I saw an American flag flying upside down outside a house today.

I saw an American flag flying upside down outside a house today. It's an
international distress signal. I know the guy, and know why he has the
signal out. He is one of 1500 disabled retired veterans that the
establishment knows might die today without seeing a penny of his
retirement.

Charlie down the road doesn't care; he gets his retirement from
the national guard service in spite of being disabled. Jerry gets the same
amount for his service connected disability after pulling two years in the
army, as this highly decorated veteran does, without having put in same 20+
years of service to his country. But the old Top Sergeant forfeits every
cent of his retirement, dollar for dollar, that he receives for his
disabilities. All civil servants justly collect their earned retirement
benefits, and if disabled on the job, collect disability payments as well.
It doesn't ease the physical pain, but it helps them to pay to have done
what they can no longer do for themselves, and gives a measure of
appreciation and self respect. But the 'old soldier' that needs what he
worked over twenty years for is accused of 'double dipping' when he asks for
what he worked for. A servant to his country, a hero (which he humbly
denies; the bronze stars say differently) he is told that his retirement pay
has already been earmarked by Uncle Sam for ...other things. Not to the VA,
which pays the disability payments, but to a military fund that is used
for..other things. Die old soldier. The promises were fraudulent, and gee,
who knew? You were sent to fight and die for your country, and damn your
eyes, you are here and hurt and of no use to us now... die, and quit telling
the young your story; we need new recruits, that will charge that hill and
believe what they are told.
A small percent of the retirement funds are in the slow process of
trickling down to the most disabled of the old veterans. Thousands of
applications are in the works. About 7 per day are being processed. Each day
approximately 1500 old retired soldiers die, while hoping to see that "check
in the mail".
The flag is flying upside down.