At issue is a state law that provides for additional benefits for retired veterans - depending on when they served, and depending on their position: teachers, troopers or just a lowly desk jockey. Sounds basic enough even for the legislature... so where's the problem?
Veterans are complaining that officials are not following their own law, or not consistantly (which kinda defeats the whole 'law' thing, doesn't it?). One of the main problems is the fact that the law was written a bit too narrowly listing specific wars - back in 1800's! This means veterans are FINE if they saw action in the Boxer Rebellion in China, the Spanish-American War or the Philippine Insurrection.
Law makers are now battling it out between various new proposals trying to decide WHICH wars to include - or, you know... just chill and let the whole issue ride for another session and another group of legislators. It's not like our veterans deserve an answer or... you know, benefits they have coming.
None of this affects the benefit package for men like 129 year old Jebediah Cornwell who works as a shoe polisher in the Legislature. "I joined the service at the young age of 17, yessiree bob! I served as a cannonball polisher in the Boxer Rebellion - what fun! I seen things that a young man ought never see! I'm so glad the West Virginie Legislature at least took care of me. I hope they fig'r sumpin' out for my grandkids though -- I gots a boy who was in Afghaneestan recently who's awerkin in the mail room chere at the Cap'tol."
Jebediah plans to retire next year. He said he looks forward to using his retirement benefits and spending his remaining days looking over his collection of polished cannonballs.
