Stephen Colbert really ripped into the Super Congress for suggesting cutting military benefits for our veterans.
But to avoid these cuts in defense, someone has to sacrifice. And we all know who that someone should be. And they are the subject of tonight's Wørd: The 1%.
Folks, everybody's talking about it. There is a tiny minority of Americans who could be doing a lot more for our nation, a minority who live a lifestyle that the 99% could not imagine. You know who I'm talking about. (The Gay Amish?) I'm talking about military veterans.
You see, only 1% of Americans served in Iraq or Afghanistan. (The Few, The Proud, But Mostly The Few) Now, thankfully, the Super Committee is serving the interests of the 99% of us who didn't serve.
NEWS REPORTER (10/19/2011): Lawmakers on the debt Super Committee are looking for $1.2 trillion in spending cuts. They've recommended cost-saving changes in military health benefits.
Yes, the Super Committee wants to reduce veterans' health benefits, known as TRICARE. (New Name: "Don't Care") And the Super Congress recently received a letter supporting those cuts from the bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. They say, of veterans:
We believe no constituency better understands the challenge America faces, and no constituency is better suited to, again, lead by example by putting country first.
And with this letter, Congress is sending our troops a clear message. (Semper F.U.) That message, that we can take for granted that servicemembers are willing to give up more than the rest of us. (Full Metal Racket)
Video and full transcript below the fold.
Folks, like all Americans, I have pinned my hopes and dreams on the twelve members of the Super Congress: Kerry, Murray, Hensarling, I don't have to name them, we all grew up with the action figures.
Now the origin story of the Super Congress is well known. It was created last summer because of a freak rift in the debt ceiling continuum. The President wanted to raise the debt ceiling, the House refused to do that without budget cuts, and the U.S. came perilously close to defaulting. Until, at the last minute, both sides found the courage to come together, and let someone else figure this shit out later.
Their later is our now. Unless this is a rerun, in which case, you know how this turns out. But don't tell me, because I'm TiVo'ing the end of America.
Now, the Super Congress's daring mission is to find $1.2 trillion dollars in budget cuts. And so far, they have agreed to... jack. Jim?
MEGYN KELLY (11/17/2011): The Super Committee, on Capitol Hill, is grinding to a halt.
SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER, D-NY (11/9/2011): I don't think the Super Committee is going to succeed.
LUKE RUSSERT (11/8/2011): The Super Committee is falling victim to ... partisan bickering, special interests, and the desire for nobody to drink their tough medicine.
And if nobody drinks their tough medicine, by law, it must instead be administered rectally. You see, a failure by the Super Committee triggers automatic deep cuts to military spending. Senate Republicans say they will try to un-trigger that trigger, but Obama promises a veto to re-trigger the un-triggered trigger.
But to avoid these cuts in defense, someone has to sacrifice. And we all know who that someone should be. And they are the subject of tonight's Wørd: The 1%.
Folks, everybody's talking about it. There is a tiny minority of Americans who could be doing a lot more for our nation, a minority who live a lifestyle that the 99% could not imagine. You know who I'm talking about. (The Gay Amish?) I'm talking about military veterans.
You see, only 1% of Americans served in Iraq or Afghanistan. (The Few, The Proud, But Mostly The Few) Now, thankfully, the Super Committee is serving the interests of the 99% of us who didn't serve.
NEWS REPORTER (10/19/2011): Lawmakers on the debt Super Committee are looking for $1.2 trillion in spending cuts. They've recommended cost-saving changes in military health benefits.
Yes, the Super Committee wants to reduce veterans' health benefits, known as TRICARE. (New Name: "Don't Care") And the Super Congress recently received a letter supporting those cuts from the bipartisan leaders of the House and Senate Veterans' Affairs Committees. They say, of veterans:
We believe no constituency better understands the challenge America faces, and no constituency is better suited to, again, lead by example by putting country first.
And with this letter, Congress is sending our troops a clear message. (Semper F.U.) That message, that we can take for granted that servicemembers are willing to give up more than the rest of us. (Full Metal Racket)
Now I know, certainly, we rich people can't give things up. I'm not used to it. I have never given up anything in my life. (Still Has His Baby Teeth) Now folks, don't get me wrong. I know our troops have given up so much already. Ten years, two wars, and no one honors their sacrifice more than I. And I'll prove it.
I honor your sacrifice.
OK. OK, that's enough, that's enough, that's enough, that's enough.
But here's the thing. Once you're back in the States, if you're not continuing to sacrifice, why should I continue honoring you? (Tit For Taps)
You see, on the other hand, veterans, imagine the pride in every patriot's heart when you let us cut parts of your health plan. (Drop And Give Me Dental!) I mean, you guys, if you let us do that, you guys will totally deserve medals for this. Well, not medals, brass is expensive. But definitely stickers.
I promise, you veterans will not be sacrificing alone. The plan also calls for sacrifice from active service military. So while we're at it, you know those 41,000 troops the President is taking out of Iraq? That's gonna be expensive, so I say let's make them buy their own plane tickets home. (With Layover In Iran?) And while these debt reducing measures may seem harsh, remember, Congress has no choice.
SEN. LINDSEY GRAHAM, R-SC (9/25/2011): If this commission fails, there's a trigger cutting defense by $600 billion dollars.
And cutting defense spending is out of the question. Because it is our giant military machine that creates our veterans. And it's clear that they are the only ones we're willing to sacrifice for our country. (The 1%) And that's the Wørd. We'll be right back.
Stephen also can't believe that Bradley Cooper was named People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive.
Meanwhile, Jon covered the rise of Newt Gingrich in the polls, and his perhaps soon-to-be fall.
Then Jon had new Senior Historical Context Correspondent
Sarah Vowell on to talk about
Evacuation Day, 1783. I have to admit, I had never heard of this day, or that
11,000 American soldiers died aboard these British prison ships, more than in all the Revolutionary War battles
combined. Wow. You really need to see this piece.
Jon then had
Martin Scorsese on to talk about his new film
Hugo.