No one has been able to explain to me why young men and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay on retirement. While Politicians hold their political positions, in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full-pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense. Andrews AFB golf course (where the political elite play), Congressional barber shops, and Congressional fitness centers remain open during the “shutdown”, while death benefits to soldiers are delayed and the WW2 memorial and national parks are not only closed, extra expenses are incurred to barricade and enforce the closures … not to mention health care to critically ill children temporarily suspended.