain the unfairness of the Veterans Affairs Canada claim that they are taking care of our veterans with their Earnings Loss Benefit.
There was a time when I could look forward to a career after my military career, financial wellness, and hope that the future was going to see me into my golden years appreciating what I had volunteered to do for my country.
Now, 23 years after joining the Canadian Forces, I cannot work due to a brain injury and I get by on my pensions. Sounds good to someone who is on Workman’s Compensation or some other plan, but veterans lose more than you understand.
For example, had I retired from the military at 23 years and was able to work, I would receive my military pension, my veterans pension, and I could receive pay for my work, possibly paying into another pension plan as well. I would be able to work until I was 65 and then receive CPP as well as the other pensions. Golden years indeed!
However, my life was turned upside down at the 23 year mark when I suffered a brain injury.
My Long Term Disability provider deducts my military pension and my veteran’s pain and suffering pension from what they are supposed to pay me. This leaves them not having to pay out any money to me so I can't really call them a provider!
Veterans Affairs has a program called the Earnings Loss Benefit. It is supposed to pay up to 75% of my pay when I retired, yet they also deduct my military and veteran’s pain and suffering pensions so I get nothing from them! If I had served just one year and had no other pension, they would pay me a minimum of $40,000 a year, more then I get now! But the pensions are deducted and cut off at $30,000 (75%), so I get nothing but my earned pensions while a new soldier/veteran gets $40,000 for the rest of their life. Not arguing that they don’t deserve it but I believe after 23 years I do too!
Our veterans are being served up a big chunk of “Sucks To Be You” from our Long Term Disability provider and a “You Can Take Care Of Yourself” from our Veterans Affairs department.
Due to not being able to work, my real "Lost Earnings" are what I could have made if I were able to work. I would get my pensions plus additional pay for my work and therefore, the Earnings Loss Benefit should not have any deductions.
That is why veterans are pounding on the doors of Parliament to get the New Veterans Charter fixed.
As a disabled veteran, I would like to explain the unfairness of the Veterans Affairs Canada claim that they are taking care of our veterans with their Earnings Loss Benefit.
There was a time when I could look forward to a career after my military career, financial wellness, and hope that the future was going to see me into my golden years appreciating what I had volunteered to do for my country.
Now, 23 years after joining the Canadian Forces, I cannot work due to a brain injury and I get by on my pensions. Sounds good to someone who is on Workman’s Compensation or some other plan, but veterans lose more than you understand.
For example, had I retired from the military at 23 years and was able to work, I would receive my military pension, my veterans pension, and I could receive pay for my work, possibly paying into another pension plan as well. I would be able to work until I was 65 and then receive CPP as well as the other pensions. Golden years indeed!
However, my life was turned upside down at the 23 year mark when I suffered a brain injury.
My Long Term Disability provider deducts my military pension and my veteran’s pain and suffering pension from what they are supposed to pay me. This leaves them not having to pay out any money to me so I can't really call them a provider!
Veterans Affairs has a program called the Earnings Loss Benefit. It is supposed to pay up to 75% of my pay when I retired, yet they also deduct my military and veteran’s pain and suffering pensions so I get nothing from them! If I had served just one year and had no other pension, they would pay me a minimum of $40,000 a year, more then I get now! But the pensions are deducted and cut off at $30,000 (75%), so I get nothing but my earned pensions while a new soldier/veteran gets $40,000 for the rest of their life. Not arguing that they don’t deserve it but I believe after 23 years I do too!
Our veterans are being served up a big chunk of “Sucks To Be You” from our Long Term Disability provider and a “You Can Take Care Of Yourself” from our Veterans Affairs department.
Due to not being able to work, my real "Lost Earnings" are what I could have made if I were able to work. I would get my pensions plus additional pay for my work and therefore, the Earnings Loss Benefit should not have any deductions.
That is why veterans are pounding on the doors of Parliament to get the New Veterans Charter fixed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)