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Just what kind of recognition and victory did the veterans get? The word “recognition” in the text of the Section 1002 of the stimulus bill signed into law by President Barack Obama pertains exclusively for the purpose of issuing the lump sum. As soon as lump sum is issued, the recognition shall immediately disappear. Notice how the text was very clear in saying that the lump sum was a “compensation for human suffering.”— not a recognition of wartime heroism and valor. If the intention of this provision is to tax-exempt, then just say the lump sum is non-taxable, but without a condescending term as “human suffering.”
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Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV)
March 9, 2009
Lump Sum is not recognition, much less equity
Just what kind of recognition and victory did the veterans get?
The word “recognition” in the text of the Section 1002 of the stimulus bill signed into law by President Barack Obama pertains exclusively for the purpose of issuing the lump sum. As soon as lump sum is issued, the recognition shall immediately disappear.
Notice how the text was very clear in saying that the lump sum was a “compensation for human suffering.”— not a recognition of wartime heroism and valor. If the intention of this provision is to tax-exempt, then just say the lump sum is non-taxable, but without a condescending term as “human suffering.”
Lump sum comes with a big price of a “quit claim.” The text was very clear, in that upon the acceptance of an eligible person, the lump sum is FINAL and shall constitute a COMPLETE RELEASE of future claims against the United States. While one gains a paltry lump sum, one loses a lifetime pension benefit.
Granting lump sum was the fulfillment of the veterans’ 63 years struggle, why the difference between the compensation for a US citizen and a non-US citizen? Isn’t it clear in the text that the supposed recognition comes by virtue of military service and not nationality? Is the “human suffering” of a US citizen any different from that of a Filipino? Or simply put: Is the life of a Filipino any less than an American?
Isn’t it fair to demand equity or equal recognition and benefits at the very least, when in fact the casualty ratio during the war was 20 Filipinos dead for every one American?
Anything short of full recognition without conditions, genuine equity and lifetime pension benefit is injustice to the Filipino veterans, the widows and legal heirs, the one million Filipino casualties during the war, the Filipino people and the many Americans who dearly support racial equality.
The lump sum is not only a pittance. It is a political trap that attempts to correct a historical wrong with yet another wrong.
Original: LUMP SUM IS NOT EQUITY