I can't believe it. It seems like some Orwellian fantasy, but Congress is trying to control salaries across the board. It's like we awoke from a bad dream and discovered we now live in a socialist "worker's paradise."

I'm frustrated. I can't write, I'm so .... argh! Go read -- Beyond AIG: A Bill to let Big Government Set Your Salary.

There are times when I look at the extraordinary efforts being exerted on my behalf by members of the armed forces in places hither and yon and I am filled with an overwhelming desire to do something for those who are wounded in their efforts -- something to show appreciation, in some small way, for the heroic sacrifices of life and limb to protect my liberty and to extend freedom around the globe.

I don't want to get off on a rant here, but don't you have the slightest inclination to lend a hand to those who have already lent an arm and a leg (and sometimes both) to us in the name of liberty? I don't know what kind of crazy sweater the Norns have woven for me that I haven't been put in harm's way -- after 15 years of service in the Army, you'd think I was due to have my tour of duty in the far-flung places of the world where the men are bad and the personal hygiene is worse. You'd think that I was about due to be cross-stitched into the mayhem our armed forces endure on a regular basis. I thank God both that I haven't been thrust into this global kerfuffle and, at the same time, wish I were already hip-deep in the fray.

So, what's a frustrated old soldier to do? Play golf? Actually, that's the ticket. USA Cares, a nonprofit organization that helps frustrated individuals like myself provide care for wounded veterans (and their families), is hosting a golf scramble on Thursday, Arpil 2nd at the Covered Bridge Golf Club in Sellersburg, IN (outside Louisville, KY). The golf scramble is to raise funds for USA Cares who, as previously mentioned, provides financial assistance to wounded veterans to cover medical bills, pay housing costs, and provide for daily necessities. For wounded veterans, it is mightily difficult at times to keep up with daily finances when you're struggling to pay for therapy sessions to deal with your post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Or you can't make your car payment because you have to pay to have your prosthetic leg fixed after taking a tumble.

But this is not just some other golf scramble. The USA Cares event will feature the King of Rant himself, Dennis Miller. Mr. Miller will be present for both the golf scramble as well as for a dinner afterward where he will, no doubt, practice his linguistic legerdemain. I can assure you, it will be an afternoon to remember.

USA Cares is still looking for golfers, hole sponsors, and non-golfing dinner attendees. If you are at all interested in either attending this event, or in supporting USA Cares' efforts generally, please don't hesitate to contact me. There are over 16,000 veterans who have been assisted by USA Cares in the past 6 years and there are countless more who still need assistance. Step into the breach and put yourself on the line for those who have held the line against tyranny and desctruction.

But enough from me, what do you think?

As I mentioned in my blog post yesterday, I've been volunteering with USA Cares. Their latest campaign -- 50-50 -- is to get 100 people to donate $5 in 50 states over the course of 50 days -- that's $25,000. Donations are made specifically by texting from your cellular phone. But we still need someone to coordinate the campaign in each state. The following states are still in need of a volunteer coordinator: MD, NJ, OK, SD, CT, IA, MI, AR, ID, MN, WI, NE, RI, UT, WV, ME, SC, and WY.

Through the miracle of Twitter, I was able to find someone to cover Missouri just yesterday. I'm working on bringing USA Cares into the Twitter-verse. I think it will be a boon for us.

If you can volunteer to help USA Cares with their 50-50 campaign, please e-mail me. Thanks.

Many of you already know that I am a soldier. I have over 15 years of service in the U.S. Army, Army Reserves and National Guard. I'm a lifer. So soldiers are near and dear to my heart. We've sweated and bled together. Because of this I have recently become involved with an organization that goes out of its way to help soldiers, sailors, marines, and airmen alike in their time of need.

I recently began volunteering with USA Cares. USA Cares is a non-profit organization that helps veterans in three areas. First, they help combat injured veterans by making grants to help cover their medical needs. Second, USA Cares helps veterans by providing housing assistance grants and financial counseling to keep veterans and their families in their homes or apartments. And finally, USA Cares' "Quality of Life" program helps to provide daily necessities for veterans until they can get back on their feet.

I have read USA Cares' external audits -- they are very fiscally sound. Over 90% of all donations are given out to help veterans. That means that the administrative staff operates on less than 10% of the money that has been donated. Not many non-profits can say that. The first and foremost mission of USA Cares is to help veterans -- period! USA Cares is an organization that I am proud of and I am volunteering my time to help however I can. that's saying something! Because, as some of you know, I'm unemployed. My time comes at a premium.

This is the part where I ask for your help. So, for the squeamish ones out there, please skip to the end.

How can you help USA Cares? Thanks for asking (I love you guys). Donations can be made at the website -- usacares.org. But you can also make donations this very moment. Text "VET" to 90999 on your cell phones and $5 will be sent to USA Cares. In fact, I'm looking for help throughout the US with this texting project.

USA Cares is preparing to roll out its 50-50 program. 50-50 is short for "50 States in 50 Days." We want to get volunteers to help us coordinate a 50-day fund-raising drive in all 50 states. Our goal is to raise at least $25,000 by getting at least 100 people to donate $5 via texting in each state of the union. That's 100 people, $5 each ($500 so far), and 50 states (voila! $25,000 -- I know... multiplication). But we still need volunteers in several states to coordinate the effort. Specifically, we need volunteers in: MD, NJ, OK, SD, CT, IA, MI, AR, ID, MN, WI, MO, NE, RI, UT, WV, ME, SC, and WY. That's 20 states out of 50! Please send me an e-mail if you're interested in helping. Volunteers will receive plenty of support in marketing the efforts in each state. You won't want for assistance in this effort, but we need warm bodies to get the work done. And soon! USA Cares hopes to start 50-50 on April 1st.

Please let the veterans know that you appreciate their sacrifices. Text "VET" to 90999! Go to the website -- usacares.org -- and donate!

Thanks.

UPDATE 1: We've found our volunteer to coordinate our 50-50 campaign in Delaware. Just since this morning! But we still need another 19 volunteers (minimum). Contact me!

A UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter takes off on a mission to transport soldiers of the 1204th Aviation Support Battalion to their home station in Independence, Ky. on Monday, Feb. 2, 2009.