$1776 checks are in the mail, but the money is not a bonus -- it would have been used to supplement housing allowances

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 a bit of smoke and mirrors.

The money was already in the budget passed by Congress. But it wasn’t there as “warrior dividends.” It was there as planned increases in housing allowances.

So, instead of getting money that would have been 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, just in another form.

So now, all this cash may be flowing into department stores and grocery stores and spent on the holidays, which is fine.

But what happens later when what would have been raises in housing allowances are not there?

There’s no guarantee that Congress will add extra funds in future budgets, but it’s almost certain the costs associated with housing will go up.

Anybody got a pup tent?

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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.

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