Random Thoughts From Marybeth

Military Families' Bill of Rights

Kentucky State Treasurer Jonathan Miller has proposed a Military Families' Bill of Rights.

Provisions include help from the state in educating families about financial matters; protection from predatory financial practices; access to counseling when a service member is deployed, activated, or killed or disabled in action; to provide a financial safety net; make it easier for the spouse of a deployed service member to earn a living; adequate and appropriate death benefits; tax incentives for businesses to encourage them to pay Guards and Reservists supplemental income during active service; lifetime heathcare; incentives for businesses to hire veterans; and access to affordable higher education and occupational training.

This is not to be confused with John Kerry's "Strengthening America's Armed Forces and Military Family Bill of Rights". (That's the short title?) While there are some general similarities, both want to increase financial aid to military families, the Kentucky proposal includes something that I think is very important - financial education. Providing funds is important but adding the knowledge of how to take advantage of all that is offered and then how to manage it will help to make sure the aid is as effective as possible.

I also haven't seen anything from Kentucky asking military families to share their story. It sounds as though Kerry is trying to turn it into some Jerry Springeresque event.