>Dale,
>
>I've been reading this as an interested outsider (being Canadian).
>
>Both yours and Bret's positions are doubtless "economically" sound and technically correct. But there is another factor here that to me is overriding - the debt of society to these veterans!

Lets stop here a minute Jim. My senario never left out the debt. But the debt is paid for and complete if a person leaves service and has no medical problems whatsoever. Just because a person served does not mean that for ever on the Government owes them something. You see I look upon service a my debt to the U.S. for being able to live here. Yeah I know that is radical, and I will stick out like a sore thumb. But you see I enjoy living in this country and I feel that sometimes people need to pay this country back for the privelege. If not military, then community service. Giving back to this country a little for the rights and freedom we all have.