But making a comparison between the victims of 9/11 and military personnel is a bit idiotic. The people who died in 9/11 certainly didn't sign up to be placed in a high risk situation where they were in danger of dying in an exploding building. People who sign up for the military know full well what they're getting themselves into and know (or should know) that death is a very real risk.
The US government has a solemn responsibility to protect its citizens from all threats, foreign and domestic. On September 11, 2001, our government failed us miserably in that respect. Hence, the large restitution amounts given to surviving families. Don't get me wrong, there's definately some media clamoring going on here with the $$ amounts; but for the most part, I think the numbers are justified. Also, consider if the government DIDN'T give these kind of restitutions. Victims of 9/11 all across the board would be suing the US Gov for negligence and a whole slew of other things. They would win. The US public would lose tremendously.
True, the military is probably underpaid for what we do (general estimates say that personnel get paid around 15% less than for analgous civilian positions); however, upon signing the contract, we are made fully aware of our compensation (and those made in death). Besides this, there's a lot more than money going on in the decision to join the military.
Furthermore, Limbaugh is comparing the salaries and bonuses of a congressman compared to a non-college educated, no civilian experience having enlisted person. OBVIOUSLY, a person in congress will be paid more and receive higher bonuses than the average serviceman. Look at the resumes of most congressmen: they have college education from prestigious schools; they have years and years of public experience; and they undoubtedly have created hundreds if not thousands of connections in the business and public sector throughout their tenure. In short, most of the people have resumes we would kill for.
Many of us in LoD have higher education (a lot of us have advanced degrees) and we've worked our butts off in corporate America as white collar workers to earn the money we have. Wouldn't you be a bit pissed to find out that some blue collar laborer with 1/10th the business acumen you possessed somehow had managed to earn as much money as you?
I don't want to belittle the sacrifices servicemen are making for our country today (hell, you're talking to an enlisted marine here), but if money is really something you're after, you wouldn't be joining the military in the first place. There are other things we think about when we sign on the dotted line: honor; sacrifice to serve country; and let's not forgot the ability to blow shit up. You can't put a dollar sign on those things. And I'd prefer if a blowhard such as Limbaugh wouldn't either.
