Related to that is Long Term Disability insurance. The federal government protects these insurance companies under the ERISA statutes. ERISA which was set up to protect all retirement related benefits was legislated by our pious lawmakers to protect some of their major donors - the LTD insurance companies.

My wife had an accident at work in 1999 which caused inoperable herniatation in the thoracic part of her spine. After years of a productive life and career she was ordered by several specialists to never work again without risking a life threatening operation. Her company's LTD insurance company denied her all benefits. They never looked at her MRIs, never spoke to any of her physicians, never sent he to any of their bogus insurance doctors, and based their entire decision on a video of her going to and from her physical therapy.

Outrageous but perfectly legal action on their part. It forces the insured to retain an attorney and sue the insurance company which takes years. It took over 4 years and a federal judge delivered what is now a landmark decision that lambasted the insurance company. But I could afford to do that because my wife's income was not critical to us.

These LTD insurance companies do this to average hardworking people who are the breadwinners, do not have 401K's and live hand to mouth. Typically they quickly lose everything including their home and end up on welfare because they cannot afford to fight these companies for 3-4 years.

Also the definition of a "surge" is something that rises and falls. The 30,000 troop withdrawal and its timing was always part of their plan whether it was working or not working. If it were reported that it was not working then Bush would admit to it, blame the Iraqi government and tell announce a staged withdrawal. Either way he was going to use this to his advantage.