When those $1776 checks arrive, military personnel better hang on to them if they want a roof over their heads
News and views for thoughtful Floridians and others who only wish they lived here
Active duty and reserve military personnel in Florida and elsewhere in America had to be happy earlier this week when President Donald Trump announced they would soon be receiving “warrior dividends” as Christmas gifts from the commander-in-chief.
Sounded great, right? Free money! Just in time for Christmas shopping.
The checks, which the government has announced will arrive soon, will be for $1776, a number selected to acknowledge the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in, of course, 1776.
Here in Florida, there are about 82,000 active duty military personnel and another 62,000 reservists.
While all active-duty personnel under the rank of generals and admirals are eligible for the checks, it’s a little more complicated for members of the reserves. They have to have been called up for active duty already.
Nationally, we’re talking about checks to about 1.3 million active-duty soldiers, sailors, Space Forcers, marines, and Coast Guard and Air Force members. A tab that totals about $2.6 billion.
But in the wake of Trump’s dramatic announcement, people began wondering the obvious: Where’s that money coming from? The president doesn’t control the nation’s purse strings, Congress does. Where’s he getting all this cash?
Turns out—and coming from Trump, I realize this will be a shocker—it’s all smoke and mirrors, a flim-flam job. Imagine that!
The money was already in the budget passed by Congress. But it wasn’t there as “warrior dividends.” It was there as housing allowances.
So, instead of getting money to be used for rent, the “warrior dividend” recipients will be getting these lump-sum “bonuses.”
Same money, different name.
This is not extra cash. It is money that was always going to the troops. In other words, it’s a trick.
So now, all this cash could be flowing into department stores and grocery stores and spent on the holidays. But what happens when rent is due if that money is gone?
Oops.
Anybody got a pup tent?
J.C. Bruce is the founder of Tropic Press, a website and newsletter dedicated to Floridians and issues of concern to them. He’s a native of the state and an award-winning journalist and author.
Notice to readers:
In the coming days, you may receive an email from Substack, this newsletter’s online service provider. It will ask you to CONFIRM that you are and wish to continue to be a subscriber. It’s how Substack ensures the integrity of the platform. Please keep an eye out for it and, of course, I do hope you will OPT IN to continue to be part of this growing community. If you are a paid subscriber, you will be exempt from this. Thank you.
J.C. Bruce
Coming Saturday: ASK THE BIRD. Miss Mingo has the answers to all of your questions. Tomorrow, she tackles the intriguing question: How does ‘Python Alcatraz’ strike us as a nickname for David Jolly? Check your inbox for the answer.
More online
Thank you for reading the Tropic Press newsletter. You also have access to the Tropic Press website for additional and previous posts, an archive of posts from our advice columnist, Miss Mingo, occasional guest commentaries, and information about The Strange Files series of mysterious adventures and other books.
Thanks to our sponsor
Today’s report is brought to you by Tropic Press Books, home of The Strange Files. The six-book series makes the perfect Christmas present for the mystery fans in your life. You can find more information about these hilarious stories here:
It’s good to share
Tropic Press is a reader-supported publication. Here’s a big shout-out to all our loyal subscribers. Feel free to forward this email to your friends so they can enjoy it too. The more people we reach, the greater community of like-minded people we build. This is your chance to be part of all that. Thank you.
Was the expectation for this dividend to be in addition to the rent help?